The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has lauded the foreign service officers for inaugurating the Academy of International Affairs, saying that it has the potential to make improvements in the management of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
The Vice President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, at the inauguration of the Academy in Abuja on Monday, said that it emerged at a time when it was needed
most.
He said: “The international environment is becoming increasingly complex and more demanding of our best intellects, professionalism, commitments, and visions to find spaces within areas demanding consensus or in competitions with others and managing conflicts.
“Nigeria lives with historic limitations and multiple contemporary challenges, and we will not claim that we are self-sufficient in answers to dealing with poverty levels, limited resources for critical infrastructure, and raising skilled and educated younger Nigerians.”
Shettima told the foreign service officers that Nigeria needed their input in addressing some of the challenges it is facing.
“We will leave our doors open to this academy for ideas and recommendations. This academy will be a think tank we cannot afford to ignore. We need your input on achieving our priorities in the context of often harsh and unforgiving circumstances.
“This administration acknowledges the severity of our challenges, although we are also convinced that Nigeria will survive its current challenges. What we need is faith and support, the same assets that saw us through major challenges in the past.
“We need to begin to think of a future full of opportunities as well. In the next two decades, Nigeria will have one of the largest, youngest, and most enterprising populations in a world that will be ageing and changing.”
Also, the former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, advised the officers to collaborate with the Tinubu-led administration to ensure that Nigeria remains a global voice.
“This is timely when our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the leader of ECOWAS and quite visibly promoting Nigeria’s global image and all efforts to save ECOWAS.
“While there are several government agencies that are created to perform vital roles in formulating and implementing foreign policy, the wisdom and experience of private citizens with many years of foreign service are invaluable.
“I therefore urge you, Academy for International Affairs, to offer your services and collaborate with this and successive administrations to ensure that Nigeria’s rightful place as a global voice and leader is secured at all times.”
The founder of AIA, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said, “In setting up this academy, we are not only doing Nigeria a favour, but we are doing ourselves a favour.
“I hope that in our activities, this mutual favour will manifest itself in cooperation.”
Twenty-four fellows, four honorary fellows, and two ordinary fellows were inducted into the academy.
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