Reciprocity is a basis for international relations, according to former Minister of External Affairs, Prof Ibrahim Gambari
Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, says reciprocity is the basis for international relations.
Gambari, who was
Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, spoke as a special guest of honour at a maiden annual symposium organised in Zaria by the International Studies Alumni Association of Ahmadu Bello University.
The event, which took place at the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria, was organised in honor of past Deans of the institution’s former Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, better known as ‘FASS’.
The symposium, ‘African Academic Excellence: Implications for Politics and Development in Africa’, was in partnership with MacArthur Foundation.
Speaking at the occasion, Prof Gambari, who developed the international studies programme for ABU when he was Head of the Department of Political Science, said Nigeria’s many best diplomats were trained at the department.
Gambari explained that as a diplomat he was able to take many decisions on foreign policy based on his background and experience at Ahmadu Bello University.
Prof Gambari thanked the symposium organisers and the alumni association for the decision to recognise and honour the good works of his colleagues.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Occasion, Prof Attahiru Jega, commended the International Studies Alumni Association for its decision to honor former Deans of the famous Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) as a way of celebrating their excellence.
Prof Jega, former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), described FASS as a universal community of scholars.
Jega also appreciated Prof Gambari for being an educational mentor, whose contributions led to the development of international studies discipline in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, said the very best diplomats the nation had came from ABU Department of Political Science and International Studies.
The Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, said Jega changed the luck of academics when he was President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Prof Ahmed thanked all the awardees for their contributions and meritorious services to the university.
In his remarks, the National President of the International Studies Alumni Association, Ambassador Muntari Abdu Kaita, said they decided to organise the event as a way of giving back to their alma mater.
Kaita expressed gratitude to Prof Gambari and Prof Jega for agreeing to serve as Special Guest of Honor and Chairman of the Occasion respectively.
In a paper presentation, ‘African Academic Excellence: Implications for Politics and Development in Africa’, Prof David Moveh said FASS nurtured generation of policy thinkers and activists who had contributed tremendously to the development of the nation.
Prof Moveh, who teaches at the Department of Political Science and International Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, said the Zaria School of History nurtured within the FASS was pioneered by Prof Abdullahi Smith.
He said the Zaria School of History was known for the provocation and organisation of seminars and conferences.
Prior to the creation of the school, according to him, Africa was projected as not to have history, but the vision of the school led to the decolonization of African historiography.
He said government and stakeholders should continue to prioritise education for the revival of the good old days of FASS.
In a goodwill message, the Director, MacArthur Foundation Africa, Dr Kole Shettima, said it was very interesting to recognise leaders and scholars who had sacrificed their lives for humanity.
Dr Shettima also said other notable personalities like the late Prof Abdullahi Mahadi should equally be recognised.
In another goodwill message, His Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, expressed delight for inviting him.
Represented by the Barden Kerarriyan Zazzau, Arc. Haruna Abubakar Bamalli, the Emir enjoined the organisers to maintain the spirit of giving back to the university.
Speaking on behalf of all the awardees, Prof Uka Ezenwe, expressed happiness to the alumni association for the recognition.
Plagues were presented to past Deans and other notable personalities at the occasion.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (AHW)
Saturday, 23rd August, 2025
