Today’s edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall A, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were three presentations made by the Subject Experts covering the West Africa and Gulf of Guinea, Indian subcontinent and Central America.
The first presentation was made by Maj Gen OO Adeleke (Rtd) subject expert for West Africa and Gulf of Guinea. His presentation center on Police in law enforcement misconduct Impact on National Security. the police is a constituted body of person empowered by the state with the aim to enforce the law and ensure safety and prevent crime and civil disorders. Hence, according to Maj Gen OO Adeleke he Analyzed that the British government founded the first police force in Nigeria in 1861, known as the Lagos Police, which was in charge of maintaining law and order in the Lagos Colony.
During the years following independence, the Police force became politicized and was used to repress political dissent and keep control of the country. The Nigeria Police force underwent a major reform with the enactment of the Police Act of 1979, which emphasized amongst others, the need for professionalism, accountability and respect human rights. He further pointed out that Akinlabi according to his records, that the Nigeria Police have frequently been accused of abuse of power and implicated in gross human rights abuses, which include illegal detention, arbitrary killings, extortion, bribery and sexual exploitations, as exemplified by the End- SARS crisis. use of excessive force, theft, force arrest, corruption of authority, kickbacks, opportunistic theft, shakedowns, and protection of illegal activities amongst others. Gen OO Adeleke recommended that the Nigeria Police officers should imbibe the value of good ethics, integrity, accountability and honesty in the discharge of their duties.
The second presentation was by Brig Gen OD Donibo subject expert for Indian subcontinent. His presentation highlights on Brics African Nations at Crossroads between Committing Allegiance to USA or China. Brics is the acronym denoting the emerging national economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The term was originally coined in 2001 as BRIC by the Goldman sachs economist Jim O’Neill in his report ‘’Building better Global Economics: BRIC. At the time the economics of Brazil, Russia, India and China experienced significant growth, raising concerns regarding their impact on the Global economy. He further explained the formation of these countries began meeting informally in 2006, which led to more formal annual summits beginning in 2009. Generally speaking, these meeting were help to improve economics condition and give leaders the opportunity to collaborate on economics effort.
According to the US white house press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, ‘America will not stop not other countries from choosing partner to trade with. She emphasized that the ‘’ US is focused on trading with all countries and won’t interfere in their internal affairs, Brig Gen OD Donibo stretched that: BRICS is the acronym denoting the emerging national economies of Brazil, Russia, India, china and South Africa. He further enumerates that South Africa joined the informal group in December 10, end changed the acronym to BRICS. He also substantiate that, there have been 13 BRICS summits in all from 2009 till 2023. However the objective of the group at inception, has also changed to include challenging the hegemony of the US Dollar in international trade. This clearly portrays Nigeria as a country that does not strategically pursue a well-planned and detailed National interest objective on issue on the international global arena. According these countries are also alternative trading partners to the USA of most African countries.
Consequently, Brig Gen OD Donibo in his recommendation that the NARC should advise the Federal Government of Nigeria with the MoFA, NIIA and other foreign policy stakeholders should convene a symposium aimed at discussing the pros and cons of Nigerian admission to BRICS before end of 4th quarters 3, 2023. Accordingly, MoFA in conjunction with the NOA, NIIA and other stakeholders identify and fashion out our national purpose, values, interests and objectives in order to drive a more focused foreign policy. Finally, he advise that the Federal Government of Nigeria and MoFA should set up a committee to analyze and study Idia’s method of achieving its foreign policy trust while adopting a non- aligned stance.
The Third presentation was by Brig Gen ED Idimah subject expert for the Central America. His presentation focus on President Joe Biden’s Meeting with Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves, President Joe Biden’s met Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves on 29 August 2023 to discuss immigration and expand the partnership between the two counties. According to him, constant dialogue is necessary to achieve results. Costa Rican President went to Meet Joe Biden’s for the sole purpose of searching for solutions to the problem of illegal immigration affecting his country.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brig Gen Idimah said that both presidents met to discuss among other things such as immigration, as it affects both nations. The aim was to find ways to turn negative immigration indicators into valuable benefits. They explored area of mutual cooperation in managing human movements. He also noted that they agreed to act with certain parameters in order to safeguard the lives of immigrants. Brig Gen ED Idimah recommended that with the proper vetting, Nigeria could allow some migrant from our neighbouring countries to come in and work in certain establishments like farms, where menial workers are in short supply.
