By Kelechi Jeff Eme
The most difficult task of every new government in any clime is the navigation of international diplomatic terrain and its associated mine fields. Most times, third world countries are ruined by early missteps of inexperienced and wannabe operators.
Fortunately for Nigeria, the Tinubu administration leveraged on the uncommon experience and knowledge of His Excellency, Kashim Shettima to thaw down the iced diplomatic landscape inherited by the new government.
To the uninitiated, the international terrain in the past 4 months is normal and requires no extraordinary skills to manage. However, Nigeria sat on diplomatic gunpowder before 29th May, 2023. Only the well informed, understood the position of our country in the comity of nations.
His Excellency, the Vice President is the diplomatic battle axe deployed by President Bola Tinubu to manage the diplomatic arena until the appointment of a substantive Foreign Minister. Vice President Shettima conclusively showcased Nigeria as unaligned to any super power, whether real or imaginary powers.
Shettima was in Moscow during the Russo African summit and meritoriously positioned Nigeria as a country of intellectuals of supreme pedigree. He was unambiguous in demanding for a relationship that is built on respect and protection of mutual interests of both countries.
He emphasized on cooperation in science, research and technology, considering the desires of young Nigerians. He cleverly refused to dabble into unneeded controversies.
The BRICS meeting in South Africa was the platform Vice President Shettima used to consolidate his patriotic position as a firm believer in matters that promotes the supreme interest of Nigeria.
While many African and third world countries scrambled to be admitted into the membership of BRICS, the Nigerian delegation led by Shettima maintained a respectable position of “Observer Status” and never devalued the enviable respect Nigeria is known for.
His speech was centered on the maintenance of a fair and just world order, in which both the weak and the strong are wholly accommodated. He posited that economic development can only be meaningful if it impacts the vulnerable in the society. He urged the BRICS countries to be the vanguard of equity using peaceful and time tested instruments in international cooperation.
The next stop of the Vice President was Havana, Cuba, where he addressed delegates of the Group of 77+China. His speech drew elongated standing ovation due to his logical solutions to immediate problems confronting the world.
He urged the group to focus on leveraging cooperation or partnership for finding realistic solutions to global challenges. He emphasized on the importance of cooperation as our compass and most realistic path towards opportunities maximization and resolution of difficult challenges.
Speaking on the theme: current Development Challenges: the role of science, technology and Innovation, the Vice President underscored the role the 3 strategic sectors have played and will continue to play in resolution of diverse challenges.
In his speech titled: “From Pandemic to Paradigm Shift”, the Vice President navigated his August audience through the evolution of science and technology and how great nations prospered through same. He wowed his audience with the key barriers broken by Nigeria over the years in science, technology and Innovation.
He committed Nigeria to perpetual fostering of vibrant knowledge based economy and facilitation of unrestricted exchange of ideas. He underlined the importance of the Nigerian youthful population. Without mincing words, he brought to the attention of delegates, the milestone our youths have attained in telemedicine and automated agriculture.
Frankly speaking, the intellectual disposition of the Vice President towards the resolution of both recurring and unexpected problems has been a veritable signpost of the Tinubu administration. His love for science, technology and Innovation is a game changer for Nigerian youths. My prayer is that young Nigerians are discernible enough to latch onto this opportunity created by the strong positive disposition of Vice President Shettima.
At a time like this, nation building requires the participation of all and sundry, irrespective of political, tribal and religious leanings. This is the sure way to a greater Nigeria.
May Nigeria succeed.
Mr. Kelechi Jeff Eme,
a researcher in international politics and comparative history.
