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DG'S MESSAGE |
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11TH
BRAINSTORMING SESSION ON:
THE 1861 ANNEXATION
OF LAGOS AS A BRITISH CROWN COLONY : MATTERS ARISING
MONDAY, AUGUST 6,
2012
6th
August 2012 will make it exactly 151 years since Lagos was annexed
and then declared a colony under British rule. This act of
historical infamy was done after a British naval force entered the
Lagos Lagoon area and seized the town in the name of Queen Victoria.
This development saw the conclusion of a Treaty of Cession of Lagos
between the reigning Oba Dosumu and the British government.
This, in turn, led to the colonization of Lagos and its later
establishment as the Capital of the Protectorate of Nigeria.
R-L: Prof.
Emeritus Tekena N. Tamuno, Amb. Dapo Fafowora and HRH Erelu A.
Dosunmu at the Conference in Lagos
Although this
incident took place well over a century ago, it has numerous
implications and lessons for contemporary times. These
implications range from the development of the role of the Oba of
Lagos, as well as other traditional institutions, to the short and
long-term implications of treaties, especially if they are
coercively imposed. In contemporary times Nigeria and numerous other
African countries face issues and problems that are not entirely
dissimilar to those that occurred deep in our historical past and
that led to incidents such as the coercive take over of Lagos. An
example in this regard is the fact that the African continent is
currently the focus of an international “scramble” that is not too
different from the one that happened in the 1880’s. Not only are
foreign powers in competition to acquire large portions of the
continent’s resource wealth, they are also in the process of massive
“land grab” in which some African countries actually concede huge
expanse of land to foreign actors for various purposes for as long,
in some instances, as ninety years. This has been appropriately
describes as a process of recolonization.
A
cross-section of participants at the NIIA 11th Brainstorming
Session
It is in order to
examine these, and other lessons that can be derived from this
incident in our historical past, especially as they apply to our
present circumstances, that the Nigerian Institute of International
Affairs organized a One-Day Brainstorming Session on the
1861 Annexation of Lagos as a British Crown
Colony: Matters Arising.
A cross section of diplomatic specialists, including Foreign
Ministers, envoys, defence attachés, and academics that have had
experiences in government, participated in the brainstorming
session.
10TH
BRAINSTORMING SESSION ON:
LINKAGES
BETWEEN AND AMONG RELIGION, POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY:
WILL THERE BE AN END TO BOKO HARAMISM IN NIGERIA?
AND
EVOLVING
PRINCIPLES FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
June 29, 2012
R-L: Professor
Bolaji Akinyemi and Ambassador Olu Adeniji, former Ministers of
External Affairs and Professor Ayo Ajomo
Events in the past few weeks in some states in Northern
Nigeria have continued to draw National and International attention
to the dire security challenges confronting the Nigerian state.
Suicide bombings and other forms of armed attack by elements of Boko
Haram are on the rise. In fact, it is beginning to take a
discernable pattern where Christian places of worship are attacked
on Sundays. However, the suicide bombings took a dangerous dimension
last Sunday, June 17, 2012 by way of reprisal attacks, following the
bombing of three Churches in Zaria and Kaduna. This development has
sparked off speculations as to whether the situation would
degenerate into sectarian violence where adherents of the two major
religions in Nigeria would pitch battle against one another.
Despite all these, certain questions are very vital for
further examination. Against the background of the Boko Haram
attacks on especially Christian places of worship, are there any
linkages among religions, politics and International Security? Since
Boko Haram is alleged to be affiliated to Al Qaeda in the Maghreb,
what principles can be adduced for maintenance of International
Security?
It is in light of these questions that the Nigerian
Institute of International Affairs organized its 10th
brainstorming session.
A cross section of diplomatic specialists, including Foreign
Ministers, envoys, defence attachés, and academics that have had
experiences in government, participated in the brainstorming
session.
L-R:
Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo
A
cross-section of participants at the NIIA 10th Brainstorming
Session
9TH BRAINSTORMING SESSION: NIGERIA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PEACE AND SECURITY, FROM 1960 TO 2012
(Tuesday,
15th and Wednesday, 16th May, 2012)
L-R: Chief Tom
Ikimi and Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, CFR, former Ministers of External
Affairs, at the NIIA Conference Chamber in Lagos
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) organized its
9th Brainstorming Session on Nigeria’s
Contributions to International Development, Peace and Security, from
1960 to 2012, on Tuesday, 15th and Wednesday, 16th
May, 2012, with a view to documenting them for posterity. In this
regard, a cross section of diplomatic specialists, including Foreign
Ministers, envoys, defence attachés, and academics that have had
experiences in government, participated in the first phase of the
research enquiry and gave their reminiscences.
Click here for programme of event.
L-R: Mr. Alex
Ekeanyawu, Deputy Director (Directorate), Professor Bola A.
Akinterinwa, Director-General (NIIA), and other participants at the
9th Brainstorming Session in Lagos
8th Brainstorming Session
on Regional Integration in West Africa and Globalization:
Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward
(Thursday,
19th and Friday 20th April, 2012)
L-R: Prof.
Bolaji Akinyemi, CFR, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR and Prof. Peter
Okebukola at the NIIA Conference Chamber in Lagos
Regional
integration is an expression of globalization in another form,
especially that both of them directly seek to promote international
borders that unite, rather than divide. Regional integration seeks
promotion of harmonization of policies at political, economic,
social and cultural levels. It de-emphasizes international borders
to the advantage of collective sovereignty. However, regional
integration efforts predate the emergence of current globalization,
which, essentially, is ICT driven. Globalisation seeks opening up of
markets and, particularly, the incorporation of markets of
developing countries into the global economy.
More
significantly, African leaders decided as far back as 1991 to bring
about functional unity in Africa through regional approach. It was
in this context that the 1991 Treaty Establishing The African
Economic Community (AEC) divided Africa into five regions in its
Article 1(d) and (e). The ultimate objective is to achieve
continental unity through regional unity. Since 1991, different
efforts have been made to promote regional integration in the West
African region. However, the efforts are still faced with several
challenges. It is not yet clear the extent to which multilateral
sovereignty can definitely replace national sovereignty. The quantum
of sovereignty required to enhance regional integration in a
considerable manner is still not known. In fact, the manner
globalization is impacting on national life and regional cooperation
is such that the future of regional cooperation and integration is
increasingly becoming a new subject of research. Explained
differently, in which way is globalization impacting on regional
integration, and vice-versa, within the framework of the ECOWAS? Can
we talk about progress in or future of integration efforts at the
level of ECOWAS, especially in light of the disaffiliation of
Mauritania which decided to quit the ECOWAS in order to join the
Maghreb Union in the Northern African region?
A cross
section of the audience at the 8th Brainstorming Session
There is
no disputing the fact that Nigeria has been a chief promoter of
regional integration. In fact, with the successful dismantlement of
the obnoxious policy of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, regional
integration has become another major focus of Nigeria’s foreign
policy. What has been the outcome of Nigeria’s efforts? When will
there be an ECOWAS currency? When will the ECOWAS Monetary Union
cease to be a dream? Will there be ECOWAS citizens beyond paper
definitions? How does regional integration affect globalisation in
West Africa? What are the dynamics of regional integration in the
ECOWAS region? What is the place of external actors, civil society
organizations, ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, organized and informal
sectors of the economies of ECOWAS countries, regional insecurity
and peace keeping efforts, good governance, problems of natural
resource control and ECOWAS Diasporans? To what extent are regional
integration efforts addressing climate change?
It is in
an attempt to seek explanations to these questions that the
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs organized its 8th
Brainstorming Session to reflect on this important subject matter.
Click here for Programme of Event.
SECOND INDIA-AFRICA ACADEMIC CONFERENCE
14th and 15th March, 2012
Nigeria and India are undoubtedly important
countries, both within their regional contexts, as well as
globally. Whereas India is industrially more advanced, and
therefore, in a better position to enrich economic relations and
cooperation between the two countries, Nigeria is strategically
positioned to add value to it through trade and other forms of
cooperation with India. It is important to observe that strong
relations with India could be strategic to Nigeria, and West
Africa’s goal of developing competitive domestic, as well as,
regional economies in the foreseeable future.
At the bilateral level, relations between Nigeria and India have
truly come of age in terms of history and scope. While diplomatic
relations dates back to 1958, current economic links cover oil and
gas, petro-chemical and fertilizer production, agriculture, as well
as small and medium scale enterprises. A large and growing
population of Indians lives in Nigeria and vice versa. However,
regardless of the existence of good relations between the two
countries, there is still room for the expansion of ties, not only
between Nigeria and India, but also between India and the West
African region. At present, the bulk of Indian relations with
states in West Africa are concentrated mainly in Nigeria and Ghana.
In an increasingly globalized world, characterized by economic
competitiveness, there is room for the expansion of ties between
India and other West African States, and for such states to take
advantage of India’s economic dynamism. It is for this reason that
the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, in collaboration
with the Indian Council on World Affairs, organized the second
India-Africa Academic Conference in Lagos, on 14th and 15th March,
2012.
Public Lecture on
New Rapprochement Between Nigeria and France
The
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs organized
a public lecture on
New Rapprochement Between Nigeria and France
on February 23, 2012 in Lagos. The lecture was delivered by
Professor Bamitale Omole, Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife. The event was chaired by
Chief Molade Okoya
Thomas, CON.
In attendance were Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, former Nigeria's Permanent
Representative to the UN,
Representative of H.E. Jacques Champagne de Labriolle,
the French Ambassador. Others include
serving and retired Ambassadors,
media chieftains and her representatives, the academics from both
public and private universities, and research staff of the Nigerian Institute
of International Affairs.
Training Programme on International Relations for Students of
Tertiary Institutions
The
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs organized
a training programme on International Relations for students of
tertiary institutions on February 23, 2012 in Lagos. In attendance
were students of Lagos State University and Redeemers University.
For further information, click to
download the audio recording of presentations
.
The
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs was established in 1961,
with the aim of providing a nursery of ideas on what direction
Nigeria should take on international affairs. Since inception, the
Institute has been organising Conferences, Roundtables and Lectures.
These are aimed at addressing current foreign policy issues and
anticipating others still on the horizon.
The
Institute is a specialised instrument of foreign policy formulation
in Nigeria. It serves as an intellectual base upon which
decision-makers rely for informed opinion and expert advice in order
to make rational choices between contending policy options.
SECOND INDIA-AFRICA ACADEMIC CONFERENCE
14th and 15th March, 2012
Nigeria and India are undoubtedly important
countries, both within their regional contexts, as well as
globally. Whereas India is industrially more advanced, and
therefore, in a better position to enrich economic relations and
cooperation between the two countries, Nigeria is strategically
positioned to add value to it through trade and other forms of
cooperation with India. It is important to observe that strong
relations with India could be strategic to Nigeria, and West
Africa’s goal of developing competitive domestic, as well as,
regional economies in the foreseeable future.
At the bilateral level, relations between Nigeria and India have
truly come of age in terms of history and scope. While diplomatic
relations dates back to 1958, current economic links cover oil and
gas, petro-chemical and fertilizer production, agriculture, as well
as small and medium scale enterprises. A large and growing
population of Indians lives in Nigeria and vice versa. However,
regardless of the existence of good relations between the two
countries, there is still room for the expansion of ties, not only
between Nigeria and India, but also between India and the West
African region. At present, the bulk of Indian relations with
states in West Africa are concentrated mainly in Nigeria and Ghana.
In an increasingly globalized world, characterized by economic
competitiveness, there is room for the expansion of ties between
India and other West African States, and for such states to take
advantage of India’s economic dynamism. It is for this reason that
the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, in collaboration
with the Indian Council on World Affairs, organized the second
India-Africa Academic Conference in Lagos, on 14th and 15th March,
2012.
Public Lecture on
New Rapprochement Between Nigeria and France
The
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs organized
a public lecture on
New Rapprochement Between Nigeria and France
on February 23, 2012 in Lagos. The lecture was delivered by
Professor Bamitale Omole, Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife. The event was chaired by
Chief Molade Okoya
Thomas, CON.
In attendance were Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, former Nigeria's Permanent
Representative to the UN,
Representative of H.E. Jacques Champagne de Labriolle,
the French Ambassador. Others include
serving and retired Ambassadors,
media chieftains and her representatives, the academics from both
public and private universities, and research staff of the Nigerian Institute
of International Affairs.
Training Programme on International Relations for Students of
Tertiary Institutions
The
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs organized
a training programme on International Relations for students of
tertiary institutions on February 23, 2012 in Lagos. In attendance
were students of Lagos State University and Redeemers University.
For further information, click to
download the audio recording of presentations
Seventh Brainstorming Session on Nigeria's Foreign Policy and Global
Challenges in 2012
The global
environment is increasingly becoming terroristic. The
political climate is changing fast beyond the Arab spring saga.
The reform of the UN is yet to be meaningfully addressed. The
impact of climate change is also becoming more difficult to cope
with. Regional integration in Africa is still far from making
much progress. In fact, the future directions of the
ECOWAS and the AU in the constantly changing world need a focused
articulation. It was in this connection, that the Institute
organised its Seventh Brainstorming Session on Nigeria's Foreign
Policy and Global Challenges in 2012 on Wednesday, 16th
November, 2011 in Lagos
In attendance were serving and past Ministers of
Foreign Affairs, serving and retired Ambassadors,
media chieftains and her representatives, the academics from both
public and private universities, and research staff of the Nigerian Institute
of International Affairs.
.
DIPLOMATIC BRIEFING:
HIGHLIGHTS OF BILATERAL TIES BETWEEN NIGERIA AND FRANCE.
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)
organised another in its series of diplomatic briefing on Tuesday,
July 26, 2011. The breifing highlighted the bilateral ties
between Nigeria and France . His Excellency, Mr. Jean-Michel
Dumond, Ambassador of France to Nigeria briefed the
Institute's management and research staff on the foreign policy
reforms with the focus on Africa in general and Nigeria in
particular.
2ND BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS ON
NIGERIAN MEDIA AND PROTECTION OF NATIONAL INTEREST.
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)
organised its 2nd Brainstorming Session on Nigerian Media and Protection
of National Interest on Thursday, 9th June 2011. The aim
of the Session is to underscore the need to generate ideas on
national security and nation building. The Brainstorming Session is
focused basically on how to protect Nigeria’s security interest from
the perspective of the media.
In attendance were top ranking military officers,
media chieftains and her representatives, the academics from both
public and private universities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
the Federal Ministry of Information and Communication, members of
the Governing Council and research staff of the Nigerian Institute
of International Affairs and media houses.
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), on Tuesday,
4th January 2011, held Special Brainstorming Sessions on
the 16th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit, Cote D'Ivoire's Crisis
and Sudanese Referenda. The sessions were chaired by Professor
Bolaji Akinyemi and Professor Gabriel Olusanya.
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