Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were two presentations made by the Subject Experts on Eastern Europe and East/Central Africa.
The first presentation was made by Brig Gen Ak Egwuagu (Rtd) subject expert on Eastern Europe. His presentation discussed how, Trump and Putin to do Something Significant towards ending Russia’s War in Ukraine. President Donald Trump on Friday 31st Jan 2025, said his administration has begun serious discussions with Russia about its war in Ukraine, and that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would soon take significant action towards ending the grinding conflict (AP News, January 31, 2025). Speaking to reporters in the president’s Oval Office in Washington DC, Trump said, “We will be speaking and I think we will perhaps do something that will be significant. We want to end that war, but it would have not started if I was president”. However, he did not say who from his administration has been in contact with the Russians, but insisted that the two sides were already talking.
Trump has repeatedly said he would not have allowed the conflict to start if he had been the president, although he was in office while fighting grew in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv’s forces and separatists backed by Moscow, ahead of Putin sending in tens of thousands of troops in 2022. Since returning to office last month, Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not making a deal with Putin to avoid the conflict and further ridiculed him during a Fox News interview, of ‘talking so brave’ when Ukraine was dependent on U.S. aid to fight its war (Niki Gunter, January 24, 2025).
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brig Gen Ak Egwuagu (Rtd) noted that, Historically, Nigeria experienced a devastating civil war from 1967-1970 which resulted to significant loss of lives, human suffering, immense destruction of infrastructure, a deepened sense of ethnic tension and proliferation of criminal activities as a means for survival. In recent times, the country has been involved in various regional and international peacekeeping efforts, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining regional stability and security but continues to face internal security challenges such as the Boko Haram insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and inter-community conflicts. Overall, Nigeria’s stand on war is currently centred on promoting regional stability, resolving conflicts through diplomacy and dialogue as well as maintaining national security, which needs to be sustained towards a better world order.
With Russia and Ukraine being major wheat exporters, the Ukrainian war has led to a surge in global wheat supplies in the world, seriously affecting Nigeria that relies heavily on imports, with price increases promoting food insecurity, malnutrition, hunger and crime for survival contrary to national security. Despite the economic, strategic, historical, social and cultural advantages of war, the human cost, economic consequences, social and environmental impacts, its long-term consequences of psychological trauma, food insecurity, increased risk of future conflicts and global instability, serves as ‘cannon fodder’ for insecurity, which is inimical to national security.
He recommended that, the FGN should sustain its efforts at promoting regional stability, resolving conflicts through diplomacy/dialogue, and maintaining national security.
The second presentation was made by Brig Gen ED Idimah subject expert on East and Central Africa. His presentation was centered on, Tanzania Surpasses 2025 Tourism Target. On 2 February 2025, Daily News, reported that, Tanzania has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism sector, welcoming 5.3 million tourists last year, exceeding the goal of 5 million tourists set for 2025. According to Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, international visitors numbered 2,141,895, with domestic tourists at 3,218,352. The revenue generated from tourism reached $3.9 billion, and increase from $3.3 billion earned from 3.9 million tourists in 2023.
The government aims to generate $6 billion from 5 million tourists by the end of this year as part of its Third Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) and the ruling party’s election manifesto. Dr. Chana praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership, which has elevated Tanzania’s global tourism profile. She emphasized the ministry’s commitment to promoting and developing the sector, enhancing services, infrastructure, and expanding tourism markets. Mr. Timotheo Mnzava, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Tourism, acknowledged the government’s efforts but highlighted the need for improved revenue collection. The aim is to reach $6 billion in tourism revenue by December 2025.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brig Gen ED Idimah noted that, In Nigeria, the tourism industry has the potential to enhance the country’s economic diversification efforts, particularly in light of the fluctuating oil prices that have historically dominated its economy. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC, 2022), the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Nigeria’s GDP was approximately $5.5 billion in 2021. The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) reported a growing interest in local destinations, with Nigerians exploring their cultural heritage and natural attractions (NTDC, 2021). Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and biodiversity present significant opportunities for tourism. The country’s numerous festivals, historical sites, and natural parks, such as the Yankari National Park and Aso Rock, attract both local and international tourists (Ogundipe, 2020). The Nigerian government has initiated various programs to boost tourism, including the establishment of the National Tourism Policy and partnerships with private stakeholders to improve infrastructure and marketing efforts (Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, 2021).
He recommended that, the FGN through its relevant agencies should upgrade roads and rail systems to facilitate easy movement of tourists to tourist sites as well as ensure reliable supply of electricity and essential services to support tourism development.
