By Zik Gbemre

Without a doubt, United States of America (USA) President, Mr. Donald Trump, remains the most controversial, most talked about in the media, and even the most hated, especially amongst developing nations. Some of my critics have wondered why I, Zik Gbemre should like this most controversial and hated US President of all time. Well, the answer is simple. The reason I have a soft spot for Trump, is not because his policies and practices as US President has been favorable to the black Africans, but it is simply because, in my own candid view, Donald Trump remains the most ‘Patriotic and courageous’ President of a country that we have now around the globe. Right from the moment he took over Office as US President, Trump has consistently and persistently stood by his decision and mantra to “Make America Great Again,” regardless of what anyone thinks about that.

Never have I seen a political leader facing so much opposition from all angles, including an impeachment process, yet he is able to go against all odds, against the norm and still able to keep his head up high, regardless of what any person thinks – like I have seen demonstrated by US President Donald Trump. From having to deal with an anti-Trump US media, with the CNN at the front, that does not hide its opposing disposition to practically everything the US President does; to having to deal with a heated political atmosphere that is divided on racial lines, political views, religious extremism, global economic policies and what have you. Yet, since he assumed the Office of the White House as US President, Trump has been able to achieve tremendous success in global trade deals which have improved the economy of his country, as he has subdued the Asian power blocks like China. He has broken global diplomatic lines and protocols that have never been recorded in US history dealings with their perceived rivalries. He has turned existing situations in the US immigration laws to punch a hole on the possibility of the growth of terrorism. Even in the midst of the barrage of criticisms from the opposing Democrats and the US Media, he has been able to always put them in their place, and still take steps towards reconciling the growing division and differences within and amongst the American people.

In my own opinion, US President Trump has done more than what 5 past U.S. Presidents have done put together. Some of the things he has done include: Almost 4 million jobs created since election; More Americans are now employed than ever recorded before in the U.S. history; Have created more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs since his election and 95 percent of U.S. manufacturers are optimistic about the future—the highest ever; Economic growth last quarter hit 4.2 percent; Women’s unemployment recently reached the lowest rate in 65 years; Signed the biggest package of tax cuts and reforms in history. After tax cuts, over $300 billion poured back into the U.S. in the first quarter alone; Helped win U.S. bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles; Helped win U.S.-Mexico-Canada’s united bid for 2026 World Cup; Providing more affordable healthcare options for Americans through association health plans and short-term duration plans and reformed the Medicare program to stop hospitals from overcharging low-income senior citizens on their drugs—saving seniors hundreds of millions of dollars this year alone; Signed Right-To-Try legislation; Increased US coal exports by 60 percent; U.S. oil production recently reached all-time high; made United States to become a net natural gas exporter for the first time since 1957; Secured record of $700 billion in military funding; $716 billion next year; Moved U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem; Protected Americans from terrorists with the Travel Ban, which was upheld by Supreme Court; Reached a breakthrough agreement with the E.U. to increase U.S. exports; Imposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to protect US national security; Imposed tariffs on China in response to China’s forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and their chronically abusive trade practices, and so many other policies and practices put in place to make America great again.

Truth is, whether we like it or not, Trump is an embodiment of a political leader who is serving his country with all of his might and soul, regardless of who or what is involved. He does not care what people think. Does not pretend about anything. Does not speak like a typical Politician, yet a very outspoken, blunt and forthright US President. Trump, within the short time he has been in Office, has SANITIZED his country. In fact, I strongly wish we have someone like Trump as Nigeria’s President. We seriously need Trump as a Nigerian President who is a no-nonsense person who does not care who or what is involved in carrying out his election campaign and promises to the people. Nigeria is in desperate need of someone like Trump, who is not afraid to take certain decisions, as far as those decisions are tailored towards improving the ‘general living standards of the citizenry’ – not some selected few like we see here.

Agreed that Trump’s immigration policies may be tough, harsh and uncommon, but what many fail to realize is that the man is only bent on ‘protecting’ his country -America, and its citizens from any form of ‘external’ forces. This is the only reason citizens of most developing countries like Nigeria, do not like Trump. And the question is, why don’t Nigeria and its political leaders strive to protect the interest of its citizens – both in terms of the economy and security? What is also our business and headache, as to how the US President wants to protect and project the interests of his country? Shouldn’t we be more focused on improving Nigeria’s economy and the living standard of the common masses, as well as the security of lives and property? Is it not absurd and funny how Nigerians and its political leaders want to ‘destroy’ the country because of “insatiable greed” and love for power? Yet they are desirous of traveling to America and other developed countries for medical tourism and settling their families abroad – to enjoy the good economy and living standards over there. But you cannot ‘destroy’ your own home country, and then want to go to another man’s country to enjoy what is there.

I remember how in the early 50s and 60s, Nigerians who were opportuned to be schooled in the UK and US, returned back home without delay once they are through with their studies. And the reason is because they had more opportunities back home to start life and family with. But now, about 90% of Nigerians who travel over there for the same studies, do not return because of the obvious. As it is in Nigeria, so it is in most African Countries. This leaves me to agree with the conclusion by former African Union (AU) Ambassador, Dr. Arikana, that “Africans are sick and need urgent healing.” In her words: “What is needed for Africa to be liberated today, is to remove the shackles of the mind. We are sick and wounded people, and we need healing. And I often say that we are not in the Doctors Office with our illness of the mind. We are not even in the General Ward of the Hospital. We are in the Intensive Care. We need healing. We must accept that as Black People, we are sick and we need healing. And that healing is in the mind. And until that healing takes place, nothing is going to change.

“The most dangerous thing for Africa today, is a colonized Africa. And we need to seek the healing that we deserve in other for Africa to move forward. It is okay to fight as a family, internally. But when the ‘Outsider comes in’, we should forget our differences and deal with the ‘enemy’ together. Until Africa gets to that point where we stand up, proud and tall as Africans, and understand that our sheer survival begins with our unity, nothing is going to change. The exploitation will continue. So, I say to my fellow Africans, we need healing. Let us decolonize ourselves. Let us eliminate the legacy of slavery. And this is true, of not only Africans in the continent, but Africans around the globe…”

So, to all my critics on this subject matter, who has been all about Trump this and Trump that; they should focus on the question – why can’t we strive to secure our country better and the drastically improve the living standards of the general masses? If anything, we all, especially Nigeria’s political leaders, should learn from the US President, Donald Trump, on how to become compassionate, committed, devoted, self-motivated and unselfish in striving to change the narrative in Nigeria and make this country great for all and sundry – regardless of tribe, religion, party affiliations, and what have you.

Zik Gbemre.

December 24, 2019

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