By Abdulkadir Shehu Azare
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is a grass-roots politician, unshakable member and one of the founding fathers of All Progressives Congress (APC). His commitment to his party has never faltered. Having served with distinction as a member of the Federal House of Representatives and with excellence and vision as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a Minister of Foreign Affairs exemplifies the new progressive leadership that Nigeria needs in dire times of economic depression and the numerous developmental challenges bedeviling the country. More than ever before, Nigeria needs the intervention of its best brains to reposition the country for development. Minister Tuggar is renowned for philanthropy; he is the kind of leader Nigeria needs in the dire times like this. More than ever before, Nigeria needs leaders with hearts and brains to think and anew and act decisively for national development. Ambassador Tuggar is a unique leader fit for the challenging times that we are in as a nation. This observation goes in line with the testimony of Honourable Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa, Member Federal House of Assembly representing Gamawa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, and I quote:
“ ….. Ambassador Tuggar is a symbol of pride and a beacon of hope to our constituency, he is a man of decorum, integrity and focused leader whose footprints in politics are worthy of excellence, we assure you that Tuggar will uplift the country to the highest pedestrian of success”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, 21st August, 2023 swore in 45 Ministers who were earlier cleared by the Senate. The inauguration was held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja. The Ministers were sworn in in batches but were all inaugurated on the same day. In his speech the President stated;
“The Men and Women who have been sworn-in, have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in public and private sector. They reflected the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new roles an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the mention of years and also continue to rebuild the Nation and re-engineer all collapses and differences, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future.’’
The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, (OON) on the day being sworn and in his first speech remarked that in the coming days of meeting with many staff of the Ministry, there would be effort to better understand the needs of the Ministry and develop plans to tackle the challenges bedeviling it and the country at large. He said “in due time we will also be unveiling a new vision for Nigerians foreign policy, “4-D Diplomacy”. Through this doctrine centered on Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora, we hope to find modern solutions in order to address complex modern problems. I will be counting on your cooperation and partnership. By the special Grace of God and with your support, I believe we can place Nigeria where she belongs- at the pinnacle of visional and global decision making. God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. The 4-D Diplomacy known as “TINUBU DOCTRINE” was officially unveiled on Monday, 11, 2023 by His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, (OON). The Minister introduced the administration’s foreign policies in his opening remarks at the launching of the President Bola Tinubu 4Ds Foreign Policy Exhibition in Abuja. He stated that policy doctrine provided a dynamic and unique concept that is anchored on “Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora”, noting that the “exhibition showcase Nigeria’s history and diplomatic engagements”.
Foreign Minister Tuggar noted that democracy had come to stay as the universally accepted form of governance that guarantees freedom, human rights and the rule of law, adding that Nigeria is keen on strengthening democracy in Africa and the world at large. Despite the challenges in democracy, it must be upheld by the people as the best form of government, to champion the will of the people. He said that for us as a country, democracy is what we have, what we must cherish and what we will continue to encourage both in Africa and across the world.
On development, the Minister noted that there was a need for the removal of major impediments to development in Nigeria and the African continent, adding that “we intend to , among others, leverage on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, to facilitate the exchange of goods and services, while fast-tracking trade and investments through economic cooperation, fair trade, global health initiatives, stable and transparent global governance and building capacity for entrenching sustainable socio-economic development”.
The Minister stated that with Nigeria’s demography, the youthful population of the country is soaring high in fintech, music, arts, sports and many more and therefore, the country’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagements will be used to showcase the vibrant young talents and skills that the young population possesses for national development.
In terms of the diaspora, as one of the pillars of the 4Ds, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) pointed out that remittances of Nigerians living in diaspora have become a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development. “Mr President acknowledges this and believes that a well-structured diaspora community will continue to be a catalyst for Nigeria’s imaging and veritable source of direct investment”, he said.
The unveiling of the Foreign Policy (TINUBU DOCTRINE) which is first of its kind in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs atrium, was attended by more than 160 Heads of Missions, government dignitaries and other stakeholders. The Tinubu Doctrine is one of the Renewed Hope Policies that is moving the country to the highest level, which is the level at where His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar operates.
The first one year of Yusuf Maitama Tuggar as Minister of Foreign Affairs has seen him transverse the seven continents and the seven oceans of the world in pursuance of the Tinubu Doctrine. He has played a significant role in the enhancement of excellent relations between Nigeria and the global community. Excellence is the mark of leaders that have a vision of making their country great by creating an enabling environment for investments and businesses to thrive. At the inception of his administration, President Tinubu pledged to provide thousands of jobs to youth and to fulfill this promise there is need for creating an enabling environment for investment, trade and exchange of goods and services without bottlenecks. This requires collaboration and ties with different countries of the world. Not only that, Nigeria should also establish certain key foreign policy objectives that will bring peace and stability to the West African sub region, African continent, and other countries of the world. Government is required to take steps towards advancement of global cooperation, peace, unity, and progress. The 4-D diplomacy unveiled by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) is a key to achieving this. The Minister has shown capacity talk about the plan, but more importantly, to walk the talk. Just an introduction of the work.