Deputy Speaker Urges International Relations Students to Build Careers on Patriotism
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has challenged young Nigerians aspiring to careers in diplomacy and international. relations to cultivate a deep love for their country before seeking to represent it on the global stage. 
Kalu gave the advice while receiving students of the Department of International Relations, Madonna University, Okija Campus, during an educational visit to the National Assembly over the weekend.
The excursion formed part of the students’ academic programme aimed at exposing them to the practical workings of governance, diplomacy and Nigeria’s foreign relations architecture.
Addressing the students, the Deputy Speaker stressed that effective representation of a country begins with patriotism, noting that genuine diplomacy is driven by commitment to national interests and love for one’s homeland.
He said:
He said: “I understand most of you are from the Department of International Relations. You are going to be Ambassadors tomorrow. You are going to champion the image of the country out there. But you must understand your country first before you represent your country outside. So, your representation starts from patriotism. The spirit of patriotism, your love for Nigeria is what is going to drive you to stand and represent Nigeria tomorrow. So, if you want to a representative of Nigeria outside the shores of Nigeria, the best way to start is by loving your country”.
Kalu acknowledged that Nigeria faces numerous challenges but maintained that no other country could replace one’s homeland, regardless of opportunities abroad.
Drawing inspiration from the founder of Madonna University, Rev. Father Emmanuel Mathew Edeh, he said nation-building is only possible when citizens are motivated by genuine love for their country.
According to him: “I know we have so many challenges but I tell you I have been around the world and I can assure you there is no place like home.
“So, when we finally send out in the coming years to become ambassadors, you are going to live there. But you will go and come back and the only thing that will bring you back is the love you have for our great nation. If Rev. Father Edeh didn’t love our country, he will not build that citadel of learning that is producing champions and captains. It is because he first loved Nigeria.
“Do you love Nigeria? That is where it starts. You can’t represent what you don’t love. What you love is what you represent because if you represent what you love, you do it passionately without anybody telling you what to do. I congratulate you on coming to the People’s House. I pray that your dreams will become a reality”.
Earlier, Kalu, through his Chief of Staff, Mr Sam Hart, delivered a lecture titled “The Legislature and Nigeria’s External Relations in the Fourth Republic”, where he highlighted the increasingly important role of the National Assembly in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
He explained that while the President remains the chief architect of Nigeria’s foreign policy, Parliament plays a vital supporting role through legislation, oversight and diplomatic engagements.
According to the lecture: “While the President remains the chief architect of foreign policy, the Constitution assigns Parliament specific duties to assist in making those policies work at home and abroad. Foreign policy is not made only in presidential palaces and ministries; it is increasingly shaped in parliaments where the voices of the people meet the interests of the nation.
“One of the most significant developments in international relations over the past three decades has been the rise of Parliamentary Diplomacy.
“Parliamentary diplomacy refers to the engagement of legislators with foreign governments, international organisations, and global parliamentary bodies to advance national interests. Today, many diplomatic breakthroughs occur not only through executive negotiations but also through legislative interactions.
“The National Assembly has emerged as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s engagement with the world. Through legislation, oversight, treaty domestication, parliamentary diplomacy, economic reforms, and regional cooperation, Parliament continues to shape Nigeria’s place in the international system.
“As students of International Relations, you stand at the threshold of a profession that will define the future of nations. The world you are preparing to enter is increasingly interconnected, complex, and competitive. Nigeria needs young leaders who can think globally, act strategically, and serve patriotically”.
The visit provided the students with a firsthand understanding of the workings of Nigeria’s legislature and its role in shaping both domestic governance and international engagement.
The Deputy Speaker encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies and prepare themselves for leadership roles in diplomacy, governance and public service, stressing that patriotism, integrity and competence would remain essential qualities for future representatives of Nigeria on the world stage.
