Words Will Not Stop the Traumatic Cries of Palestinian Children -By Abdullahi Abubakar Ladan

Nigeria’s presence at the recent Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, following our principled stance at the UN General Assembly, is a powerful moment for our nation. We stood tall with 141 nations to support the “New York Declaration,” a move for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We later joined our Muslim and Arab brothers in condemning the recent Israeli aggression, but these diplomatic victories must not overshadow the critical issues we face right here at home. Our international advocacy for peace is only as strong as the security and good governance we practice within our own borders.

The summit’s condemnation of Israel’s military operations was a welcome show of unity, but honestly, the lack of concrete, unified action beyond just words leaves much to be desired. This isn’t the first time a summit has ended with a strong statement but no real change on the ground. The cries of Palestinian children won’t be silenced by a piece of paper or a strongly worded press release. In the same breath, the victims of violence in Zamfara, Borno, or Imo won’t find comfort in a foreign policy that ignores their own suffering. Our ongoing struggles with bandits in the Northwest, the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast, and the unrest caused by IPOB and other sects in the Southeast all demand our urgent and sustained attention. While the federal government is making moves, their efforts will only truly work if they are complemented by the active participation and strategic planning of our state governments.

Nigeria’s vote at the UN and our attendance at the Doha summit were powerful statements of our values. Now, President Tinubu must build on that momentum with a clear, strategic plan that connects our domestic security to our international standing. For starters, we must use our influence in the African Union (AU) to rally support for a single, powerful African position on the conflict. We should push for a unified AU statement that doesn’t just condemn the violence but also outlines specific sanctions or diplomatic measures to be taken if a two-state solution isn’t pursued.

Furthermore, the crisis in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe. Nigeria should work with international partners to establish and secure humanitarian corridors, making sure aid gets to those who need it most. We can also show solidarity in a real way by sending medical aid and supplies. At the same time, we must continue to push for accountability at international forums like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Our government should use its diplomatic muscle to support investigations into all alleged war crimes, ensuring justice isn’t selective.

Our nation’s diplomatic moves on the world stage are commendable, but they are only one half of the equation. We must strike a necessary balance: using our voice to champion a just cause abroad while tirelessly working to ensure that peace and security become a reality for every single Nigerian. The world is watching, and our leadership, both at home and abroad, will be measured by our actions, not just our words.

In the words of the late General Muammar Gaddafi, who once offered his own controversial vision for the region: “I am convinced that the solution is to establish a democratic state for the Jews and the Palestinians, a state that will be called Palestine, Isratine, or whatever they want. This is the fundamental solution, or else the Jews will be annihilated in the future, because the Palestinians have [strategic] depth.” His unconventional and often volatile ideas on the conflict remind us that even those with the most radical views recognize the need for a final, lasting solution to the tragedy. It is a lesson Nigeria must take to heart, ensuring that the same principles of humanity and justice we advocate for in the Middle East also guide our steps toward a more secure and united Nigeria.

Abdullahi Abubakar Ladan
Good Governance Advocate