I sincerely think that as a country we were careless at the last United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
I really should pay more attention to ascertain if our longstanding foreign policy of “Non-alignment” has changed and why. The Israeli-Palestinian debacle predates Nigeria’s independence, and upon independence in 1960 the crafters of our foreign policy designed the “Non-alignment” policy, choosing to focus more on Africa in the context of our international relations.
As the most populous black nation on earth, Nigeria matter and where we stand on international issues bear huge consequence especially for ally countries.
Going to the UNGA 80 to openly canvass for an independent state of Palestine is a redflag. Yet, we have done so little in maintaining regional and continental political stability. From Niger to Burkinafaso, Mali to Sudan, Africa has constantly dipped into dictatorships with Nigeria “doing nothing” to assert its big brother role in ensuring order. With huge internal distractions from terrorist groups and separatist movements, I think it will not be in our informed best interest to stoke international tensions. Worse still with an irate US-Isreal interest.
Whatever it is we are getting from the Organization of Islamic Countries (OICs) can actually not substitute for the fundamental peace we need as a country. It is time to remain non-aligned, focus more on Africa, our region and our country and leave the global power blocs to sort themselves out.
— Mazi Ejimofor Opara