Davidson Iriekpen
13 July 2009
Lagos — US President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana may have come and gone but the significance of the choice of the West African country as against Nigeria and Kenya, is still a subject discourse.
Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday in a statement titled: "Obama's Choice' faulted what he described as the "resentment and indignation" from government over Obama's symbolic boycott of Nigeria, wondering how those in power would imagine that a leader like Obama, who ascended to power through respect for the manifested will of a people, would actually lend his presence to dignify any state that demonstrably rejects, and actively ridicules, the very means that brought him (Obama) to power.
Using the expression "blood is thicker than water" to buttress his point, the nobel laureate said Obama's gesture is intended to inform nations like Kenya and Nigeria that neither blood nor oil courses thicker than equity.
He said anyone who had read Obama's memoirs, Dreams from my Father, or knows his trajectory through childhood, intellectual and political formation,would understand immediately that he would sooner spend Thanksgiving Day with the genocidal government of Omar Bashir, or the throwback mullahs of Iran than choose either Uganda or Nigeria for a first visit that not only pursues political and economic goals, but is profoundly symbolic.
"Blood, they say, is thicker than water. Obama's gesture is intended to inform nations like Kenya and Nigeria that neither blood nor oil courses thicker than equity. How sad it makes one - no, not the studied excision by Obama of those two nations from his itinerary - but the lack of objective self-assessment within the rulership circles of such 'aggrieved' nations!
"It evokes pity for the continent as a whole, that such political leadership exists today which, sooner than retire into their gilded holes to reflect, have actually gone to battle on behalf over some mystic entitlement, since such is not sustained by any credentials in democratic and responsible governance. Of the two, the case of our own nation, Nigeria, is obviously the more pathetic.
"This, just to refresh memories, was a candidate who ensured from the beginning that he would break with corporate patronage and thus, indebtedness, and rely largely on the mass contribution of cents and pennies to ensure a mandate of maximum independence. By contrast, behold the permanent indentureship of the Nigerian power base, not merely to the moneyed oligarchy, but to the most corrupt, indeed criminal elements within that disreputable oligarchy.
"Nigeria is a nation that repeatedly blows its chances to stand tall, to present to the world a massively endowed colossus, bestriding the continent with the over-abundant productive genius of its people and the generosity of nature resources.
"What, instead, has been the actuality? A plague of incontinent rulers in relay, some in military uniform, others in civilian clothing, but all clones of one another, united in a commitment to unabashed profligacy, mutually assisted corruption and, to add insult to injury, an obsessive hankering for self-perpetuation, necessitating the cultivation of outright disdain for the elementary right of their citizens to a voice in leadership choice.
"Is this truly a nation that deserves the recognition, much less a gesture of respect, from any democratically elected leadership of the world, and one especially of such unprecedented political significance for the African continent itself?
"A decade ago, needless to say, Ghana would also have been a non-contender. But the continent has witnessed, and remains envious of, the transformation that has taken place in Ghana, an internal process of self-recovery that nearly matches that of the United States in her transition from George Bush to Barrack Obama. Among the attributes of intelligence is the ability to create, or recognize the opportunity for self-renewal.
"Nigerians, at home or residing in the United States during the past decade, have not been slow to observe that the eight previous years in United States governance were uncannily paralleled within Nigeria - eight years of waste, deception, divisiveness and corruption, of advancing bankruptcy, eight years of arrogant subversion of democratic norms .all spearheaded by a man from whom the nation, the continent and the world expected so much, eight years that sent the nation spiraling into a reverse momentum that has earned it the humiliating designation of a 'failed state'.
"Should an incoming product of the repudiation of such a shared past compromise his mandate by a significant visit to the other half, while it remains fixated and unrepentant in its perpetuation of that disreputable past?
"Of course if it were possible for Barrack Obama to visit Nigerians - the people that is - to express his condolences for such an unmerited state of affairs, parley with non-governmental organizations, exchange views with political alternatives, interact with the labour unions, hold talks with the insurgents of the oil-producing Delta region and offer direct succour to the neglected people of a benighted nation, I have no doubt whatsoever that Nigeria would indeed be his first choice. However, such a precedent being impossible - at least in these times - the only programme that remained would have been, at best, a tokenist interaction with the other Nigeria, duly vetted.
"The rest would be to wine and dine, sign some effete agreements and exchange presents with the current symbol of national decay and leadership alienation, a nation whose claim to the status of a giant is upheld only by the gigantesque dimensions of its retrogression since independence, its governance ineptness and the colossal scale of its corruption.
"Obama knows that every other hand he would shake at a state reception is steeped in sheer putrefaction from the sump of robbery, perhaps every third elbow deep in the blood of perceived political threats - across all levels of contestation."
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Nigerians are pathetic. Look at this whole situation. Instead of being proud of Ghana for it's achievements, or seeing what works there and requesting, demanding, or working to see it implimented in Nigeria we have written 400 articles about how nigeria is a horrible place just because Obama chose to go to Ghana out of 52 countries in africa, and not Nigeria.
This is so pathetic. Did the Spainish people cry when Obama went to Italy? Did the Poles throw a fit when Obama went to Russia?
Obama chose to go to Ghana, get over it, and most of all what mature minded human being would care?
Ghana is doing great. Im proud of them as a fellow african and wish to see the like minded set of honest reforms change Nigeria, but im not going to belittle my country because Obama Christ when to Ghana before Nigeria.
He went to Italy before Nigeria too, why not throw a hiss fit about that?
Please THISDAY, go and read this article in the Nigerian Guardian you would know the diffference between a good reporter and this very poor one. This Soyinka's paper is the main news in the Guardian. The Guardian reporter put this article so succintly and very interesting to read. THISDAY, made a mess of this article. THISDAY, you can either train your reporters well or employ more qualified people.
May I also use this to ask Mr Yar Ardua to sit up and let the people of Nigeria start to see changes in their lifes.
Incredible crap from a so-called laureate.
Man, you are naive to believe that Obama is some angel, some great believer in democracy. Sure, all INVADERS advocate democracy for the homeland, and preach democracy that supports their imperial interests abroad; and infiltrate any democratic formation that negates the will of finance capital, and make no mistake about it, poet, your Obama is in bed with US financial vultures; and who does know of the murderous hand of these financial vultures---from the enslavement of Africans to their oil projects in your own country, Nigeria?
You are better off writing in topos mythos, than in hard core, analytical political analysis.
But then again, poets have always been for hire in Africa and elsewhere.
I salute Prof. Soyinka for finding time to write this important article; and at the same time, salute the ruling class in Nigerian for being naive to the clamour of change in an ever changing world. President Obama´s choice is wise. period!
Something about us -- Africans seemn to push us into the path of negativity and backward thinking. Years ago, NELSON MANDELA CALLED FOR AN 'AFRICAN RENAISSANCE.' To this date, there seem to be no sign of an African renaissance taking place. Had we taken the wheel and gotten on the BALL ten years ago, Africa would not be in a position of begging, hoping and allowing foreign 'parasitic' nations to make deals with African nations for resources on ONE SIDE OF THEIR FACE -- WHILE ARMING AND PROMOTING GENOCIDE WITH THE ENEMIES OF AFRICANS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THEIR FACES.
The fact that Obama did not visit Nigeria is of little significance if Nigerians and other Africans recognize that NIGERIA AND THE REST OF WEST AFRICA -- ARE THE FUTURE SUPERPOWER IN THE COMING YEARS.
It is a UNITED 'UNITED STATES OF WEST AFRICA,' strong, powerful, militarily powerful, and with the millions of Nigerians and other Africans of West Africa who contribute to the wealth of other nations -- HELPING TO BUILD A POWERFUL SUPERPOWER IN WEST AFRICA -- THAT WILL UPLIFT AFRICA.
Africans have to look to the past BEFORE THE FIRST FOREIGN INVADERS WHO DESTROYED THE AFRICAN KINGDOMS AND CIVILZATIONS OF WEST AFRICA.
We are very well aware of Ghana, Songhai, Mali, Kanem Bornu, Benin, Oyo, the Yoruba City States and other ancient civilizations of West Africa.
But are we aware that SOMEWHERE IN WEST AFRICA BETWEEN THE CENTRAL SAHARA TO THE BIGHT OF BENIN WAS ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CIVILIZATIONS?
It was the ancient Zingh Empire and it was from the Zingh Empire that the first 'OLMEC' (Mandinga-Shi) civilization found in Mexico, almost 2000 miles accross the Atlantic had its origins.
African scientists years ago agreed that Mexico's 'Olmec' civilization including temple building, pyramid building, the worship of Venus as a 'war Goddess' (in the West Venus is the 'love Goddess), and the presence of over 22 giant collossal heads of basalt rock, with African hairstyle and features unique to people in Ghana/Nigeria -- IS PROOF THAT AFRICANS WERE ONCE A POWERFUL MARITIME CIVILIZATION.
West Africa's history did not begin with slavery. It began in the Sahara with the Zingh Empire over 20,000 years ago -- when much of the Sahra was still wet and fertile.
Today, the idea that ONE HAS TO LOOK TO THEIR ANCIENT RELIGIONS IS TAKING HOLD IN CHINA - just as it has taken hold in Europe. The Chinese do not abandon their history to concentrate on the period when the Mongols ruled China.
West Africa and African in general SHOULD NOT ABANDON THE 20,000 YEARS OF THE GLORIOUS ZINGH EMPIRE and only recognize the Ghana, Mali, Songhai and later civilizations.
African archeologists, scientists and researchers have a job to do and it is by KNOWING THAT HISTORY AND USING IT'S GREATNESS AS A CONDUIT TO A BETTER FUTURE -- THAT IS WHAT WILL HELP AFRICA.
That is exactly what the Chinese are doing today. They do not emphasize the Mongol Occupation as the only history of culture in China. The same goes for Spain, they do not emphasize the Al Mohad occupation of 700 years as the only period of civilization in Spain -- they remember the Roman and Celtic periods as well.
In the case of West Africa, African civilization goes back over 3000 BC, and it is documented ( Zakaria Sitchin, others) that in the year of 3113 B.C., Africans from what is today Benin sailed to Mexico under the leadership of Tjeuti Mez ( Mexico comes from Mez, say some historians).
http://www.raceandhistory.com AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS OF AMERICA BEFORE COLUMBUS 'A History of the African-Olmecs," http://www.authorhouse.com http://www.myspace.com/sexyaabooksculture
THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE
Africa has had about fifteen renaissances (advancement in culture) over the past 20,000 years. One of them was vaguely expressed in a movie called '10,000 BC,' except that the people shown as the Pyramid Builders were not African in appearance.
http://africanblackrenaissance.blogspot.com
However these fifteen renaissances occurred because every time there was cultural improvement -- beginning about 30,000 BC when the Sahara was wet, fertile and thriving -- a period of decline followed.
What led to declines and rebirths and renaissances?
Declines occurred when Africans began to loose faith in thier own power and abilities and began to trust the 'trinkets' of others.
Rebirths occurred when Africans recognized that in order to survive and thrive, we had to rise up and use our natural intelligence to create, produce and expand.
Renaissances occurred when we decided to unite and to IMPROVE ON THE MATERIAL THINGS WE USED. If we used 'mounds' to commemorate our ancestors -- we upgraded to PYRAMIDS. If we built small shrines, we upgraded to temples.
That basic and very important 'MENTALITY' OF MAKING PROGRESS -- is part of the development of the human mind. Humans and other animals want to move forward. No creature simply sits back and shrivles. Even the ant as small and as simple as it looks -- even the bee -- are highly organized and UNITE TO CREATE SOME OF THE WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD.
Why then can't we AFRICANS STUDY OUR HISTORY, RESEARCH WHAT WORKED IN THE PAST (Egypt, Cush, Swahili, Wagadu-Nok, Zingh, Igbo-Ikwu, others) and apply them today.
Yes, we may not like our ancient systems of KINGS AND RULERS -- SO WE IMPROVE THAT SYSTEM. We improve it to be a strong link and a support of modern governing as well as as continuation of the past.
We may not like our own arts and crafts and be tempted to accept the flooding of plastic goods from foreign nations -- but we must REVIVE OUR ANCIENT ARTS AND CRAFTS INDUSTRIES. We may have to develop a 'CLASSIC' period and a revival.
Instead of allowing 'parastic' companies from afar to take African art and textiles and make fake copies to resell -- means must be taken to protect these local and regional contributions.
Instead of allowing the various african alphabets, and African means of communications - like the 'talking drums' and talking harps -- African scientists must organize to make modern use of these gifts.
After all, you watch Chinese tv http://www.CCTV.com.cn and you see PEKING OPERA being revived by the Chinese. You see the Shaolin temples and Kungfu revived, you see the art of making silk, pottery, paintings and all types of arts and crafts revived.
AFRICANS WERE GIVEN THE BLUEPRINT TO DO JUST THAT ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, WHEN THE WORK "Susu and Susunomics," was published http://www.iuniverse.com http://www.myspace.com/sexyaabooksculture
GUESS WHO TOOK THE ADVICE FROM THAT WORK THAT WAS DONE FOR THE BENEFIT OF AFRICANS, AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND BLACK PEOPLE GLOBALLY? The people in China, India and parts of Asia.
WHEN WILL WE APPLY NELSON MANDELA'S DREAM TO BRING ABOUT AN AFRICAN RENAISSANCE??
Or are we going to continue selling Africa to 'parasitic' nations who care nothing about African people in their home nations, but are only after Africa's land, resources and a place to throw their excess populations?
How long are AFRICANS GOING TO SIT AROUND AND ALLOW PARASITIC NATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO GENOCIDE IN PARTS OF AFRICA?
Therefore, the solution to these attacks on Africa is for the UNIFICATION OF WEST AFRICA, THE UNIFICATION OF SADC and the creation of strong, populous and powerful African SUPER POWERS.
Soyinka's reaction is an accurate, but sad testimony to a nation speedily progressing backward to the stone age. Each time I read such articles from such well informed senior citizens, I weep for the over onw hundred million Nigerians who are victims of the mass looting by a few degenerate crooks. It is all the more frustrating because the perpertators are deaf, dumb and blind. They glory in their ill-acquired loot, and feel that every other person with a dissenting voice is either unpatriotic, misguided, or uninformed. This is one country where the leaders have no shame. Whatever happens under their watch, they would not resign. Rather, they receive cheap traditional titles and pay charlatans to sing their praises on the pages of newspapers. What a show of shame.
I don't see any reason why Nigerians should complain about Obama's visit to Ghana.....cos i believed Obama's would surely have his reasons for chosen Ghana not Nigeria or his home town.
So, i think we should stop the complaination and work effectively on the act of selfishness in our country.
This one of the great article that i read about africa lately. It is very honest and represent the state of affaire at this present time in Nigeria. A country with unlimited potential and all the factors neededto be the leaders of the continent. They got a POPULATION(more than 200Millions)which compare to other african state is a big MARKET on it own. They got some of the GREATEST BRAINS of the african continent, and the got an ABOUNDANCE of NATURAL RESOURCES, and they are the most PATRIOTIC people in the african continent. All this put together are the factors that are required for a country to be developped.