[kalu31]

So why is Obama going to Ghana, yes Accra and not Abuja for his first state visit to Black Africa? Simple, Nigeria now is an embarrassment to the black race. that is harsh, embarrassment, the giant of Africa an embarrassment? the largest democracy in black Africa? The nation that brought down Apartheid in South Africa? the Nation that resorted peace to Liberia and Sierra Leone?, the largest oil producer in Africa? Kalu how are we an embarrassment? Well just look at the headlines recently; allow me

1. INEC fumbles an election in a tiny state and a tiny ward; this is with the Inspector General of Police in attendance. Police then arrest INEC official over N250 million bribe scandal, (alleged)the REC resigns and retakes her appointment, a political party accued of “donating” money to NYSC corpers who conducted the election.
2. The Senate committee of power is arrested for fraud in rural electrification, this is the committee investigating the $16 (or$6b) NIPP scandal (alleged). 158 contracs awareded in one day and N5.2billion in one day!

4. Fuel lines
5. Halliburton Scandal
6. Niger Delta Militancy

If you were Obama would you come to Nigeria Now?

Make no mistake America is giving us a message. At the same time Ribadu has been invited to speak to the US congressional committee on financial services on the devastating effects of corruption. The man the administration has declared wanted is invited to speak to the US congress; go figure.

I read that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Senate Chairman on Foreign affairs went to the US to book an appointment to see Yaradua; they did not even get to see Mrs. Clinton.

Nigeria has certainly slid down in influence n Africa. Once Nigeria supported the MPLA in Angola against the UNITA of the US, now we can’t even release our hostages held by Somalia prates for almost two years now. We were snubbed for the G20, snubbed for Obama landmark visit. On the business side Nestle is moving their regional office to Ghana, Michelin and Dunlop have pulled out, even the super eagles are no longer number 1 in Africa.

We need to do something, we have to regain our Mojo, our confidence our oomph. It has to start with basic things on the ground, simple things like clearing garbage form the streets, enforcing traffic rules, can we be bold as to ask for power ie light? We have to stop looking for foreign investors in London, Finland etc and come home and fix PHCN. There is a lot of work to do, and you can only rebrand, when there is actually is a brand.

If I said NIGERIA, what single word would come to our mind?