Confirmation has come that President Muhammmadu Buhari will be going to America this month. This going to America should not only be different from that of the African prince portrayed by Eddie Murphy, it should be different from that which marked both the beginning of the Yar’Adua and Jonathan presidencies. This going to America for an ailing nation of great potential must be a concrete effort at forging partnerships in pursuit of the great goal of the Great Escape from misery for the biggest concentration of the people of Africa descent.

Going to America has always been a matter laced with Irony. As a young youth corps member reporting for the Newbreed newsmagazine some 38 years ago, I wrote a story that pointed to Army Intellectual, Olusegun Obasanjo, criticising African leaders journeying to America. As head of state then, Obasanjo had evidently forgotten his old quips, and was preparing for a journey to America.

I have never thought of going to America a problem. The mindset of “America their America” offered by one of our literary giants was not my own frame. What my concern always was and remains the issue for this visit, is, how to go beyond ceremonials and photo opps to handshakes that produce mutually beneficial outcomes. For the US and Nigeria this has to include in today’s context a boosting of capacity for security and economic advancement in Nigeria and trade opportunities with new markets for American products where there is comparative advantage that does not depress prospects for sustainable development in a country of prospects.

With security problems in Nigeria’s North-East threatening efforts to reduce the scourge of poverty, disease, and a brutish state of nature, a huge infrastructure deficit, financing gaps that have left even salaries unpaid for months, partnerships with foreign powers need be obsessively focused on relationships that can help bridge gaps and uplift the Nigerian condition.

In this regard, I am persuaded that with we, as Nigeria, should unveil a clear national strategy anchored on latent comparative advantage based on select factor endowments in which value chains in which we are quite competitive are developed into global markets. With the Chinese understanding of the benefits of industrial policy in building such values chains, we should not be shy to do infrastructure deals around industrial parks with them. In the same way, opportunities for partnerships with the South Koreans, Japanese and with the Australians in mining and road infrastructure should not be allowed to slip by.

With the Americans, so much can be done with power, services, technology and education. We need to expand our fast growing education and health sectors. With so many Nigerians of the Diaspora active in the US in these areas, the trip should be used to build bridges. We just saw reports of a meeting of Nigerian physicians in the US which took place in Orlando Florida. We should tag into that to be a medical tourism hub. - See more at: http://www.exlinklodge.com/2015/07/now-that-gen-buhari-is-going-to-america.html#sthash.TXbrFGGP.dpuf

cc lalasticlala and ishilove my people need to hear this brilliant politician and his eloquence.

Another story and presentations

Ok

I starting to regret this buhari administration

Front page material.

Cutehector:
I starting to regret this buhari administration

Did you vote for him??

Nothing special to expect, na d normal tins...d visit may not even change anytin

Tallesty1:
Did you vote for him??

yes..

For the US and Nigeria this has to include in today’s context a boosting of capacity for security and economic advancement in Nigeria and trade opportunities with new markets for American products where there is comparative advantage that does not depress prospects for sustainable development in a country of prospects.

U've summarised it all, nice one

Following

Cutehector:
yes..

Then you owe Nigerians an apology

^^Regret what na? Ok be specific and mention what he hs not done well so far; what you think he should have done them and finally tell us what you would have done differently if you were President at this moment in time.

Tallesty1:
Then you owe Nigerians an apology

Apology for dumping incompetence and misrule or what

Tallesty1:
Then you owe Nigerians an apology

lol

Ok

fashoo2010:
Nothing special to expect, na d normal tins...d visit may not even change anytin

His frequet trips to America may not be what we are thinking.It might be health issues.

azimibraun:
^^Regret what na? Ok be specific and mention what he hs not done well so far; why think he should have done them and finally tell us what you would have done differently if you were President at this moment in time.

I don't know oo,i mean he has'nt spent up to 2 months for God sake

Very serious and prosperous Economies go to America let alone Nigeria. The United State worked very hard with a lot of sacrifices to get to the position it occupies today nd you think she should not get her due? Do you know what it means to turn your colonial master into your 2IC? Ask Britain. Shun America at your own peril.

hopefully, he would be arrested for defiling Aisha at the age of 9 and impregnating her when she was just 12years. that is a serious crime in the US. Radio Biafra is working with some human rights organisation/lawyers to get him arrested and charged to court.. so many lawmakers in the US have been informed about this

Some of us are just trying hard to put the past behind us and move on. Would you guys have been saying all of these to Mr Buhari if he had become President right after OBJ or Late Mr Yaradua? We all know the state of the country he inherited and we all had our eyes and ears open when the nation was plunged into this messy state. It's not even 9months yet and experts say Nigeria needs a rebirth. Na 2 months baby dey take mature inside womb? Buhari is pregnant with a new Nigeria. From 9 months upward I can begin to listen to critics of his pregnancy... sorry administration. besides we gave a 4yrs Pregnancy for that matter.

marriage proposal from the obamas

We can only expect him to be in Washington and call it Alaska![color=#990000][/color]

I think granpa Buhari will be going there for another tourism with many pishures to take.

Hope they won't carry him with keke napep again...

nigerdeltaaa:
hopefully, he would be arrested for defiling Aisha at the age of 9 and impregnating her when she was just 12years. that is a serious crime in the US. Radio Biafra is working with some human rights organisation/lawyers to get him arrested and charged to court.. so many lawmakers in the US have been informed about this

lol no kill me with laff