By Zik Gbemre

On the subject matter, agreed that Nigeria and other African countries are not shit holes, but you would also agree that the action of Nigerian/African leaders and some ignorant elites, makes Nigeria and other African countries a laughing stock. Do you think those sweet coated speeches of some WESTERN leaders on Africa are genuine? They are deceptively drafted to mock the people because majority of Nigerians/African elites and politicians are ignorant.

It is the responsibility of Nigerians to fix Nigeria and not these foreigners. The United States (US)/Europe/Asia and their leaders will not fix Nigeria for us. They know that if they do; Nigerians will no longer send their children to these foreign schools. Nigerians will no longer buy/patronize their cars, weapons, mobile devices, goods, etc. Nigerians will no longer patronize their hospitals as well. Nigerians will no longer be proud of dual citizenship – all of which have been improving the economies of these Western and Asian nations.

It is the gross and irresponsible attitudes of Nigerian/African leaders that have made US President Trump, and Russian President Putin, and other world leaders, to continually mock and criticize us. When former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, mocked Nigeria as being “fantastically corrupt,” they shouted at him for daring to say such. But is it not true? Are African nations, which include Nigeria, not fantastically corrupt? Which is why we have remained ‘developing nations’ and ‘third world countries’ for ages, despite all the enormous wealth, riches and resources abundantly here in the country and in the continent. Even Nigeria has overtaken India as the world’s poverty nation across the globe. Yes, agreed that these Western/Asian nations are still practicing neocolonialism and control of African countries’ economies, but it is our African political leaders who, because of their insatiable greed/selfish interests/quick gratification, that have allowed it so over the decades.

In other words, it is the Blacks that have labelled themselves to be called all sorts of names by these foreigners. We should learn how to resolve our African problems ourselves, and stop blaming others for it.

I recently told a friend by name, Efe Itoje, who is based in the UK, via online chat that: “You have been in the UK for years since your childhood. I am told your son is doing well and he’s being paid good too for using his God given talented skills. But can that easily happen in Africa? Is Nigeria not a shit hole? Is Nigeria not a terrorist country? Has the Nigerian government stopped the killings of innocent Christians in Southern Kaduna? Is Nigeria not known for terrorist activities by the likes of Boko-Haram, Fulani herdsmen, IPOB, and criminal activities like unexplained killings, kidnapping for ransom, militancy in the Niger-Delta, lawlessness, burning of police stations, killing and mobbing of police officers, armed robberies, and all sorts of violent crimes?”

Can’t we tell ourselves the truth? Are Nigerian leaders in particular not known for appointing their tribes’ people in key sensitive positions in Government without looking at the uprightness and merit of such individuals? So, what is the fuss if Trump, Putin, David Cameron and other world leaders should mock Nigerians and Africans? Are they not saying the bitter truth? Even those foreign world leaders who talk sweet to please Nigerians and Africans, are merely doing so to deceive them. They know this fact. Until we get our acts together and develop as we should as a country and as a continent, they would continue to mock us.

I still remember that in the 60s, 70s and mid 80s, Nigerians who studied in Western countries such as the United Kingdom, United States (US), and Germany, did return to Nigerian on the completion of their studies. In the then Midwest/Bendel, people like D.D. Mowoe, Mudiaga-Odje, Ovie-Whiskey, Ayo Irikefe, P.E. S. Ideh, Adogbeji Ideh, Udoro Uwedjojevwe, Pela, Fred Brume, P.O.K Munu, S. W. Gbemre, Mosheshe, Imishue, Akpojaro, P.O.P. Esi and many Others who studied in the UK, US, Germany; all returned back home to Nigeria after their studies because Nigeria was doing quite well then. But as the years progressed, and Nigeria started doing very badly in terms of development, economy, basic infrastructure; majority of Nigerians who now travel abroad for studies, do not return back home because there are no jobs and opportunities here. And how has that been the problem of the foreign leaders like Donald Trump, Putin and David Cameron?

The Nigerian government at all levels and top politicians have not committed themselves towards addressing all the harsh insecurity and economic crises in the country. No one placed guns on their heads to join politics as public officers. So, there should not be any excuse for not performing in the first place. Biden and Trump are not the problem of Nigeria and the entire Africa. Nigeria problem is caused by Nigerian political leaders and elites, and the ordinary man who has refused to ask for accountability from them. Now, can someone tell me that a former top UK, US, France, German politician/elite will apply for citizenship of Nigeria and other African countries in this 21st century? Yet, our former Nigerian top government officials, such as former ministers, permanent secretaries, government parastatals chairmen/directors, NNPC top officials/directors, who after completion of their retirement or tenure in office, often go and apply for citizenship in these foreign countries – making them become dual citizens. How will the foreign leaders not mock Nigeria and other African countries? Nigerians, especially those with dual citizenship, are more interested in the elections of UK/US more than the British and Americans themselves. So, Nigeria is being mocked because of the attitudes of its leaders, politicians and elites, which has given the country and other Africans all sorts of name.

Zik Gbemre.

*We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes*