Today’s edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, NARC, Abuja. The presentations were made by the Subject Experts covering the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean.
The first presentation was made by Maj Gen JG Mohammed, Subject Expert for the Middle East. Headlines around the Middle East were highlighted, with a distinct focus on the execution of an Iranian ex-minister with British nationality. The former top defence official, Alireza Akbari was sentenced because he was a spy for the UK intelligence thereby harming the country’s internal and external security. In his analysis of Nigeria, the senior officer stated that although there is no recent record of dual citizenship in Nigeria for offences relating to national security except Nnamdi Kanu’s case doesn’t imply that there are no persons spying in Nigeria or conducting other nefarious activities that border on national security. The senior officer further stated that there is a need to check the State security and security bodies to check the activities of foreign nationals operating as experts, NGO’sand unpatriotic citizens with dual citizens or not. Also. The National Orientation agency needs to conduct national security awareness to ensure that all citizens are involved in matters of national security. Finally, a non-ambiguous provision should be made in the constitution to barns people with dual citizenship from holding public offices in Nigeria especially the sensitive ones, because swearing allegiance to other countries takes away the important element of loyalty.
The second presentation was made by Brig Gen M Ibrahim Subject Expert for South America and the Caribbean. The senior officer presentation discussed the Brazilian President, Lula da Silva’s offering to mediate talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President, Vladimir Zelensky. Luiz da Silva stated that he was ready to discuss peace settlement efforts in as much as the powerful group who command respect joined the negotiating table. The senior officer noted that the Nigeria’s image over time among the comity of nations has reduced drastically due to issues of our national development index, the extent of state and human security, military strength, political instability, quality of leadership, and national behaviour amongst others. Unlike Brazil, which over time has grown and her capabilities inform its roles in international politics and achieving her foreign policy. He advised that there is a need for the re-examination and refocusing of Nigeria’s foreign policy on her domestic issues most importantly the citizens, by applying the principle of reciprocity and diversifying her economy.
Present at the briefing was:Director General, Director of Research, other management staff, Senior Research Fellows and Research Fellows, Consultants, senior officers, and other staff of the Centre.
