The federal government yesterday unveiled a new foreign policy the “4Ds”, which is primarily aimed at taking advantage of Nigeria’s relationship with other countries of the world.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, while presenting the new policy to the diplomatic community with over 160 heads of missions and relevant stakeholders gathered at the event in Abuja, stated that the new policy document provides a dynamic and new concept anchored on Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora.
Minister Tuggar had on assumption of office has announced the new policy, stressing that the 4Ds would be pursued “unrelatedly by bringing modern solutions to address complex challenges for national development.
The official launching therefore was expected the give the Minister the momentum to practically drive the new policy to an enviable height.
He maintained that Nigeria and indeed, Africa’s development hinges greatly on a new line of vision already articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new foreign policy concept.
Minister Tuggar added that democracy has come to stay as the universally acceptable form of government; that which guarantees freedom, human rights and the rule of law. He also expressed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Africa.
He reiterated that in spite of its challenges, democracy must be upheld by the people as the best form of government to champion the will of the people.
The formal launching and presentation of the “Atrium” showcased an initiative that engages creative and innovative twist to promote Nigeria’s strategic interest to local and international communities.
The Minister said: “Being the largest democracy on the continent, the President’s keen interest in democracy as one of the 4Ds, is underscored by the opportunities that come with it as well as the challenges that confront it, especially in places where we are currently witnessing recourse to the unconstitutional change of government.
“This tendency which was initially localized in West Africa, appears to be gaining momentum as echoes of the coup attempt in Guatemala in South America rented the airwaves recently. For us as a country, democracy is what we have and what we must cherish. We will continue to encourage this both in Africa and across the world.
“There is need for the removal of major impediments to development in Nigeria and the African continent, as the continuous cycle of dependency does not favour our socio-economic growth and development.”
The Minister also harped on the need to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) to facilitate the exchange of goods and services while fast-track trade and investments through economic cooperation, fair trade, global health initiatives, stable and transparent global governance as well as building capacity for entrenching sustainable socio-economic development.
“Our population is currently estimated to be over 200 million people. This alludes to the country’s greatness and how its human capital endowment can be harnessed for national development, which informs the importance accorded to the 4-Ds
Foreign Policy of the President. We are happy to state that the youth population of this country is soaring high in Fintech, Music, Arts and Sports.”
“It is also important to underscore the fact that Nigerian Diaspora community plays a pivotal role in the development of the nation. These hardworking Nigerians all over the world have demonstrated in different capacities, their talents and skills and have in turn, been great ambassadors of this great nation.”
The Minister appreciated that the remittances of Nigerians living abroad is a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.