‘Why Obama Snubbed Nigeria’: The Ghanaian Times, Ghana
Jun 18th, 2009 | 4 responses
With all the global crises involving the United States that have broken out of late, one controversy that has erupted in Africa centering on President Obama has gone largely noticed.
Last month, the White House announced that Barack Obama would make his first visit to Africa (setting aside his trip to Egypt, which is viewed by many as more of a Middle East/Arab country) since becoming president on July 10-11. Because President Obama is the first U.S. leader with ‘African blood in his veins,’ his choice to visit Ghana and not Nigeria – the oil rich and most populous country in Africa, has triggered great soul-searching within Nigeria.
This article from Ghana’s Ghanaian Times, says in part:
“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.’ … 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.”
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.”
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.’”
Naturally, the Nigerian government has taken umbrage at the criticism:
“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.”
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"].
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4 Responses to “‘Why Obama Snubbed Nigeria’: The Ghanaian Times, Ghana”
Regardless of Nigeria being economically powerful and one of the world's most populous countries it seems to be a bit of a basket case. Politically it is said to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world and domestically it is known to be quite unstable. A visit by Barrack Obama would be a logistical security nightmare for The White House. Perhaps the decision of Barrack Obama to visit Ghana instead is meant to be a direct snub to Nigeria but merely a safe option whilst still symbolic in that he is still visiting Africa.
I beg of people all over the world, everybody should stick to there individual problems, who can tell me, which country in this world is free from corruption, election inqualities, and other allegation that may be put on Nigeria.
Let me tell you something, Nigeria is a gifted country that what ever happens there, people want to know, and not just knowing but carring the news upside down.When an individual mess, it smell. that is the case of Nigeria. Nigeria is Place to be for every soul, and if Obama wish not to, then that shouldn't be a noise.
I respect Presidnt Obama who is and will not be moved by the undeserved praises Nigeria golries herself with.I mean what makes Nigeria the giant of Africa(Is it the high level of illiterates?).I mean should Obama fall in darkness as the country has no light?Or get deaf to the noise of the constant generators?
or ven get dizzy from the potholes on Nigeria's road.
My people wake up………
Obama I hail U oh
Obama's choice to visit Ghana and not Nigeria is not a surprise. If you just look at the track record of the two countries, it is clear to see Obama's reason for his choice. One of Ghana's great plus points is the peaceful and stable electoral process. Interesting enough however, it was a Nigerian that contributed considerably to the success of Ghana's president Atta Mills. Pastor T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue is described is described by Mills as his mentor, providing him spiritual guidance and counseling. 3 days after his inauguration, Mills paid a visit to Joshua's church giving praise and acclamation to Joshua and telling the world how T.B. Joshua had actually predicted the outcome of the election. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzR1poV0r04. But in his homeland Joshua is openly vilified and criticized by those of all calibre and class especially by other 'men pf God'. It is this lack of appreciation for genuine, humble, unselfish and simple Nigerians such as Joshua that is killing our nation and will continue to hinder our progress – something that should have come many many years ago…