The former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, says Nigeria may be caught in the crossfire of allegiances between the United States and China during the drive for a New World Order.



The former minister, expressed this while delivering a lecture, at the 41st Annual District Conference of Rotary International, District 9110, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The conference tagged “Imaginative DIsCon 2023”, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and had in attendance, Rotarians from Lagos and Ogun states, with no fewer than 5,000 members.

Akinyemi, in the lecture entitled, “New World Order and Rotary”, noted that equity and justness, do not mean an equal world in life, most especially in global affairs, characterized by power syndrome.

Akinyemi said the old World Order is dominated by the five Super Powers and is about who can veto any policy of the United Nations, that is not in their interest

He stressed the need for a new World Order that would be characterized by equity.

He added that one of the parameters of the New World Order is that there is going to be a restructuring of the old order.


He, however, charged members of Rotary International to work towards the evolvement of a more equitable and just world for the sake of humanity.

He said, “Right now, we are in a period of transition where there is a descending global power which is the United States, and an ascending global power, which is China.

“During this period, we will have a period of instability as the United States fights for its corner, China/Russia fighting for its corner, and the regional powers fighting for their corners.

“It is not only Rotary that will be caught in the crossfire of allegiances, several NGOs and small regional powers will also be under pressure for alliances. The drive for a New World Order involves a struggle at the table where decisions are taken.

“The conclusion that Rotary should be able to identify with is that we need a more equitable, and a more just world.

“Equity and just do not mean an equal world in life. There is a world of difference between the ability to dominate and inflict unacceptable injury on others and the ability to protect oneself from having unacceptable damages inflicted on it by others. The latter is what every country should pursue.”

In her remarks, the Rotary District 9110 Governor, Mrs. Omotunde Lawson, said the Rotary year was a game-changing year, characterized by strategic partnerships of invaluable impact on Rotary and the communities they served.

Lawson, who is the first female Governor of the district, which brought about the “Koseleri” slogan, disclosed some of the activities of the district under her leadership.

She said, “Rotary, has embarked on a medical and surgical mission in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in Americas (ANPA) and Ace Medicare, Ota, with 5,000 beneficiaries at the end of the exercise.

“It is a conference for celebrating a record of incredible achievement of goals beyond our expectations, and to appreciate those who have been part of the amazing journey and instrumental to the record-breaking feat achieved so far.”

The Chairman of the South West Governors and Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, commended Rotary for its various humanitarian services.

Akeredolu, who was represented by his Commissioner for Energy, Mr Rasak Obe, said the efforts of the Rotary in the fight against Polio cannot be underrated worldwide.