Donald Trump in 2018 referred to Haiti and African nations as "shithole countries" during a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators at the White House.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised the Nigerian government to work with United States President-elect Donald Trump, to show him that the most populous black nation is not entirely a shithole country.
Donald Trump in 2018 referred to Haiti and African nations as "shithole countries" during a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators at the White House.
Trump's comments were first reported by The Washington Post, which said the nations referred to by Trump also included El Salvador.
However, Obasanjo while speaking on Arise TV Morning Show on Tuesday, said Nigeria needs to find a way to let Trump know that what he calls shithole is not entirely shithole, and that there are some decent houses in Africa.
He said, "Whether anybody likes it or not, the American people have decided that Trump will be their leader, and Trump being American people's leader, will lead America for the next four years.
“He will be the leader of the world, because America is the greatest country in the world, for now.
"It may change in a few years’ time, maybe China will take over and become the largest economy. Maybe China would surpass America in technology, maybe in military power. But as of today, America is that country, and we cannot say we have nothing to do with Trump. Trump is here and will be there from the 20th of January for the next four years.
"We have to find a way of letting Trump know that what he calls shit house is not entirely shithole, that there are some decent houses in Africa, and we have to make him understand that. I believe that there will be policymakers around him that we can reach and we can also talk to.
"America has enlightened interest in Africa, we should make that known to Trump and to say, look, this is your interest and don't ignore it, we are ready to work with you. Give us our respect and dignity that is due to us.
"Respect our citizens that are in your country, and let us work together for a peaceful world that is secure, a world that is stable, and a world where prosperity will be shared and where security will be common. But I believe that Trump will understand.”