Former U.S. Ambassador Princeton N. Lyman Speaks at Achebe Colloquium

[Omolofa88]

This is hard to hear, hard indeed!!! But it is true on every level. Leaders and those aspire to be leaders need to listen to this and maybe, just maybe it will reach and deal with the hardness of thier hearts.

Nigeria has started to become irrelevant - just look at Obama's snub by going across to Ghana instead of Nigeria. When will we wake up????

[blesyworld]

What point did this man just make? he isnt saying anything new that hasn't been said before. Nigerians do not talk about themselves, other countries do because they see something in d individuals that always makes them shine. I wonder if any other country in d world could have survived such corruption like Nigeria. Who cares about Obama visiting or not? The white countries were d ruination of Africa. Nigeria will find its feet one day and it will be a shock to everyone. They shd bring solutions!

[layitube]

I have tirelessly argued along these lines with friends and family over the years. My experiences travelling around the West Coast of Africa over a decade ago shaped my views.

A big part of our problem is that we do not love ourselves. Mr rich oppresses the Mr Poor, and Mr Poor in turn praise Mr Rich, forgetting that the same money, which public servant freely loots & selectively distributes, belong to the people anyway. How wicked a man is that condemns another to beg for his own food?

[layitube]

Nigeria's strength does not come from her past endeavours, nor does it come from her faded glory. Her strength lies in her people and that air of audaciousness that makes us believe that nothing is impossible. That is what makes Nigeria so unique, and irrespective of how Nigeria came to be, we have that union to thank for it.

We do not accept defeat, but this may also be our downfall.

[layitube]

We ignore the obvious even when the roof is caving in over our heads. We try and blame others for our own mistakes. No one can help Nigeria except Nigerians and Africa would be better for it. Humility is a good place to start, and love is all we need. We need to humble ourselves and accept that we've taken the wrong turn, and love our neighbours knowing that this is the same as loving ourselves.

[geligurl]

this is a message to our leaders. foolish nigerian leaders. even with the money they steal, if they use it to contribute, that would be something good. but they carry the money and put in their bank accounts. pple like babangida. babangida is worth billions of pounds and dollars .. i said billions not millions, take note. the rulers are the ones who steal all free. while the ordinary man is left there to rot and die. God go punish all those people wey dey put us through this living hell mehn.

[Biafrans7]

"Nigeria is deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines. More than 13,000 people have died in religious and ethnic clashes since the end of military rule in 1999." ---- Corinne Dufka, Human Rights Watch. Guardian Newspapers. Thursday January 21, 2010.

[tomiwa97]

That is the reality. Nigeria, with all its resources, both human and material, is not relevant to anybody else. Since we have failed to harness all our potentials, wwe are always living in self-delusion.

[justwanna007]

well

[funkymamadee11]

It in incredibly how egocentric we are based on artificial boundaries carved by people who did not have our interest at heart. Nigerians often speak in a disparaging manner of every other African country.

We are not irrelevant but we do need to know that we are in no way the most relevant in Africa or elsewhere.

[RealAFRO]

Truth Hurts, like the honourable ambassador puts it. to the anger of the crooks in Nigerian inept government. Nigeria has never been considered relevant! and is not even making effort to be that.

A country is one, which the leaders never finish a sentence without mentioning the interest of their people first before any other thing.

But how many times do we hear the fools in Nigerian power mention the Nigerian people they claim to be serving, not to talk of their interest coming first

[RealAFRO]

The Biafrans will surely survive, even with out having a one 'man power'. Remember the Igbos are the only group that have practices true democracy from the grass root. Unfortunately, the effect of civil war made it look like they are no longer capable. But , I have no doubt they will get back to their root, to overtake Singapore and Dubai as soon as they gain their independence from UK backed Nigeria terrorist state.

That is the main fear of those supporting the DEAD project called Nigeria!!

[schokogold]

True talk!...but the likes of Kanu ,Uba and Soludo must go with Nigeria

[RealAFRO]

What is killing ordinary Nigerians and even the 'uninformed educated' ones, is lack of information. Anyone who follow different news source both private like AIT, AL Jazeera,etc or the government owned like NTA, BBC, CNN to some extent, be better informed of the hopeless state of Nigerian failed project. However, Nigerians are champions at praise singing, and deceiving themselves that they are "Great Nation, Good People", Ok good people to some extent, especially to others, not themselves.

[moscolah]

ok how about if that flight blew up on that chrismas day? america by now bombing nigeria left right and center they will come from air sea and land nigeria will be like iraq nigerians still talk cus no life was lost that one luck they have, but eyes is on norhtern nigeria, they hav been kill BIAFRANS for 50 yrs now they have taking there anger and hate for no reason to inernational level thats life for everybody ur hatered and wickedness will definately give you a taste of ur own medicine..

[RealAFRO]

The event of the Farouk the failed bomber might be a blessing in disguise for the world to turn their searchlight on the terrorism that has been on going in Nigeria. Whereby the terrorists in the North massacre at will the overbearing people of the East, whom they still see in that failed Nigeria project as their subjects not as fellow citizens.

Thank God that this attempt took place and Nigeria placed where it belongs, as country that sponsored terrorist internally and now externally!

[uhuruist]

Mind you Nigeria dont sponsor terrorism, mind what you write. the country is in a terrible state we all know this. This is not about muslems or christian. Why is the west, east and south not also developed?? Is it because we have more muslems there? Or because we are all failing!!

[blesyworld]

@RealAFRO are you alright? How dare u call Nigerians terrorist. The guy who did it does not even live in Nigeria (all his life). Y is it that all d white countries are only interested in killing whts left of Nigerian's image? we are not terrorist, not everyone in Nigeria is a scammer so pls watch ur mouth. Thank U.

[raylawal]

He says "we should stop talking about what a great country it is" - must say I dont think I've ever heard anyone say that about 9ja. Its easy to state the problem, and would have preferred 9mins of developing a solution. Plus he's also chosen a great time to come out and say this...trust me there is serious concern about 9ja, and there has been for about 60 years - We need solutioners!!

[moscolah]

nigerian should now have a little bit shame on themselve and let biafra be,and have there own country peace...........

[schokogold]

who will the lead Biafra?..kanu,Uba or Soludo?...lol

[schokogold]

who will then lead Biafra?..Nnamani,Kalu,Soludo,U­ba,Obi or Ngige?..lol

[moscolah]

@schokogold they are nigeria govt not biafra case of obi he is not a bad governor he try for anambra poeple so does names you call are not going to work for biafran poeple BIAFRA CARES FOR THERE POEPLE we want to bring peace in our land and our kids future will be brighter, and all the politicians that work for nigeria will never smell that power,cus nigerian is a bad name and a cursed name for a long time so GOD will deliver us from these pain and sorrow biafrans hav been going through for yrs

[schokogold]

I very much agree with you too and pray we(all parts of "nigeria)"get deliverance one day...a friend actually told me Obi is good and sincere?..but he never cleared the case of 250 million naira found on his assistant on a Sunday!?so much cash on a SUNDAY???

Will the likes of Okey Ndibe,Achebe,Anyaoku and other well intentioned "Biafrans" ever get to the goverment house with the likes of the Uba brothers and Soludo still alive?lol

The Rawlings solution seem to be the most appropriate abi?..lol

[moscolah]

@schokogold but comaper it to bode goerge thats chicken change as i said peter obi is not that bad,but needed to do more for his poeple so his still working for nigeria for now....

[schokogold]

lol!..my brother,small thief no dey o!..i would rather you compare him to fashola sice both are serving governors!!!!!i no fit laugh

[Topetayo]

The question is how do we change this????... We need our reputation oO.. I'm ashamed to be called a Nigerian..

[injustice2mankind]

Straight shooter!

[RealAFRO]

Who needs to travel to US or UK if those fools in Nigerian government were a little bit wise enough to make Nigeria a habitable place? No! they chose to loot and stash them away in those countries because they believe in them and there stability and the honesty of their political class, but honestly does not have any atom of believe or trust in the failed Nigerian project, yet in other to loot in peace, they preach what they know is false, and expect the world to believe them.

[RealAFRO]

@ibistanley: People like you even when you claim to have travelled out of the God forsaken place called Nigeria, never seem to learn a thing or two. Now why are you not a student in Nigeria? Why don't you see the many fundamental things that are working in US and demand that the Nigerian rogue governments put those basic things in place, rather than them looting them and behaving like termite gods. With people like you Nigeria government will continue to think they are doing good! Repent!

[eloholiz]

This is proper true talk!! we are talking strategic relevance here! soooo true!

[RealAFRO]

Truth hurts especially to the so-called one Nigerian fools! This man loves Nigerian people to be this blunt and we should be grateful, but not in the ears of the criminal Nigerian inept government.

Nigeria is a British dead symbol and never a Nation, all their keeping peace in other African nations are simply a hypocritical moves by subsequent governments that use such cover to loot in pretense to being 'big brother', Charity begins at home! No light, water, road, hospital, Fuel.. etc.

[ibistanley]

The fact that Obama did not visit Nigeria does not make us irrelevant. Nigerians are relevant to the world. As a student I have seen, observed, and understood that most Nigerian students in the US are doing well and are always top of their games. What am saying here is that Nigerians remains the giant of African.

Americans have their serious problems too; they should think of how to fix their's. I doubt if they can help us fix ours. I know that there will be positive change soon.

[danoafrica]

This isn't an issue of trying to hype America or Obama. The fact still remains that Nigeria in not growing in any way and we should all be concerned.

Its just so painful to imagine Nigeria to be 100years behind civilization n technology.

If u do not believe me just look around Europe not to talk of China n u r concerned about America's feeling big.

So far Nigeria has failed as a Nation. am sorry to say

[Blade4infinity]

THIS IS SOO..... TRUE

[Hmonez]

The Achebe's colloquium has secretly opened many cans of worms! Our leaders have really failed us in this country,if we as a people,country and nation can say no to godfatherism i think it will a long way to help us.We'v seen situations where governors,senators,ministers and the list goes on are being convicted for crimes and they all hide under the wings of their godfather.Where do we go from here? The truth is,is Nigeria still the giant of Africa???

[cre8ive9ja]

Lymans straight talk suggests he mustve been thoroughly frustrated during his tenure in Nigeria. Nigeria came to a fork in the road in 1979 and opted to go the path of NPN which evolved into generational unmitigated looting of the country, and eventually into PDP and crude elimination of opposition and domination of the intellect-bereft.

Nigeria will not disintegrate and cannot continue this way for ever. The longer Nigerias Jerry Rawlings takes in coming the messier it will be.

[ayomikel]

this is not a personal vendatta against nigeria but a wake up call,we shouldnt just sit back and let nigeria die because afterall other nations are dieing.we are are great nation with great minds and a handful of selfish people with and at the corridors of power,the sooner we wake up and change radically,the better for all of us!

[chanchaga]

The truth has been highlighted about the current state of Nigeria in this video but I am sure the political class will not want to acknowledge it. As we stand, the world only recognises countries that are relevant. Nigeria is fast becoming irrelevant economically, culturally, technologically and in terms of its resources. That man has hit the nail on the head. Look at our universities and hospitals for example. Other infrastructures are fast declining. Obama did not go to Nigeria. It says a lot.

[kendiii03]

by the way, I Am Nigerian.

[kendiii03]

you on the other hand might get hit by a bus tomoro and who would know or care? Certainly not nigerians.

The mighty do fall so while america continues to contemplatwe the irrelevance of other nations it should also contemplate the fall of its own.

[kendiii03]

i wish u had said nigerias importance to the world not just america cos by doing so u overwemphasize americas importance. Obama ddnt go to nigeria cos obama can do whatever he wants. It doesnt make nigeria any less valuable. Obama is just a man and will die just a man while nigeria will continue to grow.