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BRICS Platform Could Strengthen Africa's Sovereignty Over Natural Resources: Nigerian Rector
BRICS Platform Could Strengthen Africa's Sovereignty Over Natural Resources: Nigerian Rector
Sputnik Africa
On July 15-17, a roundtable was held in Moscow under the title "Prospects of cooperation of BRICS countries in the field of research, development and rational... 18.07.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-07-18T17:33+0200
2024-07-18T17:33+0200
2024-07-18T17:50+0200
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The proposed BRICS geological platform offers a significant opportunity for African BRICS partners to assert their sovereignty over their mineral resources, Prof. Paul Omaji, Rector of the Admiralty University of Nigeria and head of the "Subsoil of Africa" consortium of universities, told Sputnik Africa in an interview.Speaking on the sidelines of a recent roundtable on BRICS geological cooperation in Moscow, Prof. Omaji highlighted the importance of Russia's recent agreement with a number of African countries, including Nigeria, to assist in mineral resource development.The academic, who is also the head of the "Subsoil of Africa" consortium of universities, believes that the proposed "BRICS geological platform" will provide African countries with a collective voice to advocate for the implementation of the UN Convention on Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, established in the 1960s.Prof. Omaji emphasized that the growing interest of African nations, including Nigeria, in BRICS membership stems from the desire to pursue options that advance national interests and contribute to sustainable development.NATO's Presence in Africa a 'Failure'Prof. Omaji argued that during the presence of Western troops in Africa under the pretext of fighting terrorism, security problems have actually worsened. He suggested that Russia can play a more effective role by addressing the root causes of the problem.He cited the situation in the Sahel region as a prime example of NATO's failed approach.He further recommended that, rather than deploying troops, Western countries should re-evaluate their strategies and recognize that their presence has had counterproductive outcomes.Prof. Omaji proposed that Russia could be a more effective partner in assisting African countries: "Russia can assist African countries in maintaining regional security, maybe by targeting the three areas that the President of Nigeria identified. Namely, intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building."He believes that by tackling the underlying issue of illegal mining, which often fuels terrorist activities, Russia can play a vital role in helping African countries overcome the scourge of terrorism.
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BRICS Platform Could Strengthen Africa's Sovereignty Over Natural Resources: Nigerian Rector
17:33 18.07.2024 (Updated: 17:50 18.07.2024) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
On July 15-17, a roundtable was held in Moscow under the title "Prospects of cooperation of BRICS countries in the field of research, development and rational use of mineral resources." During the event, the geological agencies of BRICS members and partners supported the creation of a joint geological platform to share experience and technology.
The proposed BRICS geological platform offers a significant opportunity for African BRICS partners to assert their sovereignty over their mineral resources, Prof. Paul Omaji, Rector of the Admiralty University of Nigeria and head of the "Subsoil of Africa" consortium of universities, told Sputnik Africa in an interview.
Speaking on the sidelines of a recent roundtable on
BRICS geological cooperation in Moscow, Prof. Omaji highlighted the importance of Russia's recent agreement with a number of African countries, including Nigeria, to assist in mineral resource development.
"We are glad that Russia is taking an active interest in African countries, like the signing of the agreement over lithium with Nigeria," he said. "I believe that this particular agreement with Nigeria to handle lithium is about making sure that we cultivate the elements, the minerals that support green energy."
The academic, who is also the head of the "Subsoil of Africa" consortium of universities, believes that the proposed "BRICS geological platform" will provide African countries with a collective voice to advocate for the implementation of the UN Convention on Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, established in the 1960s.
"I believe that BRICS coming up as a collective group to prosecute some kind of commercial beneficiation for their members is a good initiative for African countries to also explore," he stated.
Prof. Omaji emphasized that the growing interest of African nations, including Nigeria, in BRICS membership stems from the desire to pursue options that advance national interests and contribute to sustainable development.
NATO's Presence in Africa a 'Failure'
Prof. Omaji argued that during the presence of Western troops in Africa under the pretext of fighting terrorism, security problems have actually worsened. He suggested that Russia can play a more effective role by addressing the root causes of the problem.
He cited the situation in the Sahel region as a prime example of NATO's failed approach.
"NATO or Western countries have maintained military presence in a number of these African countries, quote unquote, to fight terrorism, to ensure that there is security. Now, if you map the trajectory of security if you map the trajectories of the peaceful existence of these countries over time, you will discover that insecurity has increased and peaceful existence has diminished," the Nigerian said.
He further recommended that, rather than deploying troops, Western countries should re-evaluate their strategies and recognize that their presence has had counterproductive outcomes.
Prof. Omaji proposed that Russia could be a more effective partner in assisting African countries: "Russia can assist African countries in maintaining
regional security, maybe by targeting the three areas that the President of Nigeria identified. Namely, intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building."
He believes that by tackling the underlying issue of illegal mining, which often fuels terrorist activities, Russia can play a vital role in helping African countries overcome the scourge of terrorism.
