President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime says Nigeria is expected to act aggressively as a big country, noting that the exercise of humility is good for the peace and stability of the world.

According to the regime’s foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, humility can achieve better results in diplomacy when applied to the implementation of Nigeria’s foreign.

Mr Onyeama stated that this postulation contradicts the ideology presented by some scholars who prefer Nigeria to “throw its weight around.”

The minister expressed this thought on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of the book, ‘Humility in Diplomacy’ authored by Bello Kazaure, the chief of protocol at the foreign affairs ministry.

Mr Onyeama stressed humility does not connote weakness but shows the country’s strength. He lauded Mr Kazaure for the book title, which he described as a departure from the everyday perception of many. 

“I really like the title, which is humility in diplomacy, and I think this is very important for a country like Nigeria. Very often, over the past seven years, we hear scholars and others in international relations and foreign affairs writing about what the ministry should and should not be doing, as well as what the diplomats should and should not be doing,” the minister explained.

Mr Onyeama added, “They expect us as a big country to be banging the tables hard and throwing our weight around. Humility in diplomacy is very apt, especially in the context of a lot of what is happening globally. Yes, you might be big, but ultimately, humility is very important. And humility does not denote weakness, rather strength, and especially in the context of diplomacy where you are trying to achieve your own national interest.”

The regime’s foreign affairs minister insisted that “humility can actually help you to be more successful and achieve those interests rather than throwing your weight around, being a bully and being extravagantly proud.”

Mr Onyeama stressed that humility is invaluable “in the life” of the country “where the world is at this particular period of time and to development during this period.”

(NAN)