International Affairs Analyst, Dr. Adoyi Omale has praised Tinubu’s historic UK visit, describing it as “very good for our diplomacy,” while also noting it strengthens Nigeria-Britain ties after 37 years.
The Analyst said this while discussing with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday.
“This type of engagement after 37 years is a long, long period. And it’s instructive that at this point in time, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been invited by the British Crown, and this is very good for our diplomacy”, he stated.
Dr. Omale emphasized that economic diplomacy is key to making Nigeria-UK relations mutually beneficial.
“With the various reforms that have been introduced in the country in terms of opening up the economy, creating a conducive environment for Foreign Direct Investment and so on, that may attract a lot of FDIs, Foreign Direct Investment, from the British economy. Britain is also trying to reach out to their former allies, former colonies and others in the spirit of Commonwealth to see how they can expand their economic base and also leverage on the existing relationship so as to also to boost their economy.
“I learn that their GDP had been falling tremendously since they exited the Brexit, and they have to also seek for new partnership, new collaboration, new opportunity. And I think that is why this type of approach has been made to Nigeria, which we have to take with both hands”, he said.
Citing the recent Maiduguri explosion, Dr. Omale emphasized the urgency of seeking international support in the President’s UK visit.
“What I expect from our President, especially against the backdrop of the recent explosion in Maiduguri where scores were killed, is that he has to seek for international assistance, especially from the UK. Assistance in the area of getting more sophisticated equipment, collaborating in terms of intelligence sharing and gathering, and also to also ensure that some of our military leaders are trained on counter-terrorism measures”, he advised.
Acknowledging public concerns over the timing of President Tinubu’s UK visit and the Maiduguri explosion, Dr. Omale said the President must continue diplomatic efforts, stressing that the UK visit is vital for building international collaboration on security,
“Since security is one of the key issues that is going to be talked about at this high-level diplomatic engagement, it is only right that the President will have to go and to see how we can build international synergy on how this insecurity can be tackled.”
Dr. Omale further stated that the visit should focus on attracting foreign investment.
“What I expect from this visit is that we definitely need foreign investment in our country. We need to assure the international community of our preparedness to open up our economy, to ensure that investments that are coming in are safe. And that is why the issue of security, the issue of creating an enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment is very important”, he said.
Responding to concerns about Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, Dr. Omale noted that Nigeria’s democracy is thriving and enduring, despite concerns.
“I think our democracy is thriving, it is enduring. The only thing is the players in the system—many of them are trying to undermine the system.”
He explained further: “The many of the players, the political players. In terms of cross-carpeting, in terms of some of the shenanigans that have been playing out, inability to properly conduct the affairs of the political parties by themselves and so on. So all these have been playing out. We need the British assistance especially in the area of building capacity of political parties, which I know the international community through many non-governmental organizations have been doing, but a lot still need to be done. Most of the parties are relatively still weak. They’ve not been able to institute democratic ethos into their operation. Also, the electoral management body also need to be strengthened.”
He emphasized that working with Britain will help strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and provide support in managing population growth.
“Collaboration with Britain will also help strengthen the electoral process. So we have a lot to learn from the British democracy. And the issue of demography, we also need their support to be able to contain some of the population explosion that is going on”, he concluded.
Favour Odima
Follow us on:
