By Gloria Ikibah.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reaffirmed the welfare and interests of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora as the central focus of the country’s foreign policy. 
Enikanolaiye said the policy direction was an integral part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that Nigeria’s diplomacy must have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
The Minister stated this when women from Yagba South East District in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, led by their National President, Chief Ms Ojo Iyabode, paid him a solidarity visit in his office.
Enikanolaiye, who is Patron of the grassroots women’s group, Chairman of the Yagba South East Development Association and Agba Akin of Yagba South East, commended the women for their contributions to medical outreach, women and youth empowerment and community development.
He also pledged his continued support for the group.
He said: “It’s an honour to be visited by you. It’s a rare thing to be recognised and celebrated at home, especially by women. I do not take this visit for granted. Anyone who plays with the role of women is playing with fire.
“I’m impressed by your level of organisation. I thank you for your love, discipline, and integrity. I’m aware of your impacts in the areas of medical outreach, which has saved many lives, and your cooperative society. You have been remarkably successful in community development and especially in the empowerment of women and children. We can only continue to support you and inspire the younger ones.”
Focus on the 4Ds
The Minister explained the Federal Government’s 4Ds foreign policy thrust — Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy — describing the four components as critical to the country’s current diplomatic direction.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working to align Nigeria’s foreign policy with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, while ensuring that diplomacy delivered tangible benefits to citizens.
Enikanolaiye said the Ministry was also working to ensure that foreign policy promoted Nigeria’s national interest, welfare, prosperity and economic wellbeing.
“Demography is about the people. About you and I, everyone of us. That is the view that foreign policy must impact in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Otherwise, foreign policy remains just foreign, with the Ministry dealing more with foreigners. We are trying to change that orientation. We are trying to see that what we do here focuses on the lives of an average Nigerian”, he added.
“That is why the President goes around to promote Direct Foreign Investment, DFI. That is why we carry our people in the diaspora along as critical assets for national development,” he said.
On the development component of the policy, the Minister said the Ministry was seeking to harness Nigeria’s resources and international partnerships to promote human security, education, infrastructure and other areas that affect citizens.
“We are trying to show that foreign policy promotes the lives and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians. We are trying to encourage small and medium enterprises to do better. We encourage better packaging of our product so that they receive immediate international acceptance. There are immense opportunities such as low interest loans through OIC for example and ECOWAS out there that Nigerians don’t know much about or how to maximise. Our job is to raise awareness and we encourage you to key into them,” the Minister said.
He cited his recent engagements in Maiduguri and Bauchi as examples of the Ministry’s efforts to connect Nigeria’s foreign policy with economic and security opportunities.
Enikanolaiye said he travelled to Maiduguri about four weeks earlier to discuss security along the Lake Chad Basin and was in Bauchi the previous week for discussions on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
He encouraged Nigerians, particularly small and medium-scale businesses, to take advantage of available regional and international opportunities.
The Minister pledged to remain committed to his responsibilities and the interests of his constituents, while appealing to the women to continue supporting and praying for the Federal Government.
He noted that the prayers of mothers remained important to those entrusted with public responsibilities.
Earlier, the National President of the group expressed the women’s delight over the appointment of Enikanolaiye and his recognition at the national level.
She congratulated him on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure in service to the country.
“Your new office comes with significant responsibilities, as you are representing Nigeria and contributing to the advancement of our nation’s diplomatic relations and international interests. We are confident that your wisdom, experience, integrity, and commitment to service will make a meaningful difference in this important role”, Iyabode said.
She said the group was proud of the Minister’s achievements and thanked President Bola Tinubu for considering their son worthy of the appointment.
The women’s leader also prayed for wisdom, strength, good health and courage for Enikanolaiye as he carries out his responsibilities in the service of the nation.
