An expert in international relatons of the University of Port-Harcourt, Dr. Stanley I. Okoroafor, has advised the federal government not to rely on other countries in international relation, but look inwards and come up with policies that will develop the people.
Speaking on the country’s 60th independence anniversary, Dr. Okoroafor, who is of the department of History and Diplomatic Studies, said that the country should be careful in its diplomatic overtures.
Dr. Okoroafor who is formerly head of the department noted that the government should come up with policies that would mean that the people would see themselves as the centre of development not relying on other countries in diplomatic relations.
The expert in diplomatic relations said: “We had always over the years canvassed for Nigerian government to be careful in its diplomatic overtures. Nigeria is one of the developing countries. You (the country) should be mindful to know that you have much of the destiny of your people in your own hands (so) you don’t have to rely on what comes out from other places, Nigeria should look inwards. They shouldn’t try to use dependency approach that you just have to rely on people from outside (that) if the West doesn’t give a nod then you don’t go”.
He said that the country should use the experience gained in sixty years of its independence to harness the resources of the country to make the country great.
The expert in diplomatic studies said: “The best thing you should do is to use the knowledge you acquired so far sixty years is not six days. We have learnt so much in international relations in the sociopolitical, in fact political economy of the world that we could use all those to harness the resources in our land and make our place great”.
Okoroafor said that the country’s destiny should not be in the hands of other nations, saying that it was time the country should stop moving forward with the idea of the Commonwealth.
He said developed countries are always ready to dominate and take advantage of situations in their relations with other countries and advised the federal government to avoid any pitfalls in its international relations.
On the continent’s colonial history, Dr. Okoroafor said that Nnamdi Azikiwe and other nationalists led the struggle for Nigeria’s independence in 1960 while Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana led the independence struggle in that country leading to their independence in 1957.
He said Nigeria was at the forefront to liberate other countries still under colonial rule after its independence.
He said that Nigeria benefited from the US Big Brother role but noted that military authorities ruined the relationship when it put in detention the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, making the US to slam sanctions against the country.
He said that the country should be careful how it relates with other countries on the world stage.
