Bakassi: Nigeria made mistake by going to ICJ - Anyaoku

Anyaoku made the observation on Wednesday at the second annual lecture and book launch of the Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA) in Abuja

He said that the wishes of the people of the Peninsula should have been allowed to determine where they choose to belong to.

Anyaoku cited the Falkland Islands, which originally belonged to Argentina, but were ceded to the UK after the people determined that they wanted to be in the UK.

He also cited the case of the Rock of Gibraltar, which originally belonged to Spain, but became a legal part of the UK after a referendum by the people.

Anyaoku suggested that since Nigeria had lost out of the case, the next step was to intensify diplomatic dialogue with Cameroun, with a view to ensuring that the people of Bakassi were adequately taken care of.

``I think that this was what Nigerians should have done, but having failed to do that, I think Nigerians should live with the afterthought.

``And secondly, let government now look out for Nigerians in Bakassi, who have chosen to return to Nigeria.

``This should be the focal point of our policy on Bakassi.’’

Anyaoku said the country was doing well with its foreign policy since President Goodluck Jonathan assumed power.

He said the policies had been ``forcefully articulated’’ by the President and the Minister of Foreign affair, Amb. Gbenga Ashiru.

``Nigeria does have a foreign policy and it has been more forcefully articulated since President Goodluck Jonathan came into office.

``Gbenga Ashiru, the foreign minister, has never missed any opportunity to articulate the coountry’s policy with the promotion of the nation's economic interest.

``He speaks about protection and defence of Nigerians in Diaspora and I am happy about that.’’

Anyaoku called on the Federal Government to pay attention to the country’s missions abroad by adequately funding them.

He said the missions were the face of the government abroad, and so, ``must reflect the real image of the country to others outside the shore of Nigeria''.

Mr Thomas Mattig, the Resident Representative, FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUN Nigeria, said the organisation would promote a better understanding and a public discussion of Nigeria’s international relations and foreign policy.

Mattig said the organisation would promote research and publication on Nigeria’s foreign policy through