Re: Theresa May: The grandeur and illusion of empire
Ambassador I. C. Olisemeka’s brilliant article written in lucid English which is his hallmark, is thought-provoking and a challenge to genuine Nigerian patriots to think deeply about Nigeria and where it should have been by now. Should Nigeria continue to be only a ‘potentially great country’ or giant with clay feet? The answer is no! […]
Ambassador I. C. Olisemeka’s brilliant article written in lucid English which is his hallmark, is thought-provoking and a challenge to genuine Nigerian patriots to think deeply about Nigeria and where it should have been by now. Should Nigeria continue to be only a ‘potentially great country’ or giant with clay feet? The answer is no! Amb. Olisemeka’s well-reasoned and well-written article on candidate Buhari before the 2015 Presidential Election was not only well-read, well-received and appreciated greatly; it became a game changer, especially in the southern part of Nigeria.
Yes, Nigeria played a credible and commendable role to get Yahya Jammeh unhorsed in The Gambia but what is its position on BREXIT and its implication for Nigeria and Nigerians? What is its position on the dance of absurdity by Donald Trump in America which even very close European allies find deeply unsettling and have said so publicly? Again should Nigeria have come out forcefully to defend Senegal in the face of unconscionable harassment and intimidation from the hawkish and arrogant Netanyahu government for its principled position as to co-sponsor UNSC Resolution 2334 of December 23, 2016 which condemned and declared as illegal all Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem? As the undisputed leader of ECOWAS, Nigeria should have publicly shown solidarity with the government and people of Senegal.
People like Ambassador Olisemeka are extremely rare to find in Nigeria where national interest has been subordinated to personal interest. He has always been unobtrusive, shunning undue publicity and, like the first class diplomat that he proudly was, carefully choosing who to associate with. However, despite his immense contribution to the progress of Nigeria, this 1957 graduate who served as Chief of Protocol to Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and President Azikiwe, served with distinction as Ambassador in nine countries and also as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs, doesn’t have a street named after him in Abuja!! But those who contributed immensely to its stunted political and economic development have streets named after them in the same Abuja!!!
Ambassador Suleiman Dahiru, OFR, Abuja.