Abuja: Envoys of the European Union (EU), Botswana, and Canada have underscored the need for adequate investment in knowledge-sharing diplomacy to strengthen their economic ties with Nigeria. The envoys expressed their thoughts during a Diplomatic Conference with the theme: ‘Diplomacy and Multilateralism for National Development,’ organized by the African Transformer Institute (ATI) on Friday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Amb. Gautier Mignot, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), described the conference as an incubation platform for producing future generations of Nigerian diplomats. Mignot, represented by Zissimoi Vergos, Deputy Ambassador of the EU in Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of young people acquiring basic skills in diplomacy through knowledge-sharing channels to boost growth.
“We discussed EU partnership with Nigeria and ECOWAS. We discussed the different diplomatic priorities, the importance of regional economic integration, and the importance of partnership for security. Also, on the importance of green and digital transformation, investment and trade, and Africa industrializing and proceeding with its trade cooperation. Particularly, the role young diplomats have to play to promote an agenda designed to promote the well-being and welfare of Africans, especially Nigeria and its people,” Mignot stated.
Amb. Philda Kereng, the High Commissioner of Botswana to Nigeria, praised the institute for organizing the conference, saying that it inspired participants to learn about and share knowledge on diplomacy. “We shared ideas about diplomacy, engaged and connected as we cultivated opportunities for building alliances and exploring opportunities together. Diplomacy is about building relationships by being present in another country, sharing information, and building alliances,” Kereng said.
Kereng disclosed that she had been in Nigeria for the past year with a mandate to deepen economic ties between the countries and unearth opportunities that could create jobs for young nationals. She also aims to strengthen Botswana-Nigeria diplomatic relations, connect businesses, and explore ideas beneficial to both countries.
Colton Brydges, First Secretary, Political at the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, traced Canada-Nigeria diplomatic engagement back to 1962. According to him, Canada seeks to deepen relations with Africa, particularly Nigeria, through people-to-people engagement, economic cooperation, poverty reduction, climate change, peace, security, and human rights. Brydges noted, “This is an opportunity for all of you not just to participate in this conference, but to learn and gain experience on diplomacy, with particularly issues of interest.”
Meanwhile, the Director of ATI, Mr. Austine Igweshi, said the initiative for the conference was born out of the need to advance capacity building for young people to become future ambassadors. Igweshi, also Executive-Director, Centre for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD), stated that the conference provided participants the opportunity to gain a broader view of the role Nigerian ambassadors play across various diplomatic missions abroad.
Igweshi remarked, “By such means, young people will be able to know the diplomatic roles Nigerian ambassadors play through participation in policy formulation ahead of their future. We are looking at the Nigeria 4-D policy agenda, centered on democracy, demography, diaspora, and development. We are also looking at how to strengthen that and how young people of Nigeria can contribute to Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda, and how we can build international cooperation with various countries.”