Obama
in Kenya in 2007: Planned for early in July, his first visit to
the
continent since his election has whipped up a controversy in
Nigeria,
after the president decided to avoid that nation and visit
Ghana
instead. Traditionally considered one of the most important
countries
in Africa, Nigerians are asking themselves why.
The Ghanaian Times, Ghana
'Why Obama Snubbed Nigeria'
"The
presidency guys should cover their faces in shame for attacking or reacting too
negatively to Professor Soyinka for declaring the open truth. If Obama had
chosen to come to Nigeria, I would personally have organized a Two Million Man March
against him."
-- Nigerian Wale Ade
"If
Obama decides to grace Nigeria with his presence, I will stone him. The message
he is sending by going to Ghana is so obvious, is so brilliant that he must not
render it flawed by coming to Nigeria any time soon."
-- Nigerian Nobel
Laureate Wole Soyinka
By Times Reporter
June 2, 2009
Ghana - The Ghanaian Times - Original Article (English)
The proposed visit of U.S.
President Barack Obama to Ghana has whipped up a frenzy among ordinary
Nigerians and is becoming a political and diplomatic "tug of words." Mr.
Obama and his wife Michelle will visit Ghana in July, his fist trip to Africa
as American head of state.
Since the announcement was
made earlier this month, some Nigerians, including at the top of the political
hierarchy, are furious at Mr. Obama's choice of Ghana over Nigeria, regarding
it as not only a snub, but a shame. After all, Nigeria is one of America's strategic
partners and an African "heavyweight. [Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous country in the world with a population of over 148 million, it is the most populous 'Black' country in the world"].
On the other hand, many argue
that Nigeria is a failed state, while Ghana is both a thriving democracy and a
political success in Africa, thus it was Obama's preference.
The latest to join the war of
words is the popular Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka [1986 Nobel
Prize in Literature], who indicated that Obama's choice of Ghana is a wise
decision:
"If Obama decides to
grace Nigeria with his presence, I will stone him. The message he is sending by
going to Ghana is so obvious, is so brilliant that he must not render it flawed
by coming to Nigeria any time soon," he said.
EMBARRASSMENT
The Nigerian Presidency, however,
was quick to react to Soyinka's "unpatriotic" and "embarrassing"
attitude. Ambassador Jibrin Chinade, special foreign policy adviser to President
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua,
said "Soyinka's statement, which he is entitled to, is most unfortunate
and undiplomatic, particularly since he chose the wrong venue to make it and
ended up embarrassing the Italian Ambassador who had invited him to an art
exhibition [at the Italian Embassy in Abuja]," This Day quoted him
as saying.
Ambassador Chinade continued:
"It's most unfortunate that a prominent citizen like Soyinka seized on the
opportunity of a diplomatic invitation to attack his own country.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
I have read all of his books,
including his most recent. But for someone to speak at an art exhibition and to
say nothing but words denigrating himself and his country which has done so
much for him, is most unfortunate and highly embarrassing."
NIGERIA
GHANA
National and even
international media continue to report on the ongoing debate. Many privately
owned media in Nigeria are of the view that fiddling with elections, corruption,
economic and social disparity all add up to Obama's "rejection" of
Nigeria as his first priority.
The office of the president
has said, however that Nigeria has no problem with Obama visiting Ghana, since
Ghana is not only a friendly country but a fellow member of the Economic Community of West African
States.
"What country to visit
and when is entirely the prerogative of a country, and Nigeria has no problem
whatsoever with whom Obama visits and when. We cannot predetermine this."
SUPPORT FOR WOLE SOYINKA
Many continue to support Mr.
Soyinka's statement, arguing that the Nobel Laureate has only spoken the truth of
the real state of affairs in Nigeria, which should do more to reform its democracy.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
One Nigerian, Wale Ade said: "Whatever
Professor Wole Soyinka says is his prerogative. While I don't agree with most
of his opinions, I respect the man's view on this issue. We as Nigerians must recognize
the message he sends to us. But for the reckless, inconsiderate, greedy people
that practice politics just to enrich themselves and have access to the wealth
of this country, we would be a great country with practically everything needed
to be one of the top 10 economies in the world.
"The so-called
leadership strata of the country lack empathy [for the people]. Just holding [free
and fair] elections has been impossible - and this in a country that has a brilliant
and intellectual population like no other in Africa. It simply shows the rest
of the world how disingenuous a people we are," he said.
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
The Ghanaian Times, Ghana:
'Why Obama Snubbed Nigeria'
This Day, Nigeria:
Obama's Choice to Visit Ghana and Not Nigeria Should Be a Lesson to Us
Boobab, Nigeria:
If Obama
Comes to Nigeria, 'I Will Stone Him'
Samuel Adegboyega of Abuja
[the Nigerian capitol] said, "The Presidency guys should cover their faces
in shame for attacking or reacting too negatively to Professor Soyinka for
declaring the open truth. If Obama had chosen to come to Nigeria, I would personally
have organized a Two Million Man March against him."
Dauda Gambo of the department
of history at the University of Maiduguri, however, argued that Obama's choice
of Ghana as his first stop in Africa has no undertone. "If we're talking
of personal preference, he would have chosen Kenya."
Meanwhile, Ghana continues to
accrue democratic dividends and score economic points. A group of business
associations from Great Britain will visit Ghana next month.
The UK-West Africa Business
Association's Oil and Gas Business Conference and Exhibition, in its second
visit to Accra [capital of Ghana], will help engage in the ongoing development
of Ghana's newly discovered oil fields.
[Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US June 18, 6:09pm]
