Scientist urges African leaders to learn from Russo-Ukraine war

Dr Jonathan Obaje, a Nigerian research scientist based in Singapore, has urged African leaders to draw lessons from the raging conflict between Russia and Ukraine to guard against wars and the attendant socio-economic consequences.

Obaje, a former Vice President of Nigerians in Diaspora, Singapore chapter, gave the advice on Thursday in a telephone interview.

He reiterated the need for African leaders to learn from the current global realities, saying Africa allowed itself to be the victim of economic exploitation for too long.

Obaje said, "African best brains, natural resources, and labour forces currently form the backbones of most global economies, but the African continent lies in ruins.

"Therefore, the African child everywhere remains an object for discrimination.

"Even now in the Ukraine crisis, the African children's safety does matter to either the Ukrainians or the neighboring countries.

"African leaders cannot afford to take sides in this crisis without articulating their own interests based on their historical experiences.

"Africa cannot forget its own political and economic liberation struggles, and the many sponsored assassinations, military coups, and sponsored civil unrest by external aggressors on the continent.

"African leaders must use the current Russian-Ukraine crisis not only to self-reflect but to also put United Nations and the global community on notice as te relates to the looting of treasuries of Africa and the numerous mercenaries activities by different groups in the continent."

He urged the Federal Government to immediately arrange for the evacuation of all Nigerian citizens stranded in Ukraine but willing to leave, saying "No Nigerian citizen must be allowed to suffer unnecessary consequences of this crisis in Ukraine.

"The ongoing Russian-Ukraine crisis is unfortunate in many aspects. This crisis could have been prevented. Ukraine was never going to qualify to join NATO from both historical and geographical realities anyway.

"This war is, therefore, an unnecessary pain which will not change the reality when all is done.

"The global economy and psyche cannot afford another stress after 2-years of the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic. Nobody will win this war in the end.

"Russia, Ukraine, and NATO partners will all suffer losses, in different forms, at the end.

"The West cannot assume that this crisis will benefit its reputations and perceptions by the rest of the world.

"The global mutual trust and cooperation which has formed the bedrock of global peace, stability, and economic growth since World War II is now being eroded.

`This will not benefit any nation," he added.