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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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NEWS
Roundtable
on India-Africa Relations
The Institute organised a roundtable discussion on India-Africa
Relations on August 20, 2009. The lead paper entitled "Between
the cup and the Lip, Many a Slip? - India-Africa Relations" was
presented by Professor Parvathi Vasudevan, a former Reader of the
Center for African Studies, University of Munbai, India.
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Public Lecture on
‘Technology-Development: Are We Getting It Right? Re-Petroleum
Industry’
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), on
Wednesday, March 18th 2009, organized a Public lecture on
‘Technology-Development: Are We Getting It Right? Re-Petroleum
Industry’. The lecture which was delivered by Engineer Chukwumaobi
J. Adiele was well attended by Participants from the public and
private sectors including the media. In his lecture, Engineer
Chukwumaobi J. Adiele explained that technology is the application
of knowledge to create wealth. The development of technology is
different from technology development. Technology development is a
continuous process and that is why we have ‘level of technology
development (LOD)’. He also said that the low level of development
of technology is due to non-application of knowledge. He recommended
that research and development, and leadership are the key to
technology development in Nigeria. Every country needs some inputs
from abroad to develop its technology and the level of development
determines how they are able to engage international partners. He
concluded by saying that there is a need for mass enlightenment of
the people and the leadership on the meaning of technology and
development.
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A One Day Round Table on ‘Implications of
the New Energy Policy of the United States, European Union and
Russia for Nigeria’- Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Cross-section of participants at the NIIA public
lecture in Lagos
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) organised a
one-day Roundtable on ‘Implications of the New Energy Policy of the
United States, European Union and Russia for Nigeria’ on Tuesday, 3
February 2009. The roundtable held at the Institute’s conference
chamber was aimed at a comprehensive consideration of the various
implications for Nigeria of the respective energy policies adopted
by the US, EU and Russia. It was also intended to examine the
economic, security and strategic implications of these policies on
the Nigerian economy and to proffer options for the management and
utilisation of Nigeria’s energy resources. The roundtable was
declared open by the Director General of NIIA, Prof. Osita C. Eze,
and had in attendance Research Fellows and some staff of the
Institute. A lead paper was presented by Professor CN Nwoke,
followed by intense discussions and interventions from participants
on various critical aspects of the subject matter. The roundtable
observed that oil and gas has become a dominant source of power and
that no industrialised society can survive without its supply. Any
significant threat to the continued availability of these resources
will prove to be a cause of crisis and in extreme cases, provoke the
use of military force. It also observed that though the need to
achieve energy independence is not new in American politics, unlike
previous administrations, Obama's administration will try to make
energy independence a reality. The pursuit of energy independence,
clean technologies and commitment to renewable energy by the US, EU
and Russia may lead to a drop in export volume and foreign exchange
revenue for Nigeria because she is a mono-cultural exporter. The
roundtable recommended that Nigeria should assume one hundred
percent national ownership, control and management of her oil, gas
and solid minerals sector. It also recommended that Nigeria should
gradually and progressively diversify and phase-out mono-cultural
export syndrome. It is also pertinent that Nigeria should establish
science and technology research and development centres of
excellence towards developing an indigenous capacity to
independently run national oil and solid minerals enterprises.
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NIIA Academic Tour to China
A team of researchers from the Nigerian Institute of International
Affairs (NIIA) undertook an academic tour to the Chinese Institute
of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Beijing, China from
Wednesday 14th to Sunday 22nd February, 2009.
The delegation led by the Director General, Professor Osita Eze,
included the Acting Director of Research and Studies, Associate
Professor Ogaba Oche, Dr. Fred Agwu, Dr. Emmanual Ani, and Mrs.
Weremara Okwulehie. The academic tour was part of the institutional
cooperation between the two institutions aimed at advancing their
bilateral relations especially at the level of research and
development of mutual cooperation. During the visit, extensive
discussions were held on ways to advance Sino-African and
Sino-Nigerian relations. Many issues of interest to both countries
were raised on trade, security, politics, culture and the economy.
It was recommended that Nigerian students should be encouraged to
study in China in order to encourage generational interaction and
understanding. It also recommended that increased fellowship and
joint research efforts should be encouraged between Nigerian and
Chinese academics. The visit too the NIIA delegation to many
reputable Chinese research institutes, educational and political
institutes.
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Director General Receives Award
Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs,
Prof Osita Eze was, on 20th March 2009 awarded the 2008
continental distinguished leaders merit award by the African Youth
Society (AYS). This continental honour was in recognition of Prof
Osita Eze’s modest contributions toward the development of the
African youth. In his response Prof Osita Eze thanked the Leaders
and members of the African Youth Society for the honor bestowed on
him and charged the youths to always imbibe good virtues in all
there endeavours as the future of Nigeria depends on them. Several
dignitaries were present at the occasion including the Executive
Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
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Kofi Annan visits NIIA
The Director General of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs
Prof Osita Eze on 20th March 2009 played host to the former
Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Kofi Annan at the
Institute. Prof Osita Eze in welcoming Mr. Kofi Annan briefed him on
the activities of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs as
well as its major role of policy advise to the Nigerian government,
in responding Mr. Kofi Annan thanked the Director General, for his
achievements recorded so far in the Institute and wished the
Institute more fruitful services as an enviable think thank of the
Nigerian Government. Mr. Kofi Annan who was in Nigeria as the guest
speaker in the annual lecture series organized by the Awolowo
Foundation to mark the centenary of the late sage, Chief Obafemi
Awolowo, the event which took place at the lecture theatre of the
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Lagos, attracted many
personalities and friends as well as political associates of the
late sage.
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NIIA Academic Tour to Ghana
The Director General of the Nigerian
Institute of International Affairs, Professor Osita Eze, the
Director of Research and Studies, Professor Warisu Alli, and five
Research Fellows-Dr Fred Agwu, Associate Professor Ogaba Oche,
Associate Professor Osita Agbu, Messrs. Joshua Bolarinwa, Efem Ubi
and Alex Ekeayanwu, the Personal Assistant to the Director-General,
undertook an academic tour of Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping
Training Center (KAIPTC), Accra, Ghana from 20th-25th
February 2008. The tour was an opportunity to observe the
implantation of the ECOWAS Protocol on free movement of persons
across West African borders. During the visit, the team held
discussions with some of the academic staffs of KAIPTC.
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NIIA Academic Tour to Liberia
A team from the Nigerian Institute of
International Affairs (NIIA) undertook an academic tour to Liberia
from Monday, 9 June to Friday, 13 June 2008. The delegation led by
the Director General, Professor Osita Eze, and included Professor
W.O Alli, Director of Research and Studies, Assoc. Professor Bola A.
Akinterinwa, Assoc. Professor C.N. Nwoke, Dr. Charles Dokubo, and
Messrs Sharkdam Wapmuk, Kelechi Nwogu and James Osoata, undertook an
academic tour of Liberia under the theme, ‘Conflict Resolution in
West Africa: Consolidating Peace and Democracy in Liberia’.
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NIIA Academic Tour to India
A team of researchers from the Nigerian
Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) undertook an academic tour
of New Delhi, India from Saturday, 16 August to Wednesday, 20 August
2008. The delegation led by the Director General, Professor Osita
Eze, included Professor W.O Alli, Associate Professor Bukar Bukrambe,
Associate Professor Osita Agbu, and Mr. Sharkdam Wapmuk. The theme
of the Dialogue was ‘Nigeria-India Track II Dialogue on
International Affairs’. The NIIA team was able to meet with several
Indian scholars and participants invited by the Indian Council for
World Affairs, and also officials of the Nigeria High Commission in
India.
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Activities at the NIIA Library
The 8th of March each year is observed as the
International Women’s Day. This year’s theme was ‘“Women and men united to end violence
against women and girls”.
The NIIA library joined other organisations and women around the
world to observe the day by mounting an exhibition of books and
press clippings showing women in different roles: women and
development in Africa; women and law in west Africa, female
terrorism and militancy; women and leadership, human rights of
women, women and politics in Nigeria, women and the remaking of
politics in South Africa. The exhibition lasted from March 8th
to 15th, 2009. The exhibition was well received by
members of the public and guests of the Institute who found it
informative and educative.
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Chinese
Delegation visits NIIA
A delegation of Research Fellows from the
Chinese Institute for Contemporary International Relations (CICIR)
visited the NIIA from 6th to 13th May, 2009.
The aim of the visit was to reciprocate an earlier academic visit by
the NIIA delegation to China from 15th to 23rd
February, 2009. While in Nigeria, the Chinese delegation visited
several other institutions and had profound discussions with
academics and personalities. A dialogue session was also held at the
NIIIA and had in attendance the DG of NIIA, Research Fellows and the
visiting delegation from the CICIR. Topics discussed include, the
influence of the great powers in Africa and Nigeria, suggestions for
the fourth Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the
problems of Sino-Nigeria and Sino-Africa relations.
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