PRINCESS STELLA ODUAH
MOTION: Urgent Need to Re-Assess Nigeria's Foreign Policy Objectives in Line with Emerging Economic Realities
The Senate:
Notes that prior to Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, our fundamental foreign policy principles have remained unchanged. Rather, every succeeding administration in the country has come up with new circumstantial mechanisms aimed at achieving our foreign policy goals.
Further notes that the fundamental principles and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy invented by the first Prime Minister of Nigeria – Alhaji Sir Tafawa Balewa, have remained unaltered irrespective of the different change in government till date. These leaders demonstrated serious commitment to these guiding principles of our foreign policy which is clearly spelt out in Section 19(a-e) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which includes:
the promotion and protection of our national interest, promotion of African integration and support for African unity;
promotion of international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations;
respect for international law and treaty obligations as well as the seeking of settlement of international disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication; and
promotion of a just world economic order.
Also aware that Nigeria has played several pivotal roles based on her foreign policy thrust for African countries and the world at large, like ending apartheid in South Africa, bringing about peace and stability in Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Gambia and in many other African countries just to mention but a few.
Further aware that at the international scene, Nigeria is one of the major troop-contributing nations to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations around the world and is globally recognized for her readiness and commitment, which began even months before our nation gained independence, when participating in UN Peacekeeping Operations in the Congo called, “Operations des Nations unies au Congo” in 1960.
Worried that notwithstanding our nation’s vital roles in Africa and the world at large, some of our citizens who reside in some of these countries are treated with disdain. So many of our nationals have been killed or maimed for reasons that are despicable. The xenophobic attack by South Africans against Nigerians who live and conduct legitimate businesses in their midst is still fresh in our minds. Moreso, from Kenya to the Maghreb and across Southern Africa, discrimination against Nigerians and other non-nationals have been on the rise, as can be seen in various international media reports.
Concerned that Section 14(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. This shows that the welfare and security of lives of all Nigerians wherever they are resident in the world shall be the core responsibility of the government of the day through our foreign missions abroad.
Further concerned that many Nigerians living abroad face harsh economic conditions from their host countries and sometimes, their efforts to get relief from our foreign missions abroad don’t usually get the much needed attention.
Accordingly resolves to:
Call on the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and any other relevant Committee to investigate several alleged maltreatment and killing of Nigerians abroad as well as take into consideration the Doctrine of Diplomatic Reciprocity in its activities and report back to the Senate within four (4) weeks;
Call on the Federal government (Executive) to reassess our foreign policy objectives in a hostile, unstable and competitive global environment which operates on the principle of survival of the fittest to ensure that Nigerian investors/businessmen are accorded the right of first refusal especially in those countries where Nigeria fought tirelessly for their liberation, emancipation, freedom, peace and security;
Implore the federal government to, going forward, imbed Nigeria’s economic interest as a vital component of our foreign policy objectives especially in countries where the nation invested her enormous human and material resources to restore security, peace, stability and democracy as the era of our Father Christmas Diplomacy is certainly over.
Distinguished Senator Princess Stella Oduah, OON
The Senate:
Notes that prior to Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, our fundamental foreign policy principles have remained unchanged. Rather, every succeeding administration in the country has come up with new circumstantial mechanisms aimed at achieving our foreign policy goals.
Further notes that the fundamental principles and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy invented by the first Prime Minister of Nigeria – Alhaji Sir Tafawa Balewa, have remained unaltered irrespective of the different change in government till date. These leaders demonstrated serious commitment to these guiding principles of our foreign policy which is clearly spelt out in Section 19(a-e) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which includes:
the promotion and protection of our national interest, promotion of African integration and support for African unity;
promotion of international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations;
respect for international law and treaty obligations as well as the seeking of settlement of international disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication; and
promotion of a just world economic order.
Also aware that Nigeria has played several pivotal roles based on her foreign policy thrust for African countries and the world at large, like ending apartheid in South Africa, bringing about peace and stability in Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Gambia and in many other African countries just to mention but a few.
Further aware that at the international scene, Nigeria is one of the major troop-contributing nations to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations around the world and is globally recognized for her readiness and commitment, which began even months before our nation gained independence, when participating in UN Peacekeeping Operations in the Congo called, “Operations des Nations unies au Congo” in 1960.
Worried that notwithstanding our nation’s vital roles in Africa and the world at large, some of our citizens who reside in some of these countries are treated with disdain. So many of our nationals have been killed or maimed for reasons that are despicable. The xenophobic attack by South Africans against Nigerians who live and conduct legitimate businesses in their midst is still fresh in our minds. Moreso, from Kenya to the Maghreb and across Southern Africa, discrimination against Nigerians and other non-nationals have been on the rise, as can be seen in various international media reports.
Concerned that Section 14(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. This shows that the welfare and security of lives of all Nigerians wherever they are resident in the world shall be the core responsibility of the government of the day through our foreign missions abroad.
Further concerned that many Nigerians living abroad face harsh economic conditions from their host countries and sometimes, their efforts to get relief from our foreign missions abroad don’t usually get the much needed attention.
Accordingly resolves to:
Call on the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and any other relevant Committee to investigate several alleged maltreatment and killing of Nigerians abroad as well as take into consideration the Doctrine of Diplomatic Reciprocity in its activities and report back to the Senate within four (4) weeks;
Call on the Federal government (Executive) to reassess our foreign policy objectives in a hostile, unstable and competitive global environment which operates on the principle of survival of the fittest to ensure that Nigerian investors/businessmen are accorded the right of first refusal especially in those countries where Nigeria fought tirelessly for their liberation, emancipation, freedom, peace and security;
Implore the federal government to, going forward, imbed Nigeria’s economic interest as a vital component of our foreign policy objectives especially in countries where the nation invested her enormous human and material resources to restore security, peace, stability and democracy as the era of our Father Christmas Diplomacy is certainly over.
Distinguished Senator Princess Stella Oduah, OON
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