AS THE PRESIDENT RETURNS FROM AMERICA

AS THE PRESIDENT RETURNS FROM AMERICA

I read a piece three weeks back wherein it was expressed as a good omen the invitation extended to acting President Jonathan by US President Obama. The piece expressed that Jonathan should draw good views and visions from the visit. Few days before Jonathan departed for the journey, some anti-Jonathan elements organized a supposedly news item aimed at disparaging the mission; insinuated that Jonathan was not among the heads of governments that would meet with Obama during the visit. They tried to disseminate falsehood.

Now the visit has come and gone. Jonathan did not only get assurances from USA but also bolstered our good relationship with that country. He also succeeded in getting Nigeria out of the terrorist ‘watch-list’ that was slammed at us after the scandalous misadventure of Abdul Mutallab junior.

I agree with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Henry Ajumogobia, who sated on their arrival back to Nigeria, that the journey was very successful and fruitful. One thing noticed was that the acting President did not arrive in the same Presidential aircraft with the governors that were in his entourage – namely, Amaechi of Rivers, Oshionmole of Edo and Ohakim of Imo (This Day 16/4/10). The Compass newspaper of 14/04/10 gave the impression that Akpabio of Akwa Ibom was among the entourage; a check at the Presidency revealed that he was not. Akpabio was in USA on a previously arranged business trip for his State; he merely strolled into the venue where Jonathan was addressing a group. He was still in USA when his number one driver who he knick-named "Decree four" was trailed from Akwa Ibom and kidnapped in Abia.

Now that the acting President Jonathan has returned from USA, he should get his acts together and move the country forward.

Olufemi Adisa, Akiolu Crescent, Ring Road, IBADAN.