Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, on Monday officially inaugurated a 4D foreign policy doctrine for Nigeria anchored on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora, saying the nation’s development depends on it.

Tuggar said in Abuja during the inauguration and exhibition that the ceremony presented a unique ambience crystallising the cultural heritage, values, and aspirations of the people of Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world.

“We are a people bound by common history and diverse cultures yet united for development, peace, progress, and prosperity.

“Nigeria and indeed, Africa’s development depends increasingly on a new line of vision, which has been well articulated in President Bola Tinibu’s new foreign policy concept.

“In the same way, this exhibition has been carefully set up to, among other things, showcase Nigeria’s history and diplomatic engagements.”

According to the minister, democracy is a universally accepted form of governance that guarantees freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

He said the ambit of democracy comes with the burden of ensuring its viability and functionality to embrace divergent interests and ensure that democratic institutions are strengthened to serve the collective interests of the people.

“The President’s keen interest is in strengthening democracy and underscoring the opportunities that come with it, as well as the challenges that confront it,” the minister added.

Tuggar emphasised the need for the removal of major impediments to the development of democracy in Nigeriain particular, and the Africa in general.

He said the continuous cycle of dependence did not favour the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria needs to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) to facilitate exchange of goods and services.

Tuggar maintained that Nigeria would fast-track trade and investment through economic cooperation, trade fair, global health initiatives, stable and transparent global governance, as well as build capacity for entrenching sustainable socio-economic development.

“We will continue to emphasise that the world is as strong as its weakest link,” he stated.

He highlighted Nigeria’s demography, describing it as the largest black nation in the world with a population of more than 200 million people.

“This alludes to the country’s greatness and how its human capital endowments can be harnessed for national development, which informs the importance accorded to the four DS.

“We are happy to state that the U.S. population of this country is soaring.

“High in FinTech, music, arts, sports, and so forth, our foreign policy and diplomatic engagements will be used to showcase the vibrant young talents and skills that our young population possesses for national development diaspora,” he added.

According to the minister, Nigerians in diaspora plays a pivotal role in the development of the nation.

He said the remittances of Nigerians living in the diaspora have become a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

“Mr. President acknowledges this and believes firmly that a well-structured diaspora community will continue to be a catalyst for Nigeria’s imaging and a veritable source of direct investment, given their unmatched expertise in different fields of endeavor.” (NAN)

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