Welcome and Introductory Remarks by Mr. Oseloka Obaze
At the formal presentation the book by Prof Ibrahim Gambari
titled “Africa At the United Nations In A Changing World Order”
At the Africa Observer Mission to the United Nations, New York
Wednesday, 26 September 2007,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
On behalf of the Friends of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, I would like to welcome you all to this formal presentation of his book, Africa At the United Nations In A Changing World Order.
I wish to welcome in particular, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H. E. Umaru Yar’Adua, H. E. Bukola Saraki Governor of Kwara State, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Permanent Representatives to the UN the various dignitaries, friends and colleagues who have joined us this evening.
I have been asked to say a few words, in lieu of a book review. Well, the first thing that needs to be said is that this book, like the author, is interesting, frank and revealing. But it needs to be said also, that a volume of collected speeches such as this, find its merit in filling gaps and helping researchers and historians in their work. Also, they also immortalize events for posterity.
The present volume covers the period 1990 to 2004, when Gambari was a pivotal player in Nigerian and African diplomacy at the UN. That period was also marked by three watershed events: the end of the Cold War (1990), Rwanda Genocide (1994) and the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States (2001). These were historical events which in different ways affected Africa and our world.
The forty-four selected speeches in this volume are compartmentalized into ten neat and related sections. As Prof. Gambari observed, they reflect his “belief in the concept of concentric circles of foreign policy interest, objectives and priorities that is, from Nigeria at the core, extending to Africa, South-South cooperation and the rest of the world”.
Though some thematic issues are also covered in this work; all the selected speeches have some significant political relevance. Three speeches in particular, stand out as being of utmost importance. “The Security Council and the (Mis) Handling of the Tragic Situation in Rwanda (1994-1995): An African Perspective” (p.75); “Challenges of United States Policy Towards Africa” (p.423) and “Africa in A New World Order” (p.493).
All said, I believe the value of this volume lies in the balance and perspective from which the speeches were delivered. Indubitably, Gambari can authoritatively speak of the role of the UN Security Council in the Rwandan fiasco, because it coincided with Nigeria’s tenure on the Council.
There is hardly any issue of controversy in this volume. Nonetheless, its contents are sufficiently illuminating in that they shed light on the intricacies of diplomatic efforts, which were carried out behind the scene as well as overtly, in order to keep Africa’s interest in the forefront of international concern, amidst other competing interests.
Gambari’s collection joins an elite class of similar compendiums by African scholar-diplomats. It offers an insight-- a truly African perspective- of an era that has been identified as the end of history, not just for Africa but for mankind.
Finally, in presenting this volume, one must pay tribute to Thomas Okpaku, Esq., the editor, for putting together this volume. I thank you.