America, Versus Nigeria: Of Debts, Disintegration & Friendships, With Enemies?
By

Paul Adujie
Lawcareer@msn.com



New York, United States

 

One Barrister Peter Okoh wrote in the pages of The Guardian, Nigeria's premier newspaper and told a story, in the most glowing terms that America means well for Nigeria despite the reactions by some Nigerians, myself, among them, who are offended by it and sees it as an unfriendly act As if on cue, a bedeviled cue, the American government would in matter of days, demonstrate their "friendship" once again, by stating their opposition in the most public manner, President Bush's opposition to Nigeria's desire for debts cancellations! This, coming from the Americans soon after their publicly announced prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate in 15 years and this is coming against the backdrop of President Obasanjo's passionate efforts to see Nigeria's cancelled! President Bush with Prime Minister Blair appeared together at the American seat of power, to announce a tepid and scaled down version of financial assistance to African countries; it was announced amidst the usual pomp and din that usually lead to no action definitive and concrete, for Africa A journalist with The New York Times then wrote an article in which it was revealed that most people actually erroneously believe that the US and other rich nations give more financial help to Africans, but that such is a mistaken belief! It is complete bafflement to me, that any Nigerian would find any scintilla of friendship in those who predict the end of our existence as a nation and those who are opposed to what President Obasanjo and his sister Okonjo-Iweala the honorable minister of finance! They want debt relief, relief from the debt that has been breaking our collective backs.

Debt cancellation or relief sought by President Obasnjo and Minister Iweala, deserves the support of all Nigerians, this is about us! Nigerians ought to make mental notes of those who have loudly opposed what we seek. As at June 11, 2005, Nigeria is not among the announced countries slated for debt relief or debt cancellations, and in large measure, this is what I accuse President Bush of, he did not want Nigerian debt forgiven, and his agencies were busily proclaiming the scheduling of Nigeria's disintegration! Now, President Bush convinced Prime Minister Blair against Nigeria, and the government and people of Nigerians must, or ought to make a mental note of these events. And as for the Nigerians who were opposed to debt cancellation for Nigeria, I hope they are elatedly happy now? Mr. Okoh extolled his benefit from American education, and I am so happy for him, but one has to wonder whether he did obtain his primary and secondary school education in the US as well? I wonder why most Nigerians with higher education, whether living at home or abroad, never tend to speak about Nigeria's education system in glowing terms such as did Mr. Okoh in his very effusive article about how wonderful everything American is? I am a product of Nigerian education and proud! Everything that I needed to know about life, I learnt from my parents, and wonderful Nigerian teachers! Nigerians ought to assiduously avoid the naivette, of thinking that non-Nigerians know our interests better than us and outsiders will rescue us and would and are always acting in good faith regarding NIGERIA'S NATIONAL INERESTS Why Do Nigerians explicitly and implicitly trust foreign leaders but not ours? Should we always offer benefits of the doubt to outsiders, who we tend to always, assume are acting in utmost good faith? While always suspecting all the actions of our political leaders in Nigeria as perennial dishonorable(s)? All Nigerians ought to wake to the reality of our duty, responsibility and obligation to Nigeria, as first and foremost!