Hospitality:The virtue of Abraham and Lot

HOSPITALITY: THE VIRTUE OF ABRAHAM AND LOT.

‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ Hebrew13:2 (KJV). 

Sometimes ago, I was in a Bible Study Class. I can’t remember the topic for discussion again but I remember that it had to do with Abraham and Lot. People were making comment about Abraham and Lot in regards to what happened in Genesis 13 where the two parted because of strive between their herdsmen (Genesis13:7-8). People’s comment was that Lot was selfish and greedy. He should have allowed his uncle to choose first as courtesy demands and also due to his covetousness he chose the plain of Jordan because it was good leaving his uncle with Jordan (Genesis13:10). As the discussion was going on, I observed a virtue to learn and emulate from Abraham and Lot. The virtue of hospitality.  

In Genesis Chapter 18, the Bible recorded that Abraham, the father of faith, saw two men (Genesis18:2-3) After receiving the two stranger into his house, he gave them water to wash their feet as it was their custom and a morsel of bread (Genesis18:4-7). Abraham gave shelter and food to total strangers. This is an exemplary of hospitality ever recorded in the Bible. Unknown to Abraham that they were the angels of the Lord. After this show of uncommon hospitality, Abraham was rewarded handsomely. His wife Sarah was blessed with the fruit of the womb, (vs10), Abraham was able to know the secret of the Lord (vs17) and blessed by God (vs18). Abraham was indeed a man of hospitality and he reaped the fruits of it. 

Also, in Genesis Chapter 19, Lot the nephew of Abraham exhibited the same virtue.  According to the chapter above, Lot sat at the gate of Sodom and he saw two angels. He went to meet them. He offered them shelter, food and protection. This is great and wonderful. What then did he gain in return for this good gesture? He and his family were saved from the gruesome destruction of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Hospitality pays. 

Hospitality pays a lot as we see in the lives of Abraham and Lot. The teaching of this article is that we should be hospital and friendly to everyone. The Bible says in Hebrew 13:2 (KJV) says ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’   And also Galatians 6:9 (KJV) says, ‘and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’  

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NIGERIAN INVENTORS AND DISCOVERERS

NIGERIAN INVENTORS AND DISCOVERERS. 

What is a discovery?

 According to Google.com a discovery is recognizing something that has already exists for the first time that nobody has found before. E.g. how Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas.

 What is an invention?

 According to Google.com an invention is creating something totally new with one’s own ideas and development. 

 Introduction

 The history of machinery can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. This event marked the drastic movement from manual labour to the use of machines. This was firstly experienced in the cotton industries when John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle in 1733 followed by others. Since then, there has been drastic advancement and development in science and technology which is making life easier and convenient for man. Although the European and American scientists and technologist seem to have a head over the rest in invention and discovery but with the passage of time, some genius African scientists and technologists have proven otherwise. This paper aims at showcasing five prominent Nigerians who had discovered one thing or invented something for the betterment of the society.

 They are:

 1. AUGUSTINE NJOKU OBI (1930-2003)

He was known for the discovery of a vaccine for Cholera in 1970.

 Augustine Njoku Obi was born in 1930 in Owerri, Imo State. He was a Nigerian professor of Virology of the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in Enugu State (UNN). He was the former president of the Nigerian Academy of Science. He was known for developing a vaccine for cholera in 1970 and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) as efficacy in 1971. He died in 2003.

 2. DR. PHILIP EMEAGWALI

 By emulating the bee’s honeycomb construction, Emeagwali used 65,000 processors to invent the world’s fastest computer, which performs computation at 3.1 billion per second. 

Dr. Philip Emeagwali who has been called ‘the Bill Gates of Africa’ was born on August 23, 1954 in Akure, Ondo State. He was raised in Onitsha in the southern eastern part of Nigeria. His early schooling was suspended in 1967 because of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). At the age of 13 he worked as a cook in the Biafra Army. However, his father continued to teach him at home, and everyday Emeagwali performed mental exercises such as solving 100 Mathematical problems in an hour. His father taught him until he ‘knew more than he did’. In 1989, Emeagwali emulating the bee’s honeycomb construction, Emeagwali used 65,000 processors to invent the world’s fastest computer, which performs computation at 3.1 billion per second. His computers are currently being used to forecast the weather and to predict the likehood and effects of future global warming. 

3. SAHEED ADEPOJU

 He is the inventor of the INYE-1&2, tablet computers designed for the African markett. 

Saheed is the co-founder of Encipher Limited, a Nigerian-based technology company that introduced the first android powered tablet into Nigeria. The INYE-1, which was unveiled in April 2010, is a 7-inch resistive screen tablet. It runs android 2.1 and allows users to connect to the internet using its inbuilt wifi card and to use an external 3G modem from GSM networks. It offers about 3 hours of battery life and allows HDMI output to HDMI capable devices. INYE-2, which was unveiled in May 2011, is an 8-inch capacitive screen tablet. It runs android 2.2 and allows users to connect to the internet using its inbuilt Wi-Fi card as well as its inbuilt SIM. It offers about 8 hours of battery life and allows users to connect to other USB devices.

 

4. COL. OVIEMO OVADJE (Rtd)

 Oviemo is a Nigerian medical doctor who is credited with the invention of Emergency Auto Transfusion System (EAT-SET), which is an effective, low cost and affordable blood auto-transfusion mechanism that saves patients in developing countries. He has patented the invention in 9 countries. 

Oviemo was born in Nigeria and hails from Delta State. He began working on the invention in 1989 with 120 dollars. In 1995, he was declared the best African scientist and founded EAT-SET industries, in April 2001. The United Nations Development programme (UNDP) and the government of Nigeria funded the EAT-SET project with the World Health Organization acting as the executing agency and providing assistance in the coordination of the projects.

 5. SEBASTINE CHINONYE OMEH

 He is the best known for his research in to the use of wind-propelled turbines to generate electricity.

 Sebastine is the Managing Director of Hybrid Micro Machine Products Limited. He is from Ogrute town in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area. Of Enugu State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. Challenged by the energy crisis in Nigeria, and the need to develop indigenous technology he conducted research into the use of wind-propelled turbines to generate electricity, thereby pioneering wind energy in Nigeria. 

The above are the some of the genius inventors and discoverers in Nigeria. If you know more indicate at the comment section below. 

Reference 

• Wikipedia.com
•  Nairaland.com
• Google.com

Sanafflatus

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The Prospect of a Female President in Nigeria

Khadijah Okunu-Lamidi a female presidenttial 

Image from Google

THE PROSPECT OF A FEMALE PRESIDENT IN NIGRERIA.

According to Mary Wollstonecraft a nation is defined as a union of men and women. The upsurge of the political equality of all sexes can be traced back to the French Revolution of 1789 when the Declaration of Right of Man and Citizen was declared on August 26, 1789. But unfortunately, women were disenfranchised and excluded from holding any political office. It took the effort of Olympe de Gourge and Mary Wollstonecraft to stand up and fight a good fight of faith for the right of women. Here in Nigeria, the giant of Africa, 2022 marks the 23rd year of democracy yet the story of political marginalization of women is prevalent. There is chronic political inequality at the poll. The men have upper hand than their female counterpart in politics. The Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) as cited in Daily Trust ranks Nigeria at 184 out of 187 countries in the global monthly ranking of women in national parliament. This ranking is true as it is being corroborated by the number of female senators and honourables we have presently in Nigeria. The total sum of the Nigerian National Assembly is 469 out of which 21 are women legislature members; eight female senators from the Red Chamber and thirteen female honourables from the Green Chamber. Also, this is applicable in the in the House of Assemblies across Nigeria. Cross Rivers has five female honourables out of 25; Enugu, Ekiti and Ogun have four; Ebonyi, Lagos and Bayelsa have three; Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Delta have three while in the northwest it is only Kaduna state that has one female honourable.

This is the 23rd year of practising democracy in Nigeria yet the prospect of a democratically elected female governor is slim not to talk of a female president. It seems practical but unattainable due to some intricate factors. Since the start of democracy in Nigeria, women have always taken the lead in any political activity such as rallies, campaigns, political meetings and voting. 

According to Zubaida Baba Ibrahim, in the 2019 general election, there was eighty-four million accredited voters of which forty million of them were females amounting to about half of the accredited voters 47.4%.  This shows the great number of women activeness in politics. The question now is why is the political marginalization of Nigerian women rising day by day?  According to UN Women, as cited in the Daily Trust, “women face several obstacles to participating in political life. Structural barriers through discriminatory laws and institutions still limit women’s options to run for office.”  This is right and applicable to the Nigerian women problem in politics. Although section 42 of The 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of  Nigeria frowns at discrimination but politically in reality, the reverse is the case. Of recent, there was a protest by women for the passing to law the Affirmative Action Bill by the National Assembly. The ideology of the Affirmation Action Bill is that women should have 35% slot for any political office in Nigeria. Whereas this is not the case with other African countries as they have implemented such law ago the likes of Rwanda, Namibia and South Africa had given 30% slot to their women. In Nigeria, we are still protesting and praying the legislature to pass it into law. Section 6 (5) of the PDP Constitution states that the party shall support the emancipation and participation of women by encouraging their representation at all levels while section 6 (7) is emphatic that: “In nomination for Party offices, not less than 35% shall be reserved for women.” This however, has not been the case (Daily Trust).

Image from Google

 More so, the cultural and religious factor is mountainous and demanding in limiting the political right of women in Nigeria.  In a remote Nigeria cultural and religious setting, women are excluded from decision making or suggesting decision. They are relegated to household chores and the kitchen. The political arena is only meant for the men. This is not supposed to be so. The world is changing. Our culture and religious perspective must be dynamic and accommodating to changes in the world. As Chimam Ngozi Adichie rightly said that we are in the century where what matter are the intellect, knowledge and capability of an individual and not physical strength. Had it been the world was not dynamic and receptive to changes, Amina Mohammed and Okonjo Iweala would not have been in the position they were today.  

Also, one of the important reasons for the prevalence of gender disparity in Nigeria politics is the non-charlant and lackadaisical attitude of some women in politics. They have accepted their fate that certain political offices like the president is not meant for them while the qualified ones among them see politics as a dirt game. This shouldn’t be so. Women should organise public enlightenment program that will educate and sensitise themselves about their political right. And more so, women should come out in their numbers to contest for any political office in Nigeria and they should sponsor one another for the actualization of their goal. 

The issue of female presidency is not an unprecedented event in the political history of man. It has happened in several parts of the world and it will still happen. According to Wikipedia, Vigidis Finnbogadottir of Iceland was the first woman elected president of a country who won presidential election as well as three later elections to become the longest-serving non-hereditary female head of state in history. She served for 16 years. Sirimavo Bandaronaike of Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) was the first woman to be democratically elected as Prime Minster of a country when she led her party to victory at the general election of 1960. Coming down to Africa our motherland, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first female president in Africa 2006-2018. Mariada Neves was elected the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe 2002-2004. Of recent, Najla Bouden became the first female Prime Minister both in Tunisia and Arab world. Sahle-Work Zewde is the current first female president of Ethiopia from 2018 till date. Also, Mrs. Samia Suluhu Hassan was elected as the first female president of Tanzania in 2019 till date. These women are not mediocre. They are making ground breaking achievements. If this happens in Nigeria, heaven will not fall. It is also attainable in Nigeria if certain things are put in place. 

Ellen Sirleaf Johnson first female President in Africa,(Liberia, 2006-2018). 
Image from Google

For the attainment and actualization of a female president and political equality of all sexes in Nigeria, the National Assembly should first and foremost pass the Affirmative Action Bill that allows 35% of slot for female in all elected offices into law.  Rwanda presently has the world’s strongest female participation in parliament out of 193 countries, boasting a 61.3 percent of seats in the country’s lower parliamentary chamber. This achievement is largely due to the country’s 2003 constitution which set a 30 percent quota for women in elected positions. From the countries constitutions, political parties had equally adopted a quota system for female candidates. Namibia seats comfortably on the 6th position while South Africa has earned the 10th position (Daily Trust). Nigeria should emulate these countries. Secondly, the Independent Electoral Commission should be empowered to ban any political party that does not adhere to the Affirmative Action Bill if passes to law. In addition, there should be continuous protest for the political equality of all sexes. The women should not be tired of this. Public enlightenment and orientation should be organised in all parts of Nigeria for the political equality of all genders.  Also, there should be reduction of price of nomination form for women. More women should contest for any political office in Nigeria even the presidential seat is not exempted.      

Conclusively, the politics of today does not value physical strength. What matter are the intellect, knowledge and capacity of an individual. Female presidency in Nigeria may seem impossible but there is much hope for its actualization in Nigeria.  

 

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If I Were The President Of Nigeria

 

Nigeria Presidential Flag

Image from Google

IF I WERE THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA.

E get one dream wey

Dey worry me I don 

Dream am tire,

If I sleep small Na di

Dream go come if I

Close my eye small Na di

Dream go come if I 

Siddon for chair say

Make I rest small Na

Di dream go come I

Think say na malaria

Dey come, ...

Culled from ‘I wan bi President’ by Ezenwa-Ohaeto.

Here comes the much awaited 2023 Presidential Election. Presidential aspirants are adding up day by day. The media houses are flooded with arresting captions; "Mr. A declares his interest in running for the presidential seat"; "Mrs. B declares her intention to run for the presidential election". Power is good and flashy. Nigeria is deadly in need of a pristine, innovative, dynamic, astute and constructive leader. Despite being blessed with both human and money-making resources, Nigeria still wallows in abject poverty and acute suffering.  The cause of these entire predicaments is attributed to poor leadership. Nigeria is in dare need of a good leader. 

I have always been brooding over these questions; ‘what if I were the president of Nigeria, what would I do? What would I do differently to achieve a better Nigeria? Or would I follow the dictates of the former leaders that led Nigeria astray?’ Here are my prudent answers to these questions. If I were the president of Nigeria, my first primary and preponderant assignment would be the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria  as stipulated in section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is an open secret that the most mountainous and insurmountable problem of Nigeria is insecurity. Every nooks and crannies of Nigeria are hot bed of insurgency and banditry. There is an alarming rate of loss of lives and property and there seems to be no way out. Our security agencies seem useless and incapable of controlling the situation. The issue of insecurity in Nigeria has driven away potential and prospective foreign and local investors from Nigeria. No investor will ever establish firm where there is incessant insecurity. This is affecting our economy and the peaceful existence of the people of Nigeria. Even our local investors and tycoons have been migrating to other places in the world. This is pathetic and unpalatable. Something decisive must be done drastically. The citizens of Nigeria are sleeping with ‘one eye closes, one eye opens’. What I would do to bring about a drastic solution to insecurity in Nigeria is the establishment of state police with some modifications. I am a staunch proponent of state police as the panacea to this insecurity issue. If each state is empowered to have its own police, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria would be a thing of the past. There is too much concentration of power in the hands of the federal government. If a state wants to sneeze in Nigeria, it must get the approval of the federal government. The security of the good citizens of Nigeria is sacrosanct. Not to be played with. If you asked me, how would this be possible? I would refer you to U.S. security system and learn from it. Nigeria should learn from the fig tree. Also if you told me that U.S. and Nigeria were not the same. I would reply you that there is nothing wrong in borrowing a foreign idea with some modifications to suit your condition. 

Secondly, my government would focus on the revitalization of the epileptic condition of Nigeria economy. For the sustainability and boost in Nigeria economy, the following would be embarked upon:

• Government abstinence from economy only with the power of supervision and stipulating rules and regulations
• Increment in export goods
• Good transportation linking all parts of Nigeria
• High tariff on import goods 
• Development of local crafts and industries through loan and free trading

 I believe if all these are implemented, our economy would improve. 

Thirdly, I would carry out some drastic and decisive reforms for the betterment of the citizens of Nigeria. The Nigeria education system is nothing to write home about. The system is poor and archaic. It only base on reading textbooks without giving room for students’ innovation and utilization of their talents. I believe in pragmatism.  In education, the following reforms would be carried out;  

• Introduction of free and compulsory primary school education
• Introduction of vocational trainings to all secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria
• Implementation of work and earn scheme while studying for all Nigeria students. 
•  Provision of ultramodern teaching equipment and facilities 
• Upgrading the education system in accordance with 21th century.
• Periodical assessment and training of all teachers and lecturers
• Increment of workforce in the Nigeria education system. 

No nation in the world has ever attained prominence without standard education. During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century of the developed nations the likes of United Kingdom, Russia, U.S.A. etc education was held in high esteem even up till now. 

Health is wealth. In a bid for the betterment of the welfare of the citizens of Nigeria, I would implement the following reforms:

• Revamping of  all hospitals
• Periodical assessment and recruitment of more qualified health workers
• Increment in salary and hazard allowances
• Increment of grants of the health sector
• Provision of ultra modern health facilities and equipment. 
• Free health care for the children, students, the less privileged and the senior citizens 
• Modernization of the Nigeria health sector

More so, there would be favourable reforms in the industrial sector and the civil and public services, such as:

• Provision of substantial loan to the local industries
• Provision of favourable and conducive environment for all industrial and government workers.
• Payment of salary and wages as at when due.
• Increment in hazard allowances
• Provision of free health insurance scheme for all industrial and government workers.

Lastly, there would be general reforms which would include:

• Reduction of government expenditures
• Reduction of salary of all public office holders
• Industrial revolution of the Nigeria agricultural sector
• Increment in man power of the Nigeria armed forces 
• Provision of substantial loan to local industries and farmers
• Provision of allowances to the less privileged and senior citizens
• Establishment of a self-reliance programme for the Nigeria youth. 

So help me God. 

OLAWUNI SAMUEL IDOWU (SANAFFLATUS)

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2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria.

 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A RACE FOR POWER AND INFLUENCE IN THE NIGERIA’S POLITICS.

The lion stakes his claim

To the leadership 

of the pack

But the antelopes remember the ferocious pounce of his paws

The hyena says the crown is made for him

But the Impalas

Shudder at his appetite... 

From ‘The Leader And The Led’ by Niyi Osundare.

 The Nigerian politicians are now engulfed in the preparation for the much awaited 2023 Presidential Election. Who will be the next occupant of Aso Rock, the seat of power? Who will be the next GCFR of the giant of Africa? Many well known and unknown Nigerians have declared interest. Everybody wants to be in position of power and authority. I want to be too. They have the right to do so, once they have the criteria of section 131 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

A good number of those that have declared interest are renowned and astute politicians. They had held or still holding one public office or the other .The likes of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban), he was once a senator from 1992-1993 and also a former governor of Lagos (1999-2007). Anyim Pius served as the Senate president of Nigeria (200-2003). Yahaya Bello and Nyesom Wike are both incumbent governors of Kogi and Rivers States respectively. Orji Uzor  Kalu is the current Chief Whip for the Red Chamber et cetera.  This set of aspirants is rich, influential, astute and experienced in the art of Nigerian politics. While many of the other aspirants are successful tycoons and media owners and personalities. They are vibrant, pristine, youthful and optimistic. But this people are naive in the art of Nigeria’s politics unlike the former who are much experienced and influential. By the way, everyone can contest once you are qualified according to the law.

 These aspirants are recruiting people to canvass for them whenever the electioneering commences. In the Nigeria politics of today where money has taken away the credibility and fairness of every election, I'm dead sure billions of naira will be spent by the stinking rich aspirants while millions will be spent by the less rich aspirants. Apart from money being spent, violence and thuggery will be employed. And the so-called lazy youths will be in handy for this. This is Nigeria politics. Since the independence (1960) till date violence, thuggery, arson, vote buying and electoral malpractices have been part and parcel of every election in Nigeria.

 

Image from Google.

The didactic message of this writing is deduced from the popular quote of Pope Alexander that says, ‘Politics is the madness of the many for the gain of the few’. These political aspirants are coming to employ the madness, fanaticism and rascality of the poor and despondent masses for their gain. Their motto will be ‘believe, obey and fight for our gain’. Some will be employed as canvassers, thugs, ballot-snatchers or propagandists just for a penny. Some vulnerable and gullible people will buy their idea, work for them madly and at the end of the day being paid a penny. And mind you, such people will be disposed of and despised at after the election. “For a loaf of bread a man shall be deceived” says the Holy Book.

 I’m not preaching political apathy. I’m not a fan of such idea. What I’m saying in essence is that every citizen of Nigeria should be prudent in working for these politicians. What they are after is their interest - to get to the position of power. Nothing more. The coming 2023 election will be free and fair and peaceful if every citizen of Nigeria understands that the madness, rascality, and fanaticism of the many are for the benefit of the few. Let us work towards a free and fair and peaceful election. Long live Nigeria!  

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RUSSIA NATIONAL INTEREST IN THE RUSSIA -UKRAINE CRISIS

 

RUSSIA AND ITS NATIONAL INTEREST IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS. 

If states go to war it is because they strive for power, are self-interested, and pay particular importance to their security. In this context, Russia embarked on military action against Ukraine because it pays particular importance to its security. Russia does not strive for power. It is a superpower already. A force to reckon with in terms of military, economic, diplomatic, and political strength and might. Is Russia self-interested? If yes, its national interest makes it so. 

This article aims at expatiating the Russian cognizant and paramount interest in the ongoing Russian-Ukraine crisis. National interest means a country’s goals and ambitions whether economic, military, or cultural. Also, national interest is made of goals and ambitions states seek to pursue, achieve and protect in the course of their interaction in the international system. Chandra, cited in Ake (1982) has defined what constitutes national interest to include: national security, political independence, territorial integrity, promotion of economic well-being, and world peace. 

So, the question that pops up is, what is the Russian national interest that it seeks to strive for, achieve and protect? Russia is just like any other superpower that will employ whatever means to achieve and protect its national interests. The cognizant and paramount interest of the Russian government in the ongoing crisis is security. All other interest such as the secession of the Donbas region from Ukraine and protecting its influence over Ukraine is paraphernalia. They are not vital interests for a superpower like Russia. If Russia wants to annex Ukraine, it would have done eight years ago during the Euromaidan crisis of 2013. Russia used that incident to annex and achieve the independence of Crimea in 2014. Russian vital interest is security. All actors in the international system know that the gain of security of a state is the loss of it for another. If Ukraine achieves NATO’s security, it would be at the expense of Russia.

Image from Google

The issue of Russian security started during the Cold War Era (1945-1991). During that time, the Western Powers allied and formed a defense pact known as North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, in April 1949. All countries under this aegis are protected and securely guarded. All members pledged to go to war if any other member was attacked. The founding members were twelve and they included: the U.S.A., Britain, France, Canada, Belgium, Norway, Portugal, Italy, Luxembourg, Iceland, Denmark, and Netherland. Recent, members of NATO are thirty (30) with three (3) aspiring members. On the other hand, the USSR formed a reactionary and counter military alliance known as the Warsaw Pact on May 14, 1955. Members that signed the alliance treaty were: Romania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, East Germany, Albania, and Bulgaria. This was a counter-military alliance against the west. Unfortunately, this alliance was dissolved at the onset of the collapse of the USSR (December 25, 1991)on July 1, 1991. Since then, some of the member-states of the defunct  USSR have joined NATO, and more still want to join, the likes of Ukraine.  

Hence, how will Ukrainian membership in NATO affect Russian security? This is the question that pundits and international observers are suggesting answers to. According to Amit Sengupta, “Ukraine is a matter of strategic importance to Russia". That is, the geographical proximity of Ukraine to Russia is cogent in Russian security. They are close to each other. The gain of security of Ukraine is tantamount to the loss of it by Russia. Peradventure if Ukraine joins NATO, the security and territorial integrity of Russia will be at stake. NATO would store nuclear weapons and other surveillance gadgets in Ukraine at the expense of Russia's security. Russia does not want this to happen. And several warnings have been sent to NATO to desist from Ukraine. The Russian government does not want any threat from NATO near its border. The Iraq war (2003-2011) will explain this better. During the Iraq war, NATO’s Air Command headquarters was stationed at Izmir, Turkey from 2004 to 2013. Some U.S. B61 nuclear weapons of about 150 were stored there. This was done to serve as a military threat to Iraq and mind you, Turkey is also of strategic importance to the security of Iraq due to its geographical nearness to it.  “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” so says Winston Churchill. The realistic and pragmatic Russian president, Vladimir Putin, knows that if Ukraine joins NATO the same thing will happen. NATO will store nuclear weapons in Ukraine at the expense of its neighbor, Russia. 

In addition, if Ukraine joins NATO, the latter will station its Air Command headquarters in the former territory. And do you know what, according to Amit Sengupta, it will take only thirty-five (35) minutes for NATO to launch Tomahawk Rockets from Ukraine to Russia and just five (5) minutes to launch Hypersonic Missiles in case of any war with Russia? Russia is cognizant of its security.  

In conclusion, the behavior of actors in the international system is rooted in the pursuit, protection, and promotion of its interest. The Russian security interest is paramount and preponderant to it regardless of any sentimental or prejudiced view of its action. The gain of security of a state is the loss of it for another. Don’t forget that"in the international system there is no room for sentiment and morality”. Prof. Ukaogo.         

 

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THE REALISTS APPROACH TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS

RUSSSIAN REALIST APPROACH TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS. 

The action taken by Russia in the on-going Russia-Ukraine war exemplifies the realists’ approach in understanding the international system. Hence this paper aims to examine the on-going war in the light of the Realists’ approach of the international system. 

The realists’ approach became prominent after the Second World War (1939-1945). The proponents of the realists approach are but not limited to: Thucydides, Niccolo Machiavelli, Kenneth Waltz, Cardinal Richelieu, Thomas Hobbes, and Hans Morgenthau. In the thinking of the realists the international system is defined by anarchy. This is because there is no central authority to settle disputes among contending actors as it is in domestic political systems. Thus, in such anarchical situation, state power is the key. There is the belief that it is only through power that states can defend themselves and hope to survive. The realists believe in the preponderant use of power to strive for, achieve and protect their national interests in the anarchical world politics. 

Realism believes power can be in variety of ways: militarily, economically and diplomatically. It also emphasises the possession of the coercive capacity as the ultimate determinant of international politics. The world view of the Realists rests on the assumption that, first; survival is the principal goal of every state actor. And given the anarchy of the international system, states require to, constantly, ensure that they have sufficient power to defend themselves and advance their interest that is required for survival. Second, Realists take states to be rational actors. This means that, given the goal of survival, states will act as best they can in order to maximise their likelihood of continuing to exist. Third, Realists believe that all states possess military capacity, and no state knows what its neighbours intend precisely. This presupposes that the world is dangerous and uncertain. Fourth, in such a world only countries with greater powers that can prevail. Thus, the international system is a system of power exercise.

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According to Niccolo Machiavelli, the renowned Italian writer, “The end justifies the means”. This means that wrong or unfair methods may be used if the overall goal is good. In the crisis, Russia has embarked on an unfair method (military action/ war) to achieve its national interests. With this, we can deduce that Russia is taking the realists approach to achieve its aims. Also, Thomas Hobbes in his book Leviathan, said “The state of nature is prone to war of all against all."This means that the world is dominated by the strong against the weak. Since the emergence of the international system in the 17th century during the Westphalia Treaty, there has always been the prevalence and dominance of the super powers at the expense of the weak powers. According to a pundit definition, “a super power is a state with a dominant position in the international system which has the ability to influence events and its own interests and project its power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests”. Russia is a super power. It has the wherewithal in terms of economic, military, diplomatic and political strength and might to influence events in the international system and protect its national interests. National interest is made of goals and ambitions states seek to pursue achieve and protect in the course of their interaction in the international system. 

 Russia military might is second to the U.S.A. Her economy is one of the largest and most stable in the world. Russia is blessed with abundant money-making natural resources. It has considerable population. Russia is indeed a super power. In the view of the realist, the international system is anarchical and it is by power that a state can survive and the strong will always dominate. Therefore, there is no big deal in Russia protecting its national interests with whatever means since it is a super power. “Let the strong do what they can do and the weak suffer what they must suffer”, so say Thucydides. 

More so, the realists believe in realpolitik. Realpolitik is the notion that politics must be conducted in terms of realistic and practical assessment of power and the self interest of individual nation-state by any means. Russia is exercising realpolitik against Ukraine. Russia as a super power, in the view of the realists, must show Ukraine, the weak power, how mighty it is and do as other super powers have been doing the likes of U.S.A. and United Kingdom in achieving and protecting their national interests.  

In addition,Amazon ad Benito Mussolini said, “Only war carries human energies to the highest level and puts the seal of nobility upon people who have the courage to undertake it.” Therefore, for Russia to enhance its might and influence and to protect its national system, war is the only war out, in the view of the realists’ approach to the international system. 

In summation, according to Prof Ukaogo of the Department of History and International Studies, UNN, “There is no sentiment and morality in the international system”.  And since there is no central authority in the international system, the strong can do what they want and the weak must suffer what they must suffer. If states go to war, it is because they strive for power, are self-interested, and pay, particular importance to their security.  Russia is exercising realpolitik in the ongoing crisis to achieve its national interests. 

                      Reference

National Open University of Nigeria .2015. “Evolution of Modern International System” Lagos. The National Open University of Nigeria.

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