NDC Makes Foreign Policy Roundtable Prerequisite
With the desire to contribute towards producing appropriate foreign policy by the relevant stakeholders for the Nigerian nation, National Defence College Nigeria under the auspice of its Commandant, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo is poised to continue making the conduct of foreign policy roundtable a prerequisite. The Commandant revealed this when the Executive Council of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) led by its Chairman, Ambassador John Kayode Shinkaiye paid him a courtesy visit in the College’s Conference Hall.
The Commandant asserted that the Nigerian foreign policy is being misunderstood mostly. He then observed that the foreign policy of other countries as it affects Nigeria should be allowed to determine Nigerian foreign policy as it affects that same country. Rear Admiral Osinowo further asserted that the Nigerian nation at this point in time is in dear need of the knowledge and experiences of the members of ARCAN on foreign policy formulation. “Therefore, your forum should not fail to advise the government as appropriate in terms of foreign policy in its dynamic nature, the world over. We are today getting what we are seeing in the developed world in your forum,” he added.
He reiterated that the College is adding value in capacity building through its Centre for Research and Strategic Studies by conducting relevant researches that are being sponsored by the College in conjunction with other foreign governments, organizations and agencies. He then said, “We shall continue to partner with your forum in that regard. Once again, be reassured of our readiness to work with your forum,” he further said.
While delivering the ARCAN mission address earlier on, Ambassador Shinkaiye traced the history of the Association to 1984 when it was established with its headquarters at Lagos as a non-profit and non-political oriented voluntary forum that was geared towards fostering a resounding foreign policies for the Nigerian nation through advises that may resonate through its members’ knowledge and experiences as retired career ambassadors. It was in this vein, that he disclosed that the body was making deliberate effort to advise the government on the on-going issue of accepting or not accepting Morocco as a member nation of AU. Ambassador Shinkaiye asserted that accepting Morocco as a member nation of the AU may add nothing positive to the Union, rather than to take advantage of the well-organized organization in the AU. “The issue must be properly examined before any decisive resolution is being reached on this matter,” he earnestly advised.
He commended the College for reaching out to many African countries through its geo-strategic regional study tour and expressed hope that the College would continue to maintain relationship with its international participants at all level in the light of encouraging positive foreign relations with other countries as the participating individuals exceeded beyond Africa to Asia and other nations of the world. “More so, we hope that their perception about Nigeria will change positively after staying one year in the country during the duration of the course,” he added further.
