A day Mbu would rather watch and pray for Nigeria

With notebook, recorder and pen ready, I sat there in the general reception of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos waiting to keep an appointment with the Director-General, Dr George Obiozor Tuesday, November 11, 1997. I had almost given up hope of having a chat with the director-general because […]

With notebook, recorder and pen ready, I sat there in the general reception of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos waiting to keep an appointment with the Director-General, Dr George Obiozor Tuesday, November 11, 1997.

I had almost given up hope of having a chat with the director-general because of the unusually long period of waiting to be called. With muscle cramps and a revolting buttock, I had made up my mind to leave.

Suddenly a gentleman spotting a blue well-tailored suit, striped tie, black socks and shoes to match, clutching a brown suitcase in his left hand, walked briskly into the reception. He sat down and began to fan himself with two invitation cards that probably provided insufficient air for a place that has no air condition or fan.

His properly combed dark hair, clean shaven face and rather friendly ambience struck a note of familiarity which set me thinking. He radiated scholarship and diplomatic brilliance. “That is Chief Matthew Mbu, former foreign affairs secretary.” One of the security men told me as if volunteering a very vital information.

It then dawned on me that I was about to chat with a big shot, a man who was the first Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; first Nigerian chief representative to Washington DC; Foreign Affairs Minister in the First Republic, former minister of labour, acting federal minister of commerce and industry, acting federal minister of transport, minister of state, office of the prime minister, among other political appointments.

But one thing that sort of puzzled me was that the 68-year-old Ogoja-born high Chief looked rather younger than his age especially when I consider his brisk steps and quick but meticulous responses to questions. At that point, I could no longer resist the burning urge to go and have a chat with him, no matter how brief. But then, there was this fear: what if I started interviewing him and suddenly the receptionist announced that it was my turn to see the director-general? I took solace in the argument that should my appointment with the director-general fails I can always check on him and book another one. So it would not be proper to Miss Chief Mbu who I can only see perhaps once in a blue moon.

When I eventually asked the former foreign secretary, during the defunct Interim National Government (ING) to assess the Head of State, General Sani Abacha’s foreign policies so far, he kept reflectively quiet a while as he kept fanning himself with the cards.

Then like somebody who suddenly changed his mind on a dicey issue or topic, he stopped the fanning motion and said: “As a former foreign minister, it will be insidious to comment on that. My observations on that could be misconstrued and misinterpreted if I comment, and therefore I will not comment on that.”

He remained silent again and looked into space as he resumed fanning. After assuring him that SUNDAY TIMES is not in the habit of misrepresenting its sources, he then added: “All I can say is that in our new policy of winning new friends for Nigeria, we should not only consolidate the goodwill of the new friends but to continue to sustain such special relationships with the country’s old friends.”

Now the chief was willing to talk. He dropped the cards on the low round table in front of him and began to gesticulate with his two hands. And then I could feel the diplomatic spirit in him coming up, waxing stronger like an orator whose listeners urged on. “We have always maintained commendable records of helping our brother-neighbouring states in the United Nations (UN). And as a member of the World Body, we’ve participated in almost all the peace keeping operations to ensure peace and tranquility in troubled countries,” he said confidently.

In both material and human resources, Nigeria has contributed immensely to the OAU, UN, ECOWAS, and other such bodies, he added, but with a warning: “The country can at all times, watch in her own interest but not to be abandoned in the lutch during peace keeping.”

As the chat progressed, Chief Mbu abruptly stood up like someone who felt uncomfortable with his seat and walked briskly towards a man who came to exchange pleasantries. “The programme has been postponed, we are very sorry about it,” the man apologised to the diplomat who came very early for a ceremony that never was.

With his left hand tucked inside his trouser’s pocket, Chief Mbu discussed briefly with the man and came back to resume our chat. Being conscious of his modest dressing, he first adjusted his tie, lappel of his suit and after a quick glance at his watch, I asked him whether he thinks the Head of State, General Abacba merits the type of international response he has so far gotten. “I feel he’s doing his best…To be understood in the enormous, awful task of governing Nigeria, has its own complex problems. In that regard, Nigerians should think of their complex problems properly before passing judgments,” Chief Mbu cautioned diplomatically.

Chief Mbu’s opinion of the current political transition programme seems to be that of “Let’s watch and pray.” Because the transition programme is nearing its last phases, he enjoined Nigerians to try and see to its success. “We are getting into the last stages of the transition. And I will like all Nigerians to pray that by October 1, 1998, Nigeria will usher in a durable and sustainable democracy under the banner of Nigerian citizens without our uniforms, he said with much emphasis on the phrase “without our uniforms.”

As we chatted, another gentleman came in, he had recognised the chief from afar. The diplomat who is also a barrister and solicitor sprang to his feet and embraced the man in a long-time-no-see manner. As he smiled, he revealed a set of his snow white teeth that are more or less of the same size. When he finally came back, he fiddled with the key of his suitcase, opened it, dropped the two cards and brought out his complimentary card which he gave me.

I needed no soothsayer at this juncture, to tell me that time was up. But before he took his leave, I “pulled” his legs once more. Does he agree that General Abacha saved the country from the brink of collapse? “He played a major role. He intervened at that critical period. So one cannot deny him that fact because it’s on historical record,” he said. And before his final departure, he gave me another diplomatic, warm handshake which made me feel the warmth of his palm. When I eventually saw the director-general, he said: “O! You know you are my friend, you are from the media but I’m sorry I can’t talk now. There’s no time. May be another day, we can talk on a number of issues.”

Culled from SUNDAY TIMES November 16, 1997.