Nigeria has been playing host to the US Secretary of States - Hillary Clinton since August 11, 2009 at 8:45 pm when she touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. Every other thing that went amidst in the course of her visit forms part of our history.
Meanwhile, criticism trailed what some Nigerians have described as a snob or diplomatic slight on the part of Mrs. Clinton, who was said to have boycott the executive banquet set for her at the Presidential Villa - Aso Rock, Abuja. Indeed many Nigerians are displeased with the US Secretary of States action. Antagonists or international diplomacy critics, you may say are at work. But trust Nigerians and their diversity in all matters, especially in opinions and views about issues like the one involving Hillary Clinton.
First, media reports had it Wednesday morning of August 12, 2009 that the Speaker of the National Assembly - Honorable Dimeji Bankole and other top Nigerian officials condemned the way and manner the US Embassy arranged the Secretary of States' visit and her travel itinerary. There were also threats of boycott and some grumblings from government quarters over the dinner/banquet boycott and the private security arrangement.
Now the question some Nigerians are asking is: how does anyone expect someone on a long trip arriving late to go for one dinner or banquet instead of going to take a good night rest, in order to face the following morning assignment with a well refreshed mind? While some are complaining about the absence of top government officials at the airport to welcome her on arrival, others complained about her failure to make at a stop over at the Presidential Villa. Yet, they're some who are saying they have issues with the heavy presence of US Security Officers guiding her as against that of the Nigerian government.
So many issues you may say; but let's examine them one after, another. First the unceremonial welcome of Mrs. Clinton who is making a second visit to Nigeria, beginning with the one she made when she was the First Lady of the United States of America and this second time. It was reported on the African Independent Television (AIT) that only the Nigerian High Commissioner to the US and a representative of the Minister of Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs were on ground to welcome her. This development actually sends some heart warming message to issues the needed to be resolved between the two countries.
Again the issue of security was another one that attracted so much of public comments. While some were saying that the US Embassy or government improvision of security details for her Secretary of State goes to tell what security lapses exist in our dear country Nigeria. And then the issues of banquet has equally raised some moral question as to why a guests should be given an impression that all is well about everything in Nigeria; when the whole world is aware that majority of Nigerians are hungry in the streets.
In fact there are issues which Special August visitors like Mrs. Clinton need to help us talk over with our government. For instance, issues that bothers on security, violence and other chronic political matters. Only four days ago, two Local Government Chairmen were kidnapped in Kogi State for a ransom of N60 million before they were freed. Also the incessant violence and spate of killings are among issues that countries like America that doesn't toil with the lives her ordinary citizens would not even attempt with a senior citizen like Hillary Clinton.
Already, Mrs. Clinton has met with Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Nigeria's Foreign Affirs Minister...later in the day, she'll be meeting President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua. Nigerians look forward to her confronting the CEO of Nigeria (President Yar' Adua) with issues like those of Fuel Importation, Corruption and Political crisis, which we heard from the grapevine that she was going to address squarely with the authorities.
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