Chief Of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has narrated how Nigeria’s progressive diplomacy under the current administration has provided the opportunity for Nigerians to hold key leadership positions in the world.
Gambari said this in Abuja, Saturday, while delivering a paper at a book presentation on “Multilateralism in the Contemporary World” to mark the 2021 public lecture series on the Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA).
He listed cerebral Nigerians who had benefitted from the country’s diplomatic strategy on global matters to include President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Director-General of World Trade Organization, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-lweala and Director-General of OPEC, Mohammed Barkindo among several top names.
In his speech titled “Continuity and Change in Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Muhammadu Buhari”, the Chief of Staff said: “There are however some international events that shaped Nigeria’s path to progressive diplomacy which are largely attributable to Mr President’s personality and character. His pre-inaugural visitations to our neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Benin Republics as well as Cameroon after Mr President’s victory in 2015 elections led to the re-constitution of the multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the expansion of its mandate to fight insecurity in the sub-region more concertedly.
“The other event was the AfDB election in 2015, President Buhari’s strong support for the nomination by his predecessor in Office of Dr Akinwumi Adesina and campaigning for him, ultimately assured his victory.”
Gambari also explained how Buhari’s masterstroke in diplomacy helped Nigeria to clinch the Position of Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union, and Ngozi Okonjo-lweala’ ascendency as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO.
“When Nigeria expressed interest in fielding a candidate for the position of Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union, Nigeria’s adroit diplomacy came to play once again, when all ECOWAS countries stepped down for Nigeria’s candidate, who obtained the support of ALL the African Union member-countries to clinch the position on 6th February 2021.
“Finally, Nigeria hits the world, making waves on the nomination of former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-lweala as WTO Director-General.
“The switch of candidates by Nigeria was seen as a master-stroke that finally paid off earlier this week when she got the endorsement to be the first African and first Lady to Head the World Trade Organisation.” Gambari said.
He also listed other Nigerians who had gained international repute due to the country’s strong positioning in international diplomacy.
“Similarly, Nigeria saw the emergence of other notable Nigerians assuming top positions in international organisations. They include Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Professor Benedict Oramah, President, AFREXIM Bank, Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary-General Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Others are Chief Chile Ebeo-Osuji, a Judge at the International Criminal Court, at The Hague, Dr OloruntimiBadero. and the World’s First international Cardio-nephrologist”. Gambari explained.
He explained that even though the foreign policy of Nigeria has remained the same over the years, “it has been Buhari’s leadership style and personal drive that has made all the difference.
“All of these change-factors, define the Buhari Administration in spite of the fact that our Foreign Policy objectives remain essentially the same. Methodology of approaches, style of leadership and personal drive by President Buhari, has earned him not only respect and admiration by his peers but have cumulatively brought honour and glories to Nigeria despite the continuity of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy. The priority of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under the Buhari’s administration, remains unarguably, the national security and reduction of corruption through the re-engineering of the nation’s economy.” He said.
