I want to conclude this critical reasons why President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua must as a matter of urgency resign from a broader perspective of our non-existent foreign diplomacy policy. I read an interview President Barack Obama granted ALLAFRICA.COM's Charles Cobb,Jr.,Reed Kramer and Tami Hultman on his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa. I was reading the second answer before the last question and it was clear that neither Obama nor the journalists had mentioned Nigeria. I noticed that they systematically avoided it. I was infuriated. I said to myself that if only Obama knew that he had more supporters from Nigeria towards his campaign than his fatherland Kenya which he made mention of in his second answer. If only he knew that Nigerians who are wont to crying more than bereaved in the delirium of his campaign raised millions to send across the pacific towards the success of his election only for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to dismiss the fund raising as fraud and returned the monies back to the contributors. Is he not aware of many pre- and post-election Obama conferences which were organised by many sympathetic groups in Nigeria?.
I almost flung the paper away but late continued just hear all he had to say on why he chose Ghana instead of other sub-Sahara African countries. Being the charismatic gentleman he is,he mentioned Lagos in the last answer of that Interview. (I imagined him in the their Americana style musing “ don't get angry dude I even know Eko! not just Nigeria. Blame your leaders for the US ignoring you guys,I still recognised that you ain't gonna talk about my papa's continent without talking about Nigeria”). Then I smiled at his wisdom. He tried to let us know that he knew us well and that the story of Africa cannot be complete without the mention of Nigeria.
Forget the Muammer Gadhafis who are only interested in condoning impunity and wishing to become the President of a United States of Africa in his dreams. He has refused to relinquish power in Libya with a track record of aligning with countries former President Bush will refer to as the 'Axis of Evil'. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa and one of the most important country in Africa with a potential of assuming full leadership of Africa just like the US. Right now our only significance lies in the fact that we are the highest contributor of peace keepers for United Nations.
We are ranked among 42nd among 133 countries in market size according to Geneva-based World Economic Forum with potential to consume more if the economy improves. So even if politicians ignore us, investors seeking to make quick profits will not only on daily basis sort to come here,they earnestly pray for our stability and good governance to take over. We have the best crude oil in the world with little percentage of sulphur. Need I remind anyone that we among the top 10 in worldwide crude oil export and production.
Although late Chief Gani had to caution former President Obasanjo for his incessant foreign trips to canvass foreign investments while the country was in shambles. He did that to remind Baba that we needed to consolidate more on the home front before selling Nigeria to the world. Nigeria will never be a hard sell if the indexes are right. This is what many like this writer have been trying to let the Minister of Information,the 'Re-branding apostle' to recognize. All the energy and resources put in rebranding will be better channelled if she concentrated on educating Nigerians about governance and participation in same so that we could evolve a better society. The world needs us and Africa needs us more. Late Chief Gani did not mean that international diplomacy is not important neither did he underscore the importance of Nigeria in African and World politics. The Minister of Information in a press release stated that the election of Nigeria to the non-permanent seat of the United Nations is an endorsement by the international community that the 7-point Agenda is working. Then I ask,are we the only one chosen to seat along with US,Britain,China,France and Russia,the permanent members, as non-permanent members of the security council? There are about eight countries selected alongside Nigeria and our vote cannot even stop a key decision such as the veto power of the five permanent member. Moreover we have been seeking election to that seat long before now and the tenure is only for two (2) years.
Africa deserves a permanent seat at the United Nation if we must belong to this world to take charge of the destiny of the black man just as the blacks in America now feel equal to the white with emergence of Obama as president in the US. The world is waiting for Nigeria to come and occupy that exalted position because Africa deserves to belong to the Comity of nations as a key player. Asia and the Americas have one representative each,Europe dominates with France,UK and Eastern Europe represented by Russia,then where is Africa? Do we not make up a continent or probably the population and contribution of Africa does not warrant her a permanent seat among other continents? The centuries of colonialism is long over. Nigeria is in the best position to jostle and secure that seat for Africa. What will wake us from our "sleep walking" is the offer of this exalted permanent seat to Ghana because according to Obama they have become a model in Africa and also for the West to enjoy that delicious “crude oil soup” or to South Africa because of the country's stability and prosperity.
Sani Abacha was ostracised by the comity of nations,Yar'Adua has reversed the trend by ostracising the comity of nation. It was widely speculated the the President will not attend the UN Assembly held this year and he confirmed the fears of speculators by actually jetting out to Saudi Arabia instead of attending a meeting of about 150 world leaders. He went to attend to unfinished business such as the commissioning of a $7bn university while his country's universities were shut down due to lecturers strike. Yar'Adua chose to visit Saudi Arabia while world leaders gathered in New York to discuss world affairs ranging from Middle East Peace to Terrorism and Global Poverty. African leaders met with the President of the United States, Barack Obama, to discuss issues of concern to Africa and the US. In this era when the government blames its failure on recession,there was an opportunity for trade discussion with the US. Just as the present government is a monumental failure at the home front,it has scored below average on a scale of hundred when it comes to international politics and diplomacy.
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