Centenary guests’ encomiums

Tunji Ajibade

The two separate visits were related in a way – the one by foreign leaders to Nigeria for the centenary conference, as well as a latter visit by Jack Straw, the former British Foreign Secretary. Straw met with opposition party leaders when he came mid-March. Meanwhile, the foreign leaders were President Goodluck Jonathan’s august visitors, and some of them would go on to put on display how much the host was their friend. An example was Kenya’s president represented by his Vice-President, William Ruto, who spoke for East Africa. No doubt, from Ruto’s glowing speech, Nigerians saw the result of their leader’s frequent visit to Kenya and the battle he led in 2013 on behalf of that East African country against the insurgency of the International Criminal Court over charges of crime against humanity. Well, the president’s invitation card that brought the 26 foreign leaders to Nigeria’s centenary conference had placed emphasis on the need to discuss, “Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for the 21st Century.” In the course of the event however, the visitors said some notable things about Nigeria. Straw also did when he held a meeting with the opposition party leaders.

It’s good to start with the president’s visitors because what they said raises issues. And what the president said at the conference, as well as what he had been saying in some other settings, reminds one of a few things about the conduct of Nigeria’s foreign policy. For instance, in line with ECOWAS position since 2007, President Jonathan had been mentioning the need for West Africa to transform from “ECOWAS of States” into “ECOWAS of the people”. The former approach had always made this writer conclude that the reason Nigerian officials took some strange foreign policy decisions in the manner they did was because the views and feelings of ordinary Nigerians didn’t always inform those decisions, and officials never accounted for their decisions. This gap is deepened by years of rule by men in green khaki uniform, and in any case, except for state officials and organised business, the average Nigerian isn’t aware of ECOWAS provisions designed to make movement across the west coast easier for him. Link this to the fact that elementary issues sway how electorate vote here, unlike the Americans who are known to throw a president out of office because he fails to rescue American hostages in Iran, or handle well the course of a war in Iraq. At the centenary conference though, President Jonathan voiced his conviction that it was time to end the era of “security of States” and replace with “security of the people”, a note that is core to the theme of the conference, and which one hopes will ultimately impact the conduct of Nigeria’s foreign policy. Inclusive security of the people in the face of new challenges was what the visitors were meant to speak about at the conference anyway, but in the process, they stood at attention and threw salutes for Nigeria.

A careful perusal of the comments made by foreign leaders in the course of the conference could turn emotional for any Nigerian that knew the many pains of his nation. For it’s humbling for anyone to hear others speak about his nation that way; they spoke glowingly about a nation with so much potential: “I am struck by Nigerian youths and their vitality”, Mark Simmons, the envoy of the British Prime Minister had said. “It’s evident, sir, that Nigeria enjoys the respect, the admiration, and the hope of the entire continent. Nigeria represents the joy and the hope of the entire continent”, the envoy of the president of the United States of America had added. And African Union’s Chairperson said she was proud of the investment Nigeria had made in its people since independence which “has resulted in Nigeria being an economic powerhouse on the continent.” She didn’t fail to note that Nigeria had the third largest film industry in the world which made it “an important voice in telling the African story”.

There were yet more encomiums: “There’s reason for Nigeria to celebrate. There’s every reason for some of us here to celebrate the greatness of Nigeria.” Sierra Leone’s president said that. He said Nigeria came to the aid of his country when it needed peace and security. “It’s only a great nation that can do that. So we want to use this platform to thank Nigeria for your greatness”, he had added.

He went on to put into perspective what another speaker at the conference had said about Nigeria being a powerhouse for development in Africa: “The responsibility Nigeria carries is that, for every 2 West Africans 1 is a Nigerian; for every 4 Africans 1 is a Nigerian.

That bestows a lot of responsibility on Nigeria. This simply tells us that when Nigeria sneezes, we must catch cold.” To such words, this writer’s typical reaction is: If only those saddled with responsibilities here realise it, put this house in order and portray the nation much in the pattern those visitors pour encomiums.

Now, some of those at the centenary conference were typical in what they said; no, they exhibited their usual tendency in what they chose to say. UK’s envoy for instance was as restrained in his comments as British diplomats are wont to be, muck unlike their African counterparts on that occasion. Simmons hadn’t gone far into his speech when he veered into seeking closer ties between UK, Nigeria and other African nations, a safe lane to follow. So history lane was where he went, a thing that kept both his hosts and other visitors in their ebullient celebratory mood: “Nigeria’s first Prime Minister said at independence in 1960 that Nigeria’s relations with the UK were always as friends. This is as true now as it was 54 years ago,” he had said to a round of affable clapping. Naturally, he expressed his joy about his country’s trade relationship with “Nigeria and our countless educational, sporting and cultural connections. So it’s exciting to recognise, as we stand at the door of a new century for Nigeria, the future that brings with it extraordinary possibilities for the country and for many African nations.”

Among those who hadn’t been so formal and had brought some cheery atmosphere to the conference was Kenya’s Ruto whose speech had been more about praising Nigeria the way one would praise a brother one’s proud to have. Ruto spoke so glowingly that he got President Jonathan to break into a presidential smile and an equally enthusiastic presidential applause. “About half a century ago, a country was born which gives rise to Africa’s most illustrious nation”, Ruto said. And he went on to add that in spite of challenges, Nigeria’s “indefatigable people have exemplified the African spirit… Nigeria is a big country and a big nation. It is also blessed with abundance of talents. Nigeria is the place where proud people dream big dreams…

Over a century of trial and tribulation Nigeria has never failed to inspire Africa. Truly Nigeria is a beautiful home of astounding prodigies. All of us who look up to this nation never cease to thank God for this wonderful gift to Africa”.

And to think President Jonathan hadn’t asked for those praises for Nigeria in his welcome address.  He had essentially said that if AU leaders “stay focused and work together, we can make this 21 century the African century”, and to achieve this, “development must be people-centered, people-driven and focused on human security”.

Nevertheless, the encomiums came freely, pouring from hearts that realised what Nigeria has but which successive leaders here don’t harness, definitely not with the ceaseless looting of the commonwealth, a point Straw also made when he visited. He said Nigeria has one of the highest level of inequalities in the world which shouldn’t be. He said Nigeria is in a sorry state principally because of chronic corruption and lack of transparency among Nigerian administrators and the ruling elite. Then he proffered a solution: The best way to combat corruption is to make transparency core to governance as well as make the judiciary one which metes out penalties to corrupt officials. Straw wasn’t saying what Nigerians never said before, a reason some insisted there was no point having a national conference if two of the main issues that weighed Nigeria down weren’t taken care of – the inadequate punishment for looters, as well as the compromised judicial officers – who don’t realise they’re saddled with responsibilities fit only for gods that mustn’t ever be compromised.

Nigerians will talk their hearts out at the National Conference, of course. But a system that neither tolerates looting nor accommodates a judiciary that messes up issues of law isn’t something conference delegates can debate into existence; rather it’s for those with political will to do something about. And Nigerians expectantly wait for that, much as they do the eventual outcome of the National Conference.