ASDIR advocates collective effort of stakeholders towards Nigeria economic growth

ASDIR advocates collective effort of stakeholders towards Nigeria economic growth

Joel Oladele

 The African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR) has called  for the collective efforts of Nigerians towards the economic growth of the country.

The Vice-Chairman/CEO of ASDIR, Dr Tunji Asaolu, made the appeal in Abuja at the 2023 annual public lecture series, induction, and conferment of honorary doctorate degree ceremony recently organised by the institute.

Asaolu, who is also the Deputy Secretary-General of African Affairs, at the International Society of Diplomats (ISD), said the call became imperative to ensure sustainable progress in the country.

The event which marked the third edition had as its theme: ‘The political economy of nation building: The world’s unfinished business.’

Asaolu said, “There is the need to support government efforts to achieve its purpose of representing the people. This is the reason we looked at perceived gaps, in terms of the economic crisis to chart the way forward.

“Critically, we looked at some ways we can be of help, in terms of recommending solutions to perceived economic challenges. Then we came up with a topic centered on the political economy of nation-building.

“We considered this topic as unfinished business because we will continue to experience economic challenges if all hands are not on deck to tackle issues bordering on inequality, socio-economic crisis, poverty, and insecurity.”

He added that the honorary degrees and fellowship awards were conferred on specific persons based on their proven track record of excellence.

Speaking further, he said the awards which cut across various fields of endeavour were conferred on the recipients through collaboration with Queens University Belfast, United Kingdom, which has the right of conferment.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Governing Board of ASDIR, Prof. Jonathan Aremu, said the programme is apt because it would help to boost the capacity of citizens in the area of diplomacy.

“This programme has become necessary for diplomats like those inducted today, to enable them to develop the know-how about best practices and to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on diplomacy.

“What the school is doing is to position the graduands to contribute meaningfully to government’s efforts centered on diplomatic activities and ensure Nigeria performs excellently, among the comity of developed nations.

“It is mandatory for countries to abide by ratified international relations, therefore this ASDIR initiative to enable Nigerians to imbibe international best practices and concepts of diplomacy,” Aremu said.

In his Keynote address, Prof. Mkpa Agu  Mkpa, former Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University, Uhuru, described knowledge sharing about diplomacy as apt, saying it would enable people to tackle challenges collectively.

According to him, a society that has sound diplomacy inculcated into its leadership would not experience many conflicts.

“Wherever there is a breakdown of law and order and whenever there is a conflict the first thing people consider is a breakdown of diplomacy.

“So what ASDIR is doing for Nigeria actually is a very key role in bringing peace to this country.

“All over the world, diplomacy is rated as the number one tool to advocate peace wherever there is conflict,” Mkpa said.

The high point of the event was the conferment of 10 honorary fellowships, the award of 10 honorary doctorate degrees to distinguished personalities, and the induction of 40 persons into the ASDIR.

The event chaired by Sen. Michael Bamidele, Leader of the Tenth Senate, represented by Hon. Folashade Adepeju, the director of Diaspora & International Affairs, office of the Senate Leader, attracted dignitaries including Rev. Sam Oye, Founder/Lead Pastor of the Transformation Church, and Dr Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Wife of the Ooni of Ife, as awardees among others.