#Russia Vs #Ukraine Conflict: Foreign Relations Experts Urge Nigeria To Remain Neutral – #Rinu

#Russia Vs #Ukraine Conflict: Foreign Relations Experts Urge Nigeria To Remain Neutral – #Rinu—-The Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN) on Friday, advised the Federal Government to remain neutral amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Nigeria became a member of the Non-Aligned Movement at independence in 1960.

The tone for Nigeria’s non-alignment policy was laid by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in a speech he made at the House of Representatives on Oct. 7, 1960, six days after the country’s independence.

In the speech, Balewa declared that Nigeria would not join any power bloc and that it would follow an independent line.

He said, “no matter from where the truth comes whether it is from the East or from the West, Nigeria will go to the path of truth.”

“I will not weep for Ukraine because foreign policy is about national interest and for national interest to be preserved, it stands to reason to carry your neighbours along.

“Who told Ukraine that its protection lies in the hands of so-called friends, located several miles away from its shores.

“Will it not serve Ukraine’s interest to make friends with a strong neighbour like Russia than to become an enfant terrible of some distant powers that are far from its beckon in times of crisis?

“It is dicey foreign policy to play host to a distant foreign power while sharing borders with a rival foreign power,” Lawal said