Diplomatic Digest Magazine has reaffirmed its role as a platform for high-level policy dialogue as Senator Henry Seriake Dickson called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and African leaders to safeguard democratic institutions and strengthen the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The call was made in Abuja at the magazine’s 6th Anniversary Lecture, Dinner and Awards, organised in collaboration with the Diplomatic Correspondents Chapel, where Dickson was honoured with the Pillar of Nigeria Democracy Award.
“Democracy is not a sprint; it is a marathon… there are no shortcuts on that path,” Dickson said, stressing that respect for the Constitution, rule of law, judicial independence, press freedom and credible electoral systems are essential for democratic survival.
He warned against the erosion of democratic institutions and expressed concern over the resurgence of military coups and constitutional disruptions across West Africa, urging sustained diplomatic engagement to rebuild cohesion within ECOWAS.
Looking ahead to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the senator called for the protection of the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and security agencies to ensure credible outcomes.
The anniversary lecture, themed “Chinese Diplomatic Tools and the Redefinition of the Global Governance System,” featured Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), who emphasised the need for Nigeria to adopt a strategic and mutually beneficial approach to its relationship with China.
According to him, stronger China–Nigeria ties could accelerate industrialisation, infrastructure development, technology transfer and human capital growth, provided engagements are anchored on shared prosperity and long-term development goals.
Also speaking, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, highlighted diplomacy as a key driver of foreign investment, trade expansion and national security, calling for deeper collaboration across government, private sector, academia and the media.
In his welcome address, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Digest Magazine, Kennedy Peretei, appreciated the leadership of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and commended the diplomatic community for its sustained support over the past six years.
Peretei reaffirmed the magazine’s commitment to maintaining high editorial standards and fostering informed conversations on diplomacy, governance and international relations.
The event attracted senior government officials, diplomats, policymakers, academics, traditional rulers and media professionals, underscoring Diplomatic Digest’s growing influence as a convener of strategic dialogue on Nigeria’s foreign policy and democratic development.
