Nigerian scholars condemn gathering of politicians in London

Nigerian scholars condemn gathering of politicians in London

Says act shows colonial mindset

The Nigerian Academy of International Affairs has condemned the gathering of Nigerian politicians in London ahead of the 2023 elections.

The Academy in a statement made available to Irohonoodua on Tuesday said it is scandalised by the clownish gathering of some members of Nigerian political elite in London recently following similar meetings in Paris and Dubai.

The group, made up of Professors and scholars said it is most unfortunate and heartbreaking that some Nigerian leaders had to abandon the shores for the ex-colonialists’ capitals of London and Paris in search of delusion-solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

The group said the ill-advised and unwitting jamboree “of shame displayed by these leading Nigerian politicians in London/Paris has demonstrated once more that the Nigerian environment created and polluted by them is not conducive to their vainglorious self-importance and unearned esteem.”

The scholars said because of their Neo-colonial mentality which blinded them from seeing and appreciating the goodwill and resilience of Nigerians, they preferred a savoury Western atmosphere.

“The implication of this is the exposure of Nigeria directly or indirectly to unwarranted Western influence, particularly as they were perceived to be washing our dirty linens in the full glare of the world,” the group said.

It continued that it is ludicrous that, from information to the Academy, some horse trading which dominated their so-called talks on bringing “enduring hope to Nigeria”, centred on counting their chickens before the eggs are hatched, as deliberations focussed on dividing and allocating the national cake to themselves even before the cake is baked, as regards the allocation of principal offices of the National Assembly, Ministerial posts, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others, rather than devoting sufficient time to finding solutions to the pervasive insecurity, economic recession and poverty in the land, problems which they caused or contributed substantially to their creation.

“Indeed, the unnecessary and inexcusable trips to London/Paris/Dubai demonstrated the insensitivity and reckless disregard for the plights of Nigerian workers and pensioners whose salaries and pensions have not been paid for a long time,” the group said.

It argued that it is really revolting and unacceptable that Nigerian leaders should always fly out of the country in search of the magic wand to solve the country’s problems.

“It would be more cost-effective and appropriate to brainstorm here in Nigeria in order to get wise counsel from the rich pool of very capable and patriotic Nigerians” the group said.

It argued that the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies within Nigeria and among Nigerians.

It said further “Let it not be the norm or practice that Nigerian leaders have to fly to Western capitals to rule the country by remote control in the same way that many nonchalant State Governors rule their states from Abuja.
During the gravest period of our existence, our civil war, and peace meetings/conferences were held only in Africa. None was held in Europe or the Americas.”

The scholars said it is this kind of neo-colonialist behaviour that has led to our absence from the global scene. Nigeria is not invited to G20, Brics or any significant meetings. Countries that watch our leaders’ pattern of behaviour such as the obnoxious conclaves in London/Paris/Dubai will have no respect for Nigeria. No wonder South Africa has eclipsed Nigeria on the global scene.

“The Academy, a platform set up for open and private debate on the emerging new world order and Nigeria’s role or non-role in the world, feels it has a duty to call out our leaders when their behaviour diminishes Nigeria’s status in the world.”

The signatories are PROFESSSOR A. BOLAJI AKINYEMI
PRESIDENT, NIGERIAN ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND FORMER FOREIGN MINISTERnm
ON BEHALF OF THE FOLLOWING FELLOWS
1. ODEIN AJUMOGOBIA, SAN, FORMER FOREIGNn MINISTER
2. PROF JOY OGWU, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER
3. PROF JIDE OSUNTOKUN, FORMER AMBASSADOR’S
4. PROF ALABA OGUNSANWO, FORMER AMBASSADOR
5. AMBASSADORm JOE KESHI
6. AMBASSADOR DR. JAIYEOLA LEWU
7. LT. GENERAL AGWAI MARTINm LUTHER
8. AMBASSADOR SEGUN APATA
9. AMBASSADOR GODKNOWS IGALI
10. PROFESSOR EGHOSA OSAGIE, DG, NIIA
11. PROFESSOR NUHU YAQOOB
12. PROFESSOR AKIN OYEBODE
13. PROFESSOR EGHOSA OSAGIE
14. PROFESSOR HASSAN SALIU
15. PROFESSOR JIDE OWOEYE
16. AMBASSADOR KAYODE SHINKAIYE
17. PROFESSOR BOLA AKINTERINWA