niianews

Newsletter of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs

Volume 1 No. 2 April-June, 2005

In this issue: NIIA AND CHATHAM HOUSE RENEWED PARTNERSHIP NIIA and Chatham House: Renewed Partnership - International Affairs, Speical Edition Launch - Roundtable Discussion • Niger-Delta Today

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

NIIA Publications Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas (OBE) Professor U. Joy Ogwu (OFR), Director, Chatham House - Nigerian Forum Director-General, NIIA - Nigerian Journal of Interna needed international legitimacy and tional Affairs (NJIA): Special he Nigerian Institute of attention. Edition International Affairs, Lagos, T was established as a ‘think During the visit a unique event - On going Book Projects tank’ on international affairs in occured. For the first time outside of 1961. It has over the years Britain, Chatham House launched its promoted the understanding of flagship journal ‘International international affairs by organising Affairs” – an edition specifically workshops, seminars, conferences, dedicated to African issues. lectures and the publication of books and journals. While launching the journal, Prof U. Joy Ogwu, OFR, remarked that the The history of its establishment delegation’s visit was an opportunity was revisited when a delegation to reactivate the partnership from the Royal Institute of between NIIA and Chatham House, International Affairs, (Chatham which had become dormant for a House), London, came calling from long time. She added that this April 11-14, 2005. renewed partnership would, Prof. G.O. Olusanya delivering his address at through joint research efforts and the launch of International Affairs Mr. Alex Vines, head of Africa publications, give rise to the Programme, Chatham House, and development of closer ties between leader of the delegation, recounted these two great Institutes. the assistance Chatham House gave towards the establishment of In his response, Mr. Vines endorsed the NIIA, which is modeled after it. the idea that Chatham House and The assistance, which was in the NIIA should develop a practical form of supporting letters to British relationship of jointly conducting government officials in the build up quality research analysis of to NIIA’s birth in December 1961, international affairs. was driven by Charles Carrington, the then Professor of Two roundtable conferences were Commonwealth Relations at held as part of the intellectual Chatham House. Mr. Vines added engagement between the Institutes that the Commonwealth on issues of concern to Britain, L-R: Chatham House Delegates: Jessica Conference held at the NIIA in and the world. One was on Delaney, Tom Cargill, Alex Vines and 1962, was an important landmark, Niger-Delta Today and the other was Caroline Soper as it gave the NIIA the much on Corporate Social Responsibility. 1 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Renewed Partnership ROUDNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS • Concentration on the oil sector has he Royal Institute of shifted attention from other sectors TInternational Affairs (RIIA), whose operations make large profits founded in 1920 and now and yet show no interest in ethical commonly referred to as Chatham issues, eg the banks; • There is a weak legal system which House is a world renowned emboldens disregard to CSR by Institute of international relations corporations that produce harmful based in the heart of London. products in Nigeria.

In 1961, NIIA was established and modeled after Chatham House, but it has functioned for over four Prof. , former Minister of decades without any working Foreign Affairs, Chairman, Roundtable on Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria, relationship with its London- based sister organisation. orporate Social Responsibility(CSR) C is the expectation of society that However, the recent joint events corporate organisations would use their organized by both Institutes from economic strength for broader social and economic goals and would April 11-14, 2005 in Lagos point Prof. U Joy Ogwu, (OFR) delivering her to a renewed interest in demonstrate good conduct by being environmentally responsible and in welcome address partnership. Both Institutes now providing support to communities. aim at charting a joint course for The roundtable made the folowing recommendations: excellence in scholarship as they Corporate Social Responsibility has long been in global pactise, but is consolidate their historic ties. • CSR should be more widely relatively new within the Nigerian social promoted; milieu. However, in this era that is This edition of niianews characterised by the increased • CSR should be people-oriented; reports this new beginning of a divestment by government from various social and economic working relationship between NIIA • A review of the legal and responsibilities and the enhancement and Chatham House. institutional frameworks for CSR in of the role of the private sector, "the Nigeria is needed; idea and practice of CSR is becoming more salient", according to Professor NIIA Address: • Enlightenment of all stakeholders: Ogwu. It is expected that corporate private and public sector, government, 13/15 Kofo Abayomi Street, organisations will operate their that CSR is for all sectors. Victoria Island, businesses in a socially responsible way that would be complemented by G.P.O. Box 1727, Marina, Lagos. The occasion was chaired by Professor investments in communities. When this Bolaji Akinyemi former Minister of Foreign is done, CSR becomes an integral part Telephone: 234-1-2615606-7, Affairs. The lead paper was presented by of the wealth creation process of a Mr. Goodie Ibru, Chairman NEPAD Business Fax: 234-1-2611360 country. Group in Nigeria. Other presenters are Email Address: Caroline Soper of the Chatham House and She further argued that CSR also [email protected]; Dan Ayao Dussey of British American includes support for research activities Tobacco. Website: www.niianet.org by the leading lights of corporate Nigeria. For, "in an increasingly Visit www.niianet.org for full text of the Newsletter Committee globalised world, characterised by papers presented. Chairman: Tonie Nwume mutually interrelated interests, such corporate support for the efforts of NIIA Secretary: James Osoata and other research and academic establishments would be a socially Editorial Team: beneficial endeavour". G. Dinneya Though it is commonly accepted that C. Onoh CSR deals with how companies manage their business processes in order to Ejide Ukelonu produce an overall positive impact on Babatunde Emmanuel society, its structure varies from the one company to the other remarked Mr. Goodie Ibru, the President of African Business Roundtable.

The following observations flowed from the Rountable discussions: Mr Goodie Ibru, Chairman,Ikeja Hotels Published by: • There is inadequate knowledge, Plc and NEPAD Business Group, Nigeria, NIIA Publications Committee information and poor advocacy on presenting his paper on Corporate Social CSR in Nigeria; Responsiblity in Nigeria 2 niianews - Newsletter of the NIIA NIGER-DELTA TODAY

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

Consequently, the economic activities of the people of Niger- Delta, have been negatively impacted by environmental degradation, mass unemployment, youth restiveness and several other social ills. L-R: Ambassador Akporode Clark, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, a guest, and Dr. A. Ogwu In her opening remarks at the (far right) L-R: Dr. Charles Dokubo and Dr. Dan roundtable on Niger-Delta Today, Omoweh, Research fellows with the NIIA the DG NIIA stressed the need for at the Roundtable on Niger-Delta Today the discussion to draw attention to the problems of the area and he Niger-Delta consists of the government's efforts to address following states: Ondo, Edo, them. TDelta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa- Ibom and Cross River. This region occupies prime position as far as Nigeria's political economy is concerned largerly because it is the source of the nation's oil and gas L.R: Amb. Hamzat Ahmadu, Prof. G.O. resources. Olusanya, Prof. U. Joy Ogwu and a guest at the Launch of International Affairs The agitation of the people of the Niger-Delta for improved allocation of resources and infrastructure occupies the front burner in any discourse of Nigeria's political economy. As the source of crude oil Mr. Michael Peel and gas which are the main foreign exchange earners for the nation, the Niger-Delta has suffered the Various papers were presented ravages and repercussions of and discussions held by uncontrolled exploitation of crude oil distinguished scholars and guests. and gas. Mr. Ayao Dussey of BAT Ltd. delivering The papers and discussions his address at the Roundtable on CSR portrayed:  the paradox that is the Niger- CHATHAM HOUSE OFFICIALS ON FAMILIARISATION TOUR: Delta, the goose that lays the - Visit Covenant University and African Leadership Forum in Ota golden egg for the Nigerian state, n the first day of the joint is mired in excruciating poverty;  events, the NIIA officials led the lack of transparency and O accountability of the by the Director-General, Prof. U. multinational oil firms which has Joy Ogwu (OFR) conducted the become the bane of development Chatham House delegates on a issues in Niger-Delta; familiarisation tour of Covenant  the marginalisation of the University and African Leadership indigenous people which has Forum (ALF) in Ota. engendered restiveness of the youth in the region as a result of The officials of both Institutes the environmental pollution, degradation and unemployment; were warmly received by the  the emergence of various militant Prof. P. F. Izedonmi, Bishop David Oyedepo, youth groups engaged in the Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota and despoliation of oil installations; Prof. U Joy Ogwu, (OFR) making her  the proliferation of small arms and remarks light weapons within the Niger- Chancellor, Covenant University, Delta region;  Ota, Bishop David Oyedepo and the need for urgent action with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aize due regard to the endangered Obayan. The University lecturers flora and fauna of the Niger-Delta; and students also had an Paper presenters at the roundtable interactive session with the visiting were Michael Peel, Associate officials. Fellow, Chatham House, London, Dr. Charles Dokubo, Senior L-R: Caroline Soper, Alex Vines, Mr M. At the African Leadership Forum, Research Fellow, NIIA and Dr. Daniel Osawemen (behind), Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, executive OFR, Prof. W.O. Alli and Mr Ayodele Omoweh, Senior Research Fellow, Director, ALF, briefed the visiting Aderinwale at the ALF, Ota NIIA. officials on the activities of the ALF. 3 niianews - Newsletter of the NIIA Launching of Special Edition of International NIIA Publications Affairs

he Special Edition of TInternational Affairs was launched in Lagos on April, 12 2005. International Nigerian Journal of Affairs is the flagship journal of the RIIA (Chatham House), London. Prof. Ogwu, International Affairs during her presentation at the launching (NJIA) - Special Edition of the Special Edition of the Journal gave a brief highlight of the articles L-R. Prof. G. O. Olusanya, Amb. David Angell, contained in the journal. Canadian High Commissioner, Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, (OFR) and Amb. Hamzat Ahmadu at Articles in the Special Edition examined the official opening of the NIIA Exhibition in current issues in African affairs, the Lagos. policies of the British government towards sub-Saharan Africa and the problems they encounter. The journal The Nigerian Forum. Price: N250.00 also focuses upon the seemingly Vol.26, Nos.1-2, Jan.-Feb. 2005 interminable problems associated with Vol.26, Nos.3-4, Mar.-April, 2005 the possession of strategic minerals and For further information on NIIA publications, please visit the Free download centre page of the Institute’s official website www.niianet.org. Articles Inside

The Maritime Sector, Ocean Law and Policy in Nigeria - Wonotanzokan Nzada Tagowa.

International Terrorism: What Policy resources, the proliferation of small Options for Its Control - D. Aondoakaa arms and light weapons, and the Utume imperative of enhancing Africa's capacity to establish peace and security. Ethnic Differences and Perceived Some articles also analyse the relative Marginalization as Psychological Issues constancy of Africa's economic giant, of Conflict in Nigeria - Benjamin South Africa. Osayawe Ehigie

The UN System of Econmic Agencies and the Assault on State Assisted Capitalism in the Third World - Abolade Adeniji

Africa and the World in the 21st Century - James N. Obiegbu Nigerian Forum Briefing Note: Civil Wars and the Modern An Opinion Publication of the NIIA Laws of Armed Conflicts - Fred Aja Agwu

Nigerian Journal of International Affairs, L-R: Prof. W.O. Alli, Mr. M. Osawemen, Mr. Alex Vines Vol.31, No1, 2005. Price: N500.00 and Mrs. Q.F. Coker

On-going Book Projects Upcoming Events: - Debt Relief in Nigeria’s Diplomacy; - South Atlantic and the Gulf of Guinea; • Colloquium on (UN) Reforms and Nigeria's role in the UN - Foreign Policy in the Emerging • Ambassadors Forum to sensitize the public on the AU Summit in July, Nigerian Democrary: Forty Years 2005. Seminar on the International Political economy of Oil and Gas and After; • Nigeria’s National and Regional Imperatives. - The Southern Heartland Thesis; • Roundtable on ECOWAS. - The ECOWAS Agenda: Promoting Good Governance, Peace , Stability and Development. Visit Nigerian Institute of International Affairs www.niianet.org 13/15 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, G.P.O. Box 1727, Marina, Lagos. Telephone: 234-1-2615606-7, Fax: 234-1-2611360 Email Address: [email protected]; Website: www.niianet.org 4