Paul Arkwright |
But not done, the high commissioner
recommended a holistic reform of the Nigerian
judiciary, and an overhaul of the security and other government institutions
ostensibly to improve the quality of governance. He even wants
the prisons comprehensively reformed too. These ‘suggestions’ fall far short of
acceptable diplomatic norms.
First, Arkwright’s comments cast doubt, with
no proof yet, on the intention of the sitting government and impugn its
capability to manage and apply public funds for the greatest good of the
greatest number of the citizens. Second, the entire suggestions constitute
interference in the internal affairs of this country contrary to Article
41(1) of the Vienna Convention. They also do not promote friendly relations
that are one of the functions of adroit diplomacy.
The utterly reckless
behaviour of Nigeria’s political, government, and business
elite which has indeed given cause for the British envoy to
speak as he did, are well known. If there were no thieving Nigerians
who, in collusion with foreign bankers, lawyers and facilitators are,
sufficiently unpatriotic to stash their loot in,
and for the development of foreign countries,
surely there would not at all be cause
for foreigners to begin to define terms on which
Nigeria can spend its own money. The whole truth about
repatriated Sani Abacha loot remains hidden from the Nigerian public. Were
there no government officials so bereft of integrity as to re-loot
repatriated funds, comments such as ascribed to Arkwright would not arise.
So, fundamentally, Nigerians, or just a
fraction of the population really are the cause of the disrespect or disdain in
which the country and a whole people are treated.
But building Nigeria is work in progress and far more citizens
are sufficiently unhappy with the state of
things to welcome and support any and every effort to this
end – including from abroad. Indeed, this is the reason Nigerians voted
for a change of government.
A friendly country like the United Kingdom is
rightly expected to help improve quality of governance in all
aspects. However, this must be done within the bounds of reciprocal
respect, with due sensitivity to the sovereignty of this country, and
without adopting a teacher-on- responsible-management posture.
The point must be made with all emphasis
that every jurisdiction that respects international laws and
conventions as well as seeks, in its very own interest, the
economic stability of other nations, has a duty to prevent
illicit, corrupting funds into its financial system. Besides, no one should
conveniently forget the axiom that the thief of public money and the colluding
receiver are both guilty. Nations that allow, by acts of omission or
commission, inflow of stolen money bear at least, moral liability for the
crime.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should watch
more closely the manner in which representatives of foreign countries have
lately gone about their assignments. Too many visits to persons and places
for not-so-clearly-purposeful reasons, uncalled for utterances that make
Nigeria look bad and its people look less than responsible;
these are not acceptable and must stop. The institution to enforce this
is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In so far as the ministry is
‘dedicated to the vigorous pursuit of the vital national
interests’ of this country, it can be reasonably construed
that these interests necessarily include that Nigeria and its
people are treated with respect within and outside its shores.
The ministry should live up to its mission statement. (Guardian)
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