Abdussamad Dasuki has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint retired military officers as ambassadors. Dasuki represents Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State. He believes their experience is crucial for Nigeria’s next batch of envoys.
Why Retired Military Officers?
In a recent statement, Dasuki highlighted Nigeria’s wealth of skilled military officers. These officers have extensive strategic and tactical training. They have also participated in high-level operations. Their careers have provided invaluable battlefield experience.
Dasuki argued for deploying these retired officers as ambassadors. They would be particularly useful in nations offering military support. Their roles would also cover the procurement of arms and armaments. This equipment is vital for fighting terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
Leveraging Experience for National Interest
He stated, “Our retired senior military personnel have served this nation with distinction. They possess a firsthand understanding of modern warfare. This includes counterterrorism strategies and defence procurement. Such expertise uniquely positions them to advance Nigeria’s interests abroad.”
“Deploying them as envoys would strengthen negotiations for military hardware. It would also provide the government with informed, experience-based strategic advice. Our military currently needs modern reconnaissance drones and armed UAVs. These are crucial to combat armed conflicts. Such conflicts pose existential threats to Nigeria,” Dasuki added.
Security-Focused Foreign Policy
Dasuki acknowledged the President’s constitutional power to appoint ambassadors. However, he stressed the current realities. These demand a security-focused approach to foreign representation. This is especially true for strategic countries.
He stated, “Insecurity has been Nigeria’s most pressing challenge for over two decades. The situation has worsened recently. We see unacceptable levels of killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks nationwide. These are extraordinary times. They demand extraordinary strategic alignment. This includes our foreign policy direction. It also covers the calibre of individuals deployed to advance it.”
Dasuki also noted that a nation’s strategic needs should guide its foreign policy. This is vital when selecting envoys. It applies particularly to countries where military and security cooperation is a priority.
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