Committee on Foreign Affairs and Relations: Insights and Expectations.

The two major committees within the National Assembly that focus on contributing to global peace and Nigeria’s international participation are the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Of representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Due to the fact that these committees come from different chambers of the National Assembly, they are headed by different appointed lawmaker(s) but their practices, goals and methods of passing bills are similar. Each committee also has different roles in the fight against global poverty, terrorism and insecurity; National Assembly committees on foreign affairs divide up the organizations and duties that each must create legislation for, and together, form the foreign relations system of the Nigeria.

The Committees on Foreign Affairs in the House: The House Foreign Affairs Committee debates and evaluates bills that impact the bilateral agreement we have with sister and other countries, it’s bills also impact the country’s collaboration(s) with United Nations, African Union, Economic Community Of West African States, the Peace Corps, the enforcement of the Arms Import Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act. It also focuses on the promotion of democracy, peacekeeping and international development.

A few of the National Assembly Foreign Relations Committee’s major areas of jurisdiction that aid in the fight against poverty include economic, military, technical and humanitarian assistance to sister foreign countries, foreign loans, international activities of the Nigerian Red Cross, international law as it relates to foreign policy and the International Monetary Fund.

Recently, the United States president, President Donald Trump in his last ‘state of the union’ address, reeled out new international policies, which expunged some African countries from the tripod assist they provide to third world countries. Unfortunately, Nigeria is one amongst these countries that will painstakingly go through hurdles to benefit from direct AID, War Against Counter-Terrorism and Trade And Investment in Africa. However, the announcement of new committee leadership by the Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila led 9th assembly springs hope to our bilateral relations with countries like USA ��, UK ��, France �� etc.

With the non-visa-Free entry of Nigerians to some sister African countries, lots are expected of the new house leadership on foreign affairs committee. A plate full of priorities awaits them, as they must juggle through bilateral storms to rebuild the already battered image of Nigeria Internationally. This was made known by the deputy Chairman of the house committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri MHR (Okigwe North).

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By: Obi Bright Chinweuba

Culled: http://obinna.org/committees-on-foreign-affairs-and-relations-insights-and-expectations/