Oprah is in denial, just look at her, doesn’t she look SO Nigerian (You wonder why she is investing in South Africa where they look different); Randy Crawford looks very Ghanaian; Obama, we already know; Jesse Jackson also looks very Nigerian; and who can deny that the Jacksons are Igbos, there!
On a more serious note: Is tiny Gambia not part of ECOWAS, and if so, is there still a restriction in movement of people from member states? If ECOWAS countries are still restricting citizens of ECOWAS, it would be a great indictment of ECOWAS itself—a failure of ECOWAS.
I think Professor Abba Gana Shettima should be more active and not just complain in newspapers: He should collect signatures from other ECOWAS and Nigerian Professors, lecturers and Senators to petition the Gambian government. It is a restriction of his personal freedom as a citizen of ECOWAS, and academic freedom.
As often as I encounter these ferocious attacks against my nation and my continent, I always wish that I have the natural, divine and even, supernatural powers to write thrillingly eloquent defense of Nigerians, continental Africans and all peoples of African descent.
Yes, this is “an eye for an eye”; however my preferred maxim is: “if an adversary takes an eye of yours, take two eyes of his”—the additional eye is necessary to further reduce the adversary chances of a repeat.
I understand that Oprah was herself very concerned that some people (Nigerians) might misinterpret it as an indictment on all Nigerians, which was not her intention. Nevertheless, I can always justify the author’s passion and defence of our dear country on the grounds of extreme provocation and negativity from outsiders and their Nigerian collaborators (the
enemies within, who are quick to come to the defence of these hate merchants outsiders, some of whom are racist masquerading as serious critics or journalist.
I believe that as long as Nigerian refuses to look inward to identify our problems and solve them, it is suicidal to fight the bad press and negativity shown by outsiders towards our beloved country. We should invest our time and resources in the improvement of our well being. If we succeed, the rest of the world will come round to respect and envy us. What the world respects is money, power, economic and technological achievements. No amount of marketing will attract any tenant to a house built next to raw sewage.