FG seeks reciprocity in foreign relations
The principle of reciprocity will now be the guiding philosophy in Nigeria's foreign relations, the permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said.
Baba-Ahmad told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja at the weekend that the ministry had received ''specific instruction'' from President Olusegun Obasanjo on the matter.
He said the president had directed the ministry to entrench the principle to promote, safeguard and protect Nigeria's interests locally and internationally.
The permanent secretary was reacting to criticisms that Nigeria had been running a ''Father Christmas'' foreign policy by sinking enormous resources in bilateral and multilateral agencies without anything to show for it.
The criticisms reached a peak early this month when the ECOWAS Council of Ministers approved the relocation of the ECOWAS Parliament from Nigeria to Cote d'Ivoire.
The secretary general's seat was similarly taken away from Nigeria and given to Guinea.
The critics had alleged a gang-up of Francophone countries against Nigeria, arguing that the developments were unsavoury to the country which funds 72 per cent of the ECOWAS budget.
Nigeria is followed by Senegal and Ghana which pay nine and eight per cent respectively.
But Baba-Ahmad declined to comment on the developments in the ECOWAS parliament, saying Nigeria was a participant in the current structural reforms aimed at repositioning the sub-regional grouping for greater efficacy.
He gave an assurance that the reforms would not hurt Nigeria's interests, stressing that his ministry would protect the country and its citizens ''wherever they may be''.
The official, however, cautioned Nigerians against reducing the conduct of foreign policy to purely tangible gains.
''If you reduce foreign policy issues to direct physical gains you will have a big problem; the issue is more complicated than that.
Speaking specifically on Africa, he said that Nigeria's position as a leader had made it necessary for it to continue to invest in the continent.
''Nigeria is a leader; it has to be a leader and shall continue to be leader in Africa.
''God in his infinite mercy gave Nigeria all it requires to be a leader and we must not shirk that responsibility,'' he said.
Baba-Ahmad said Obasanjo had positioned Nigeria to lead Africa and added that history would always be on Nigeria's side in view of its role in Africa's growth.
On his ministry's merger with that of Cooperation and Integration in Africa, the permanent secretary said it would ensure greater attention to Africa in the areas of economy, peace and security.