By Abuja, Nigeria
The Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN) has charge various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and relevant stakeholders to leverage on democratic opportunities to address challenges facing democratic governance in Nigeria and Africa at large.
The body made the call during their 8th annual conference and lecture held on Thursday at the Rotunda Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Abuja, tagged, ” The Challenge of Democratic Governance in Africa; Mega Trends and Leveraging Opportunities for Consolidation.”
The keynote speaker, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye charge the relevant stakeholders not to see democracy as an event but a process. He added that despite the challenges faced in a democratic setting, the gains out weigh a military dictatorship and other undemocratic practices.
“How do we serve as guardians and interpreters of the Africa we want, Africa’s place in today’s world? It is therefore fitting for us to reflect on the theme for today, which is about democracy and governance, its challenges, but the opportunities that we face.”
“We have to continue to work on democracy. Because democracy, as you know, is not an event, it’s a process,” he added.
On his part, the Royal father of the day, Sarkin Kano, His Highness, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi while giving his Royal blessings and launching of compendium of (AFRPN), challenge the culture of appointments of non career ambassadors to mann the foreign affairs of the country. He maintained that such practice has not helped the country, calling on the government to appoint experts as diplomats to represent the country in foreign nations.
“I’m beginning to think that maybe these interesting times are there forever, that we live in interesting times and will continue to live in interesting times. After Trump, there will be something else. So what is really before us is how to navigate and to remember that at every point in time.”
“Whoever is entrusted with our foreign policy will need to have that intellectual agility to respond to new situations. Obviously the past will be aligned and the experience will be important and this is why this mentorship is important but we really need to make sure that we have career diplomats who are up to speed,” he maintained.
MI
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the President of (AFRPN), Ambassador Gani Lawal used the event to applaud Nigerians for rejecting undemocratic means to governance.
“To sustain our democratic governance in the last 27 years, after several crashes of military inter-regnum, turning British foreign policy into a storm of international politics. Today, we give gratitude to God that we have successfully unfurled the enshrined rule of law and democratic governance in our country.”
