Security challenges should not stop Nigeria’s progress – Agha Umer Farooq
Nigeria and Pakistan maintain close bilateral relations and the cooperation was further strengthened with the visit of the Pakistani President, Mamnoon Hussain, to Nigeria in 2014 when both countries signed agreements that increased the volume of bilatera
Daily Trust: How would you assess existing bilateral ties between Nigeria and Pakistan? Nigeria and Pakistan relations started with two basic family factors. One is both countries’ flags,-white and green, while the second is the Pakistan motto, which is, ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’, while that of Nigeria is ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’. The relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan is based on the slogan; that is, peace and progress. Looking at these parameters- peace and progress, Pakistan has for long been providing all the necessary capacity building and training for the Nigerian armed forces and the Nigerian government to take care of its security challenges. Apart from our major contributions to international bodies like the United Nations, Pakistan has also contributed to peace building and development in Nigeria.
On progress, Pakistan and Nigeria cooperation in terms products is increasing, especially in agriculture and education. Over the decades, we have drawn non-formal MoUs which are the stepping stones to achieving the future objectives based on President Buhari’s vision of security and agriculture. These are the two areas that we have potentials to achieve progress between our two nations. We have an open foreign policy, therefore we make effort to strengthen our cooperation to ensure that Nigeria progresses and finds its true place in the comity of nations.
DT: Which area of the cooperation do you plan to improve?
I think Nigeria can focus on drawing from Pakistan’s experience in developing small and cottage industries and development of skills and human resource. I’m very mindful and appreciative of the Nigerian technical schools and colleges which allow people to benefit from development of skills. But then, these skills can only be useful when you translate opportunities in the private sector. Schools can only give diplomas and certificates, private sectors give you incentives and opportunities. This is one area that Pakistan can provide not only expertise and blueprints but also allows Nigerian policy makers to drive the private sector to be able to employ people of skills and experience.
DT: In efforts to strengthen ties between both countries, a number of memoranda of understanding were drafted. So far, how many of them have been signed and what’s the level of implementation?
We have formally signed seven MoUs but we have more than eleven other kinds of memoranda in which we have agreed to cooperate and work together. Those seven MoUs have been formally signed and endorsed by both governments. The agreements are there but their implementation has been slowed down due to the current economic realities in Nigeria. But as the Nigerian government is working on reviving the economy, I think the agricultural, health, industrial and educational sectors will improve and Pakistan is more than ready to provide assistance.
The High Commission here is already bridging the gap between the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that of Pakistan with a view to sending delegations from both state and federal governments to Pakistan to see for themselves, what kind of cooperation and benefit they can draw from our experience.
DT: What’s your take on NigeriaPakistan bilateral trade relations?
The trade relationship between both countries is also affected by two factors. First one is the financial or economic situation while the second is trade based on informal patronage, with people going to China to get goods and doing their marketing in Pakistan. The informal trade is progressing with the open visa policy that is very excellent. There are very large numbers of traders who are going informal, though the government does get the revenue but then it is not happening through the formal banking channels. Meanwhile, we already have some well-established government channels working in terms of air force development, military training and equipment. So, I would not say the formal channel is close but the informal, people-to-people channel is progressing and working better right now than the government-established channels.
DT: What can Nigeria learn from Pakistan in tackling security challenges?
Pakistan has seen the brunt of security challenges based on geo-politics of our region but we had made tremendous progress despite those challenges. Pakistan has encountered the challenge probably much better than other nations facing similar challenges. Rightly, the security challenges are there which our nation should not only address but also safeguard the people against terrorist attacks, but that does not stop the livelihoods, the commercial and economic activities and life of the nation. That’s the lesson I would like Nigeria to pick from Pakistan because we faced very serious security challenges but that has not affected our path to real progress. The economy, education, development and industrial sectors are all working.
For Nigeria, as one segment is engaged in fighting the security challenges like Boko Haram, other segments must focus on developing agriculture, education and pharmaceuticals so that the country keeps moving. I think Nigeria government has made a very clear policy on that and I feel very positive and optimistic that the country will overcome the challenges because the policy is moving in the right direction.
DT: Is there any exchange programme between Nigeria and Pakistan?
There are exchange programmes because we have delegations going and coming and there are several people going to study in Pakistan on scholarships as well as military training. We also have delegations from Pakistan visiting Nigeria to share experiences and ideas.
DT: What’s the population of Nigerians in Pakistan?
The Nigerian population in Pakistan is based on tree factions. The first one is the student population, which is a sizeable number compared to Nigerians going to India, China, US and UK to study. In those days, Nigerian students in Pakistan used to be between 600 and 700. The other two factions are those who got married to Pakistanis and those doing joint ventures and businesses there.
DT: Having been in Nigeria for some time, what is impression about Nigerians?
Nigeria is full of the greatest human resource, pious and resilient people and these help them to excel. That is why Nigerians have done very well in the sciences, history and technical education. I would like to see Nigeria following up its big brother role as the leading nation in Africa, playing tremendous role not only in regional affairs but also at the international level.
DT: What would you say about Pakistan after 70 years of independence?
Pakistan has crossed the river of blood and destruction. The country did not come into being through a peaceful and civilized mechanism unlike Nigeria. There were millions of lives lost and huge destruction of properties. That’s why Pakistan is rated very highly not only in education, agriculture and industry but also in human resource. Pakistan, apart from its achievement as one of the most vibrant economies, has one of the most dynamic armed forces and scientific colleges. We had seen the worst and that gave us the resilience that we have today.
For Nigeria, as one segment is engaged in fighting the security challenges like Boko Haram, other segments must focus on developing agriculture, education and pharmaceuticals so that the country keeps moving. I think Nigeria government has made a very clear policy on that and I feel very positive and optimistic that the country will overcome the challenges because the policy is moving in the right direction.