Does size count?
Recently, I traveled to my home town to feel the
breeze of a village atmosphere. In our compound we have some domestic animals
and I love watching them display their skills. A particular fowl caught my
attention. Its two legs are bent front wards making it walk with its knees, which are
behind. The interesting thing is that this local fowl, which is small, fights
the big agricultural fowls to enable it eat as much as it can. The bigger fowls have
to think twice before coming close to eat the food that is kept for them
because they are afraid of what this small disabled local fowl will do to them.
Funny, isn’t it?
Is it by Size or the Content?
International politics shouldn’t be on the basis of
size or population. It should be about the wisest, smartest and the strongest. International
relation is the relationship that exists between states, non-governmental organizations,
multinational co operations, etc. It calls for the need to address the mutual
relationship among the various entities in the international community. Nigeria was a founding member of the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) and has oftentimes channeled major policy
initiatives through that organization. As the most populous country in Africa,
with population of about 186 million, Nigeria is one of the most visible
African states in the international community. Nigeria was seen as the Giant of
Africa because of its strength and resources and therefore was expected to play
a big brother role in its relations with other African countries. Nigeria has
thrived to play this role in the time past as the giant it was known for and is
still playing this role in the recent times, but on a maintenance, cover up and
defense capacity. Nigeria ought by now to quit relying on its size that makes
it the giant but to concentrate on adding value to its size. Other African
countries are coming up and there is no law that mandates them to keep bowing
down to a Goliath with empty threats, who was defeated after all by David’s sling.
Can we take the bull by the horn?
Nigeria’s
international relations is guided by certain principles which are spelt out in
section 19 of the 1999 constitution; but like all other laws and guiding
principles, they are just theories and are not being put in practice.
One
of the guiding principles is the Promotion and protection of national interest.
From the look of things in Nigeria, selfish interest is rather being promoted.
Ignorant Nigerians sing praises to their lords who do nothing but seek every
possible means of diverting public funds for their private ambitions. An Igbo
adage says: “The one whose house is on fire does not pursue rats”. Between African
nations, Nigeria ought to be in the fore front in terms of International
politics, it is expected, but she should first promote and protect its national
interest. Nigeria’s pride and reputation is at stake in international relations
and politics and need to be redeemed. Nigerian youths are running away from
this country, not for international relations purposes but to run away from
unending struggles; which exposes them to more dangers. Yet, Nigeria thinks
they are fit to interfere in international politics or matters. A country;
whether Nigeria or another, where official armed robbers, thieves, kidnappers
and murderers arrest, prosecute and sentence to death the unofficial ones is
not fit yet to feature in international politics.
How many errors can we cover?
Consequently,
another principle is the promotion of African integration and support for
African unity. Any African country that has failed in promoting the integration
of its tribes is not fit to interfere in the matters of African integration. Presently,
Nigeria is thriving in the leadership of hate, vengeance and discrimination.
Nigerian politicians smile and open their palms to everyone, irrespective of
tribe, only when election is approaching. After the elections, all favours and
considerations go to the domain fraction of the government in power. Presently,
Nigerian government in power is bent on giving major national appointments to
those from his national fraction, who he believes are the wisest. What good can
this leadership contribute to the promotion of African integration or to
support African unity? Recently,
President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that all Africans wishing to visit Kenya
be issued with Visas, Rwanda is doing the same. Where is Nigeria? While
Nigerians are busy living in their past glories, priding under the weight of
giant of Africa, other African countries are busy strategizing to take the
lead.
Peace is very costly
Moreover,
Promotion of international cooperation for the consolidation of universal peace
and mutual respect among all nations, and elimination of discrimination in all
its manifestation is another guiding principle. Nigeria has enormous resources
and great manpower, enough to stand out in international relations but her
leaders, past and present has failed her again and again. With all the money embezzled
by Nigerian leaders, looted out of the shores of Nigeria, and used to build
idle castles and empires; both known and unknown to the citizens, Nigeria
should be rubbing shoulders with America and Europe if those funds were put to
good use, but this is not the case. Our leaders travel to the developed
countries so often, with their entourage, to make the outside world believe
that it is okay when in fact it is far from being okay. They travel for
conferences, vacation, and funny enough for proper medical treatment and
education, which they have denied those they govern. For these reasons and
more, Nigerian’s hope of being among the top participants in international
relations is far from being realized.
It’s not by Words
On
the other hand, there is “respect for international law and treaty obligations
as well as the seeking of settlement of international disputes by negotiation,
mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication” in Nigeria’s guiding
principle of international relations. How can Nigeria achieve these with
leadership of theories? Where were all these grammar of negotiation, mediation,
conciliation, arbitration and adjudication when IPOB were agitating for
referendum? What happened to those grammars in the case of Niger Delta
insurgency? Have our leaders been able to address the Fulani herdsmen war against
the indigenes of the communities they parade freely to feed their cows? What
about the deadly Boko Haram sect? All these matters are being treated or
handled sentimentally, and based on favoritism and selfishness; so how can we
solve the similar issues as relates to Africa and international community?
Is this realistic?
I
am sure that the remaining guiding principle which is that of “Promotion of a
just world economic order” will not be realistic for Nigerians as long as the Sharia
or Islamic banking system is in place. The
Islamic banking system is a religious financial system and in Nigeria and the
world at large, there is no one religion. With it in place, Nigeria cannot
boast of her ability to promote a just world economic order. To be able to
promote a just world economic order, a country’s economic system ought to be
free from any religious, ethnic/tribal, etc bias.
Yes we can
It’s high time Nigeria stop boasting about size and start
working on improving its manpower through quality, consistent education and
creating enabling environment that encourages investment and development. Our
foreign policy should be geared towards promotion of our cultural image and
dignity, then, Nigerians shall be fit to compete with the international
community. It is achievable today if we stick to the laws of Nigeria without
prejudice and selfishness.
Written by Olive
Chinyere Amajuoyi
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