MONROVIA – The Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted, on Monday, June 10, 2024, a one-day study tour for more than 40 officers, faculty and students of the Army War College of Nigeria who are visiting Liberia under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defense.
The Army War College of Nigeria conducts an annual tour of Liberia as part of its regional studies module to encourage a cross fertilization of views to enhance security in the West African region. The theme for this year’s study tour is “Protection of Solid Mineral Sector for Enhanced National Security”.
The Foreign Service Institute invited several specialists and academics to present lectures during the study tour. Assistant Professor Martin Scott-TABI, National Coordinator for Chemicals Biological & Radio-Nuclear Risks, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a lecture on the topic, Radiation and Nuclear Security; while Mr. Nathaniel Blama, former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency delivered his lecture on the topic, the Importance of National Resources Governance & Security in Liberia.
Following the lectures, there was an interactive session during which time officers and students of the Army War College of Nigeria posed questions on the issues surrounding security in the sub-region given the prospects of terrorism. Other questions pertained to the prospects for unrest in mineral rich areas of the country from where minerals are being exploited, in the event the livelihood of citizens in those areas is neglected.
In his introductory remarks, the Director General of the Foreign Service Institute, Reginald B. Goodridge, Sr., highlighted the goals of the institute, which include, the exchange of ideas on the political underpinnings of global economic relations, cultural diversity, political development, international relations and integration, climate change, and issues of conflict resolution and sustainable development.
In addition to diplomatic training, Hon. Goodridge said that his institute will collaborate with other academic institutions around the world to enhance research methodology and enrich its curricula. He outlined plans for the Foreign Service Institute to undertake a reciprocal study tour to the Army War College of Nigeria in Abuja in the near future.
Earlier in welcome remarks, Dr. Ibrahim AL-bakri Nyei, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation & Economic Integration gave a brief history of intellectual exchanges between Liberia and Nigeria, and hoped that lessons learned from the study tour would enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Also making remarks were Mr. Sirajo Dogondaji Abubakar, Second Secretary/Consular Officer of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Brigadier Gen. Aminu Mohammed Umar, Head of Delegation of the Army War College of Nigeria. Gen. Umar applauded the Foreign Service Institute for planning what he called a splendid program, and noted that the lecturers had given much clarity on the theme of the study tour. He said he would be pleased to receive the Liberian delegation in Abuja to continue the academic exercise.
The occasion was graced by Ambassador George W. Wallace, Senior Advisor on Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gabriel Salee, Deputy Minister for Administration, and Hon. Karishma Pelham-Praad, Assistant Minister for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Nigerian delegation was accompanied to the study tour by high ranking officers of the Federal Ministry of National Defense.
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