International scholar and Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, says reciprocity is the basis for international relations to achieve mutual understanding and benefits between nations.
Gambari, who was Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, made the statement as a special guest of honour at the maiden annual symposium organised by the International Studies Alumni Association, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partnership with MacArthur Foundation.
The event, which took place at the Centre of Excellence, ABU, Zaria, was put together to honour the past deans of the university’s former Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), a world-acclaimed center for academic debates and excellence.
The former United Nations Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs was instrumental in establishing the International Studies programme at ABU when he was Head of the Department of Political Science.
He emphasised on the domestic basis for successful foreign policy and the projection of a country’s foreign policy as a reflection of the strength of its economy and human assets.
He also noted the linkage between domestic and foreign policies to achieve a viable international relationship.
Gambari disclosed that Nigeria’s many best diplomats were trained at the university’s Department of Political Science and International Studies.
He also explained that as a diplomat, he was able to take many decisions on foreign policy based on his background and experience at Ahmadu Bello University.
Gambari further thanked the Association for the decision to recognise and honour the good works of his former academic colleagues.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Attahiru Jega, commended the association for its decision to honour former deans as a way of celebrating their academic excellence and leadership.
Jega, a former Bayero University Vice Chancellor and also former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), described FASS as a universal community of scholars and literary works.
He appreciated Prof. Gambari for being a mentor to many Nigerian graduates, whose contributions led to the development of international studies discipline in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, said the very best diplomats the nation had came from ABU Department of Political Science and International Studies.
The Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, said Jega changed the luck of academics when he was President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Prof. Ahmed thanked all the honourees for their contributions and meritorious services to the university.
In his welcome address, the National President of the International Studies Alumni Association, Ambassador Muntari Kaita, said they decided to organise the event as a way of giving back to their alma mater.
Kaita expressed gratitude to Prof Gambari and Prof Jega for agreeing to serve as Special Guest of Honor and Chairman of the Occasion respectively.
The symposium lecture titled “African Academic Excellence: Implications for Politics and Development in Africa”, was delivered by Prof. David Moveh.
He noted that FASS have nurtured a generation of policy thinkers and activists who had contributed tremendously to the growth and development of Nigeria and the African continent.
Prof. Moveh, who teaches at the Department of Political Science and International Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, said the Zaria School of History nurtured within the FASS was pioneered by Prof Abdullahi Smith.
He also said the Zaria School of History was known for the provocation and organisation of seminars and conferences.
Prior to the creation of the school, according to him, Africa was projected as not to have history, but the vision of the school led to the decolonization of African historiography.
Prof. Moveh said government and stakeholders should continue to prioritise education for the revival of the good old days of FASS.
In a goodwill message, the Director, MacArthur Foundation Africa, Dr. Kole Shettima, said it was very interesting and commendable to recognise leaders and scholars who had sacrificed their lives for humanity.
Shettima credited ABU Zaria with a legacy of diversity, especially ethnic and foreign diversity, saying “there is no state in Nigeria that is not represented at the students and staffing level in ABU Zaria, as well as foreign students and lecturers.”
In another goodwill message, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, expressed delight for the invitation extended him to participate at the August event.
Represented by the Barden Kerarriyan Zazzau, Arc. Haruna Abubakar Bamalli, the Emir enjoined the organisers to maintain the spirit of giving back to the university.
Speaking on behalf of all the honourees, Prof. Uka Ezenwe, expressed happiness for the recognition and honour accorded to them by the Association.
Plaques were presented to the past Deans and other notable personalities at the occasion.
Also, a landmark monument built by the Association to immortalize the deans was unveiled by Prof Ibrahim Gambari to climax the symposium.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
