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Posted by Chester Morton / Monday 20 February 2017 / No comments
Why Nigeria is seen as a non-aligned country
Introduction
The Non-Aligned Movement refers to a group of countries who
have decided not to openly side with the eastern or the western bloc when it
comes to international geopolitics. In other words, members of this
international organization believe that no developing country has any business
in assisting any of the super powers in the Cold War. Membership is drawn from
the less developed countries of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe.
The Movement started in Belgrade in 1961 with the Presidents
of Yugoslavia, India, Egypt and Ghana at the time. Initially, the Movement
started with twenty-five members but currently, there are one hundred and
twenty member states and fifteen observer nations.
FACTORS SHOWING THAT
NIGERIA IS A NON-ALIGNED NATION
Belief in the policy of non-interference
One of the factors that proofs that Nigeria is a member of
the Non-Aligned Movement is Nigeria’s policy of non-interference in the
internal affairs of other nations. For example, Nigeria did not lend her
support to the invasion of Afghanistan by Russia or the invasion of Panama by
the United States of America.
Opposed to the proliferation of arms
Another factor that shows that Nigeria is a member of the
Non-Aligned Movement is the fact that Nigeria is opposed to the proliferation
of arms, the arms race among the super-powers of the world and more
importantly nuclear weapons. For example, Nigeria condemned France when the
later tested an atomic bomb over the Sahara desert. To drive home her
abhorrence of the test, Nigeria severed diplomatic relations with France.
Maintains relations with both the East and the Western bloc
Also to prove that Nigeria is a non-aligned nation, Nigeria
has, over the years, maintained diplomatic relationship with countries in both
the Western and the Eastern bloc of the Cold War. Nigeria has continued to
maintain diplomatic missions in both America and Russia. Nigeria also has a
High Commission in Britain.
Participation in international sports
Another reason why Nigeria is regarded as a non-aligned
nation is her participation in international sports, regardless of whether it
is organized by a country from the eastern bloc or a country from the Western
bloc. In 1980, an Olympic game was hosted in the Eastern bloc city of Moscow
and though the event was boycotted by some countries from the western bloc,
Nigeria participated in the games. Four years later, when a similar event was
organized in the Western bloc city of Los Angeles, Nigeria was in attendance
though it was boycotted by some countries from the Eastern bloc.
Nigeria trades with both the East and the Western bloc
Also Nigeria can prove her membership of the non-aligned
movement with the fact that she trades with countries from the Western and the
Eastern bloc, regardless of their ideological leanings. It is a Non-Aligned
Movement policy that countries from the developing world should take advantage
of what is offered them from either the east or the west in order to ensure the
accelerated development of their respective countries.
Acceptance of military assistance from both blocs
Another proof that Nigeria is a member of the Non-Aligned
Movement is that during the Biafran war when the eastern region decided to
secede, she accepted military assistance from Russia though the western bloc
would have wished she had not. Apart from that, Nigeria also receives military
assistance from Britain in the form of equipment and training.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. What is Non-Aligned Movement?
b. Give five
reasons which show that Nigeria is member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
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