It is unfortunate that in an interconnected world like ours, some persons still treat Nigerians with the mentality of the last century. Even when the government has taken clear-cut decisions to rebrand our image abroad, some citizens of other countries still judge us by what we are not. In a century where an earthquake in Haiti attracts the sympathy and support of a man in Nigeria, where Hurricane Sandy in America attracts global sympathy and support, some persons are still viewing Nigerians with the lens of yesterday as if there is any country that is a safe haven!
It is unfortunate that in an interconnected world like ours, some persons still treat Nigerians with the mentality of the last century. Even when the government has taken clear-cut decisions to rebrand our image abroad, some citizens of other countries still judge us by what we are not. In a century where an earthquake in Haiti attracts the sympathy and support of a man in Nigeria, where Hurricane Sandy in America attracts global sympathy and support, some persons are still viewing Nigerians with the lens of yesterday as if there is any country that is a safe haven! Was is not President Obama who told his African audience some years ago, that he does not see an Africa that is disconnected from the world, but he sees an Africa that is a fundamental member of our interconnected world? But, sometimes the reverse has always been the case!
Nigeria is a sovereign nation like any other country with good people and bad people! Its citizens are hardworking people who show the best of affections to foreigners than their fellow compatriots. But, it is regretful that this gesture is not always reciprocated by the greatest beneficiaries, rather, they treat us like animals in the bush while we treat them like human beings. Hence, it is understandable why Jonathan’s Government decided to change our Foreign Policy from “Big brother” to “Economic diplomacy and reciprocity”. This new policy was applied last year when a row between Nigeria and South Africa ensued over yellow fever vaccination. Unlike in the past where such action goes unanswered, the Federal Government responded appropriately.
However, our position and size as the largest country in Africa and as the most populous black nation in the world is not in question, but what is in question is how businesses and big corporations are not utilizing such opportunities to increase their earnings and equally develop business opportunities that suit the environment. In fact, what is the rationale behind the action of “PayPal”, an e-commerce business organization that allows payments to be made online and equally the transfer of money through the internet, denying Nigerians the opportunity of using their services? This is even more worrisome that countries like Kenya, Benin Republic and other countries in the continent are allowed to use the service, whereas Nigerians are barred from using the service. In the same vein, there are some foreign companies that do not accept credit cards issued by Nigerian Banks, even when our banks work closely with companies like Master Card and Visa Card to issue these credit cards to their customers. In a highly globalised world, where business activities have gone online, some companies are still discriminating against Nigerians. Do we need a Doha round of trade talks to start participating fully in the global economy without further discriminations?
Recently, authorities in Ghana descended on Nigerians doing legitimate business in the country. They said the reason for such action was simply because their law does not allow foreigners to engage in retail businesses. That retail business in the country is exclusively reserved for Ghanaians. Even when some of the ECOWAS Treaties says: “The liberalization of trade by the abolition, among member states, of customs duties levied on imports and exports, and the abolition among member states, of non tariff barriers in order to establish a free trade area at the community level”. “The removal, between member states, of obstacle to free movement of persons, goods, service and capital, and to right of residence and establishment” shall be among its objectives, the Ghanaian authorities are acting to the contrary. Is it because they are Nigerians?
What if it was the American Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the world’s largest retail company, would they go and close their shops and ask them to leave their country the way they did to Nigerians? This un-African treatment smack of “Ubuntu” against Nigerians must stop, because ECOWAS cannot be looking up to Nigeria to paying the sacrifice of blood and money so as to maintain and promote peace and security in the region, while her citizens are been denied the right and privilege to reside and do legitimate business in any parts of the region.
Game theory is a popular parlance in the diplomatic circles, but Nigeria has not been applying it because we believe that, as the richest and the most powerful country in West Africa, insecurity any where is insecurity everywhere in the sub-region and that is why we are strongly committed to promoting peace, security and the universal brotherhood of man.
Finally, while I commend the Federal Government for reviewing our Foreign Policy which is gradually restoring our image and dignity in the comity of nations, the government should also do more until Nigerians are accorded the best respect and treatments they deserve anywhere in the world.
Comrade Edwin Ekene is the National President of Young Nigerians for Change.
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No. 29 Ben Mbamalu Crescent, Achara Layout, Enugu State.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
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