Former Foreign Affairs Minister General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) has described culture as a critical element in the socio-economic development of Nigeria. He said no nation thrived above its culture, hence, Nigeria must make effective use of its culture for development.
Gen. Nwachukwu, who spoke at this year’s Annual Lecture titled: Culture as an effective tool for foreign relations, organised by National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in Lagos, last week, urged the Federal Government to allow the Foreign Affairs Ministry to coordinate the nation’s cultural diplomacy policies and no other ministry. This, he said, would allow for effective harmonisation of cultural elements for the promotion of national development as well as foreign relations.
Chairman of the occasion, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Olusegun Akinsanya called for cultural reawakening in the conscious promotion of culture and core values in these days of hate speeches. He said this is imperative as the present administration is vigorously fighting corruption, fighting insurgency and addressing economic growth and development. This, he said, would bring out the essence of core value that will aid development as well as mainstreaming culture of peace into our policy frameworks.
Describing the lecture title as apt and relevant, Ambassador Akinsanya said it related to one of the guiding principles and objectives that underpin Nigeria’s foreign policies. “The conduct of foreign relations of any country, rich or poor, big or small, is guided principally by national interest. What is national interest and how does it shape foreign policies?
“Foreign policy as an extension of our domestic policies is determined by the prevailing national interest, which is the totality of the political, socio-economic and cultural particularistic of collective of group interest formulated into policy framework that have guided Nigeria’s foreign policies since independence. These principles have remained consistent despite foreign policies thrust and style of various administrations. The importance of culture for promoting and prosecuting foreign policy is not far-fetched in the Nigeria’s foreign policy. What needs to be done is to enhance and strengthen this,” he added.
He,however, identified paucity of fund as one of the major challenges that hindered the promotion of Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy. He said that Nigeria needs to enhance the elements of the diversity of its culture must be used positively. “As Nigeria’s government is vigorously fighting corruption, fighting insurgency and addressing economic growth and development, I will posit that there should be a cultural reawakening in the conscious promotion of culture and core values in these days of hate speeches,” he said.
Abiola Dosunmu, the Erelu of Lagos said what is happening in Kano regarding the creation of four new emirates is culture in action, which she likened to the Arab spring. She said that the development is not new but there is the need to expand the coast of culture as it is not stagnant or rigid, noting however that the integrity of the position of emir must be maintained. She recalled that what is happening in Kano now happened in Lagos centuries ago when Oba of Lagos was the only paramount ruler from the border of Ogun to the Atlantic.
“Today, all that has changed. Culture is not stagnant and must not be diminished. The integrity of such position must be respected while the position of the premier emir should be maintained.”
Guest lecturer Dr. SharkdamWapmuk said culture can serve as an effective tool for enhancing Nigerian foreign relations. According to him, the practice of promoting foreign relations through cultural diplomacy has not been completely neglected, but could be enhanced to derive more benefits.
“In today’s globalising world, more than ever before, culture has a vital role to play in international relations. Cultural exchanges give us the chance to appreciate points of commonality and shared values. Where there are differences, we seek to understand the motivations and humanity that underlie them. While noting that culture is broad, complex and dynamic, we underscore the important role that culture can play in promoting Nigerian foreign relations through sports, cultural tourism and festivals, films, food culture, culinary diplomacy, music, dance, literature and the Diaspora,” he said.
He noted that promotion of Nigerian culture in other countries of the world would be very beneficial in exposing its rich diversity. This, he said, will go a long way in enhancing cooperation and help in attracting forteigners, including tourists and support its economic diplomacy that focuses on boosting trade and foreign investments for jobs creation.
The lecture was attended by guests such as Acting Director-General CBAAC, Mrs Ndidi Aimienmwawu who represented Minister of Inforamtion and Culturte, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin (representative of Deputy Governor of Lagos State), Prof Duro Oni, Prof. Akin Oyebode and Mrs Victoria Agodo.
