Francis Okeke
5 January 2009
A member of the House of Representatives, Wole Oke (PDP, Osun) has said has commended the Federal Government's plans to deploy troops to war-torn Somalia, describing the move as part of the country's obligations to the international community.
Oke, who is chairman of House Committee on Defence made the remark in a chat with reporters in his office at the National Assembly.
He said "Nigeria is a founding father or member of AU, the African Union and Nigeria subscribes to United Nations organisations and its peace keeping activities. So, if the United Nations requests Nigeria to support peace keeping in Somalia, I mean, it's in order for Nigeria to respond in partaking in peace keeping operations. We are not going for war there; we are going for peace keeping operations."
The lawmaker also debunked claims that past interventions by Nigeria in other countries have only led to losses for the nation.
According to him, "that will be a layman's perception. We have a foreign policy and we also have our national defence policy. In Africa, we are our brothers' keepers. Nigeria is a medium power in Africa and if there are problems in Africa and it's unchecked, Nigeria will bear the brunt. So, if the United Nations requests Nigeria to support peace keeping in Somalia, I mean, it's in order for Nigeria to respond in partaking in peace keeping operations. We are not going for war there; we are going for peace keeping operations. It is a step towards restoration of peace in that country. If the United Nations looked around and resolved that it is only Nigeria that can bail them out and request Nigeria to restore peace in Somalia, then you see, people shouldn't confuse peace keeping operations to a war theatre. We are not deploying troops for war, their operations in Somalia is peacekeeping operations."
"The United Nations that has taken it upon itself to look for funds, support peacekeeping operations, they are not foolish, we are all worthy members of the human race and peace is very essential.If you have problem in Lome here, and you fold your hands, before you know it, it will escalate into Nigeria. So, Nigeria as a major power in Africa cannot just fold her hands and allow her fellow brothers to continue to wedge wars against themselves," he added.
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