The Federal Government has unveiled the new foreign policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led Administration anchored on a four-leg strategic pillar targeted at strengthening democracy and bolstering development, demography and diaspora affairs in Nigeria and on the African continent.
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, while speaking at the launch of the new foreign policies codenamed 4Ds, on Monday in Abuja, stated that the President Bola Tinubu 4Ds Foreign Policy Exhibition provided a dynamic and unique concept that showcases ‘Nigeria’s history and diplomatic engagements.’
Read also: Tinubu directs power transfer to Ondo deputy governor
The Minister also said the foreign policy document was unique because it provided the ambience to crystalise the rich cultural heritage, values, and aspirations of the people of Nigeria, while stressing that Nigeria as the most populous black nation in the world was made up of people bound by common history, diverse cultures, yet, united together for development, peace, progress and prosperity.
Tuggar explained that Nigeria and indeed, Africa’s development, depended increasingly on a new line of vision which had been well articulated in President Tinubu’s new Foreign Policy Concept.”In the same vein, this exhibition has been carefully set up to, among others, showcase Nigeria’s history and diplomatic engagements,” he said.
Articulating the 4Ds foreign policies, the Miinister noted that the Tinubu’s Administration was committed to upholding and strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in Africa as the best form of Government that could serve good of the people, noting that the recent wave of unconstitutional change of democratically-elected governments in some African countries was not in our best interest.
“Democracy has come to stay as the universally-accepted form of governance that guarantees freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. However, within the ambit of democracy comes the burden of ensuring its viability and functionality to embrace divergent interests, and ensuring that democratic institutions are strengthened to serve the collective interests of the people,” he noted.
Tuggar further said development was the second key component of the foreign policy document, stating the this would be pursued by ensuring the removal of impediments that have stifled growth in Africa generally.
He said the Federal Government would seek opportunities to accelerate socio-economic development on the continent through economic cooperation, investments, fair trade, global health, transparency and capacity building among others.
“There is a need for the removal of major impediments to development in Nigeria and the African continent, as the continuous cycle of dependency does not favour our socio-economic growth and development. We intend to, among others, leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to facilitate the exchange of goods and services while fast-track trade and investments, through economic cooperation, fair trade, global health initiatives, stable and transparent global governance, building capacity for entrenching sustainable socio-economic development.
“We also intend to engage with the need for the reform of international financial institutions to make them fit for purpose for the benefit of all, ensuring that no one is left behind. We will continue to emphasise that the world is as strong as its weakest link,” he stated.
Expatiating on the third component – demography – the Minister said the new foreign policies would harness the enormous power of Nigeria’s vibrant young people for national development.
He said, “We are happy to state that the youth population of this country is soaring high in Fintech, Music, Arts, Sports, and so on. Our foreign policy and diplomatic engagements will be used to showcase the vibrant young talents and skills that our young population possesses for national development.”
Tuggar also stated that focus on the Nigerian diaspora community to continue to play a key role in national socio-economic development was also pivotal in the new policy doctrine.
Read also: Tinubu seeks swift Senate approval for new NUPRC commissioners, others
“It is also important to underscore the fact that the Nigerian diaspora community plays a pivotal role in the development of the nation. These hardworking Nigerians all over the world have demonstrated in different capacities their talents and skills and have, in turn, been great ambassadors of this great nation. Notably, the remittances of Nigerians living in the diaspora have become a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
“Mr President acknowledges this and believes firmly that a well-structured diaspora community will continue to be a catalyst for Nigeria’s imaging and a veritable source for direct investment, given their unmatched expertise in different fields of endeavour”, he said.
The eminent guests present at the event included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and top officials of the ministry.
