The relationship between Nigerian and the United States of America in the last part of the last administration was anything but cordial.
It got so bad that at a point the United States bluntly refused to sell to Nigeria, badly-needed arms with which Nigeria could fight Boko Haram. America did not only refuse the arms to Nigeria , she also frustrated several attempts by the nation to buy such arms from elsewhere in the world. The excuse of America was that there was no guarantee that the Nigerian military would not use such arms to commit human rights abuses. The fact that several thousands of helpless Nigerians, including women and children were being killed by the Boko Haram did not move the Obama government. The government of former President Goodluck Jonathan had to look elsewhere to purchase arms that helped turn the tide in the anti-terrorism was against Boko Haram, shortly before Jonathan left office. In this interview, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma, representing Egor/Ikpoba/Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State, urges that Nigeria must engage America if the nation is to witness the desired rapid development. He specifically advised that as President Muhammadu Buhari jets out to Washington where he will meet top American officials, he should plead with President Barak Obama to help Nigeria in all areas of her national life. Excerpts: What in your opinion should dominate the talks between President Muhammadu Buhari and President Obama in the trip to Washington? If we are serious about developing the Nigerian economy, we must engage America. If we don’t engage America, that means we are not yet serious about development. The issue of going to China, yes Chinese are trying, they are doing very well but what they are bringing to Nigeria is different from what they are taking to America. Most of what we have here are substandard. Talking about quality, we have no quality control. So I am appealing that as we want development in this country , it can be done but we must be ready to engage those who are ready and willing to assist. Obama and Buhari Obama and Buhari America has given so much . They have done so much in helping other nations to develop the world. Today, go to Dubai , 10, 15 years ago Dubai was just a desert. It was America that came to their aid and that is where Nigerians travel to buy properties, send their children to school , leaving Nigerian to lie fallow. It is we Nigerian that will build this country. No other persons will come and build the country for us but first of all we must take the bold steps in the right direction. I haven’t seen anything serious in engaging American companies going into serious relationship because if Americans are going to help you, they will give you the best standard not what we are having from other parts of the world currently. Look at some of the infrastructure that we have. What the military built many years before I was born, go and see, if you try to put a nail through the wall, it can’t go through. What in your opinion went wrong with the cordial relationship between Nigeria and America? America Promised help to Nigeria on Chibok girls but we haven’t seen anything as much as the public knows. What we are supposed to do is to show that we are really a serious minded people. This issue of corruption is one of the greatest bone of contention. That is the reason why we are on trial because so much has been given in terms of grants aids that have come into this country. Unfortunately, they always go into voicemail. It goes to thin air; it goes to people’s pocket. Until we realize that it only we Nigerians that can make it happen in our country. We must all put Nigeria first . if you don’t value what you have, other people will help you devalue it. If you love Nigeria, if you value Nigeria, you must care, you must guide it jealously so that you see that Nigeria moves forward, regardless if political affiliations we must build Nigeria together. So it is my advice and appeal to the government of the day, that if we go to America, yes Mr. President is going to visit the United States, he should do whatever it talks to tell Mr. President that he needs help. He needs help in all its ramifications in building this country. It can happen. It is possible. It is doable. It is only when we are really serious. Why do we go to other countries, because people want to put money into their pockets by taking substandard equipment and paying less and at the end of the day, we are paying more for it and we are undoing ourselves. Some have alluded to the disagreement over the same-sex marriage as the factor that has strained the Nigeria-US relations. To be honest with you, I don’t see that as a factor. What is important here is that over the years, America has given so much to Nigeria and they want to see that whatever they are given is used for the purpose for which it was given. They have information at their disposals that most of the help they are giving to us, the masses have not been able to benefit from it. The Nigerian public is yet to see those good things that others like Britain, Germany and others have also given to Nigeria. But nobody talks about it so we are our own problem. The gay issue, for me, you can’t tell me how to run my house, my private living room . whatever you do in your private living room is your private business. I am happily married. Those who choose to do otherwise that is between them and God. Iam not hear to judge, castigate or condemn anyone. Do you have same sex situation in Dubai? Does Dubai have same sex marriage ? No. Did America help to develop Dubai? Yes. That is not the rationale behind this issue. The bone of contention is not about whether you are gay or no gay. What is important is for us to develop Nigeria so that the ordinary citizen can benefit for them to be part of the government of the day; see dividends of democracy, no rhetoric about it. How can the nation benefit from the Nigerian Congressional Caucus of as an official member of the Congressional Member Organisation? The Nigerian Caucus is a bipartisan caucus in the congress dedicated to advancing friendship, understanding and cooperation between the United states and Nigeria. The caucus spearheads pro-Nigerian initiatives and legislative efforts in all areas including improving security and human rights. The purpose of the caucus is to educate Members of Congress about Nigeria and Nigerian-Americans on critical issues impacting human rights, terrorism, economic and business development as well as, protect the character and ensure a realistic portrayal of Nigeria and Nigerian-Americans in the media and in Congress. With the recent emergence of the dangerous terrorist group Boko Haram and the deaths and kidnappings happening in Northern Nigeria, it is important to engage and cultivate Members of Congress on Nigerian issues.
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