Folks, this meeting was formidable. If there's something that I took home with I think it's democracy is whole lot better than a military rule in any guise, waaay better than any monarchial system of government. At least in a democratic setting one is allowed to say his mind. And of course, I think that was what the representative of the Nigerian Government demonstrated at the meeting in Greater LA in Culver City. Unlike the New York's meeting where troublemakers tried disrupting the meeting, attendees in Greater LA Area respected themselves.
Everyone who attended was angry with the situation back home, but at the end of the day when every input by every attendee was acknowledged and addressed, folks seemed happy and look forward to a changed Nigeria while trusting the regime of President GoodLuck Jonathan to deliver on his promises. Folks, the minister was impressive with her level of diplomacy, and Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe was right on hand to assist her with the Eklarungen.
One after the other Nigerians came expressing their anger on the present conditions. Everyone had the opportunity to say something. Attendees were more concerned with Boko Haram and Security, and corruption.
After much have been said on the area of security and Boko Haram, I recognised there was no need to ask any question on those areas, I decided to put forward one of my issues. The issue of Affirmative Action and getting Nigerian Women involved in politics. Because Nigerians talk about marginalization without talking about that Nigeria women. Nigeria women makes up almost the half of the Nigerian demographics, and still, they are marginalised in politics and public affairs. Why? Either that the leaders don't care about the womenfolks, or simply none seems to listen about the outcry against the discrimination against women in different spheres of the Nigerian life...to be continued
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One thing to be concerned about in the sentiments that you share is the possibility that the very corrupt Nigerian government might take advantage of women in this very context. Let me explain: I don't understand why they are sending people to the US to speak to Nigerians. It seems quite dubious to me. Why are they trying to influence our perception with these delegates? Why don't they leave it up to us to assess the situation of the country from here and make up our own minds. We can read the news and/or hear from our relatives back home. Do they think that we are not capable of seeing through all the cloud? What other country sends delegates to address their citizens living abroad about a local problem?? The saddest part is that they have resorted to using women for this sort of propaganda. If they (the Nigerian government) are confident that things will get better in Nigeria, they do not need to send any one abroad to "explain" why they are doing what they are doing.
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