The Igbo have a saying – popularised by
the acclaimed novelist, Chinua Achebe – that he who brings home
ant-infested faggots should not complain if he is visited by lizards.
That proverb is apt in describing the type of treatment Nigeria receives
from the Western world, led by the United States of America.
Last year, President Barack Obama made
his second “ward round” to Africa. Again, he excluded Nigeria from his
“patients’ list.” The official excuse was that Nigeria’s democracy was
not commendable. Also, since President Goodluck Jonathan signed the
anti-gay bill into law early this year, the Western world, led by the
US, has not allowed us to drink water and drop the cup, as the saying
goes. Presidential visits have been allegedly cancelled; threats of
cancellation of aids have been issued; patronising and condescending
comments have been directed at us.
