The Federal Government is repositioning Nigeria’s foreign policy to ensure that its benefits are felt directly in the lives of ordinary Nigerians, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has said.
Enikanolaiye stated this when women from Yagba South East District in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, led by their National President, Chief Mrs Ojo Iyabode, paid him a solidarity visit in his office on Thursday, September 10.
The Minister, who is the Patron of the grassroots women’s group, Chairman of the Yagba South East Development Association and Agba Akin of Yagba South East, said the welfare and interests of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora remained central to the country’s foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the ministry’s foreign policy direction was anchored on the “4Ds” — Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy — describing them as critical components and the fulcrum of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
According to him, demography focuses on the people and reflects the government’s determination to ensure that foreign policy has tangible impact on the lives of Nigerians.
“Demography is about the people. About you and I, everyone of us. That is the view that foreign policy must impact in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Otherwise, foreign policy remains just foreign, with the Ministry dealing more with foreigners.
“We are trying to change that orientation. We are trying to see that what we do here focuses on the lives of an average Nigerian,” he said.
The minister said the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working to ensure that Nigeria’s external relations promoted national interest, welfare, prosperity and economic wellbeing.
He cited President Tinubu’s international engagements to attract Direct Foreign Investment and the government’s efforts to integrate Nigerians in the diaspora into national development as examples of the new orientation.
Enikanolaiye also urged women and small and medium-sized enterprises across the country to take advantage of international platforms and programmes offering access to trade, investment and affordable financing.
“We are trying to show that foreign policy promotes the lives and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians. We are trying to encourage small and medium enterprises to do better. We encourage better packaging of our products so that they receive immediate international acceptance,” he said.
He noted that opportunities for low-interest financing and market access existed through platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), but many Nigerians remained unaware of how to access them.
“Our job is to raise awareness and we encourage you to key into them,” the Minister added.
Enikanolaiye said his recent engagements in Maiduguri on security within the Lake Chad Basin and in Bauchi on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme were part of efforts to harness regional and international opportunities for Nigeria’s development.
He further commended the Yagba South East women for their contributions to community development, particularly through medical outreach, women and youth empowerment, cooperative activities and support for children.
“It’s an honour to be visited by you. It’s a rare thing to be recognised and celebrated at home, especially by women. I do not take this visit for granted.
“Anyone who plays with the role of women is playing with fire,” he said.
The Minister, who described the women as highly organised, disciplined and committed to community service, pledged his continued support for their activities.
He urged them to sustain their contributions to society while calling for continued support and prayers for the Federal Government.
Earlier, Iyabode congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, describing his elevation as a source of pride to the people of Yagba South East.
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She said the group was delighted by the national recognition accorded their patron, expressing confidence that his experience, integrity and commitment to service would contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and international interests.
She thanked President Tinubu for finding their son worthy of the appointment and prayed for wisdom, strength, good health and courage for the Minister to successfully discharge his responsibilities to the nation.
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