First, I am happy that some of my concerns were attended to regarding a certain few posters.

I strongly believe that as much as Nigeria has not lived up to it's position in Africa, the whole world sees Nigeria as central to Africa's way forward. As 1 in 4 Africans is Nigerian and 1 in 6 people of African descent is Nigerian, we are the default voice of the African world. Blessed with natural resources, we are well equipped with the potential to develop the muscle to be a voice of change in the African world, and to pull up our brothers, while advocating their cause against external exploitation, and internal conflict. This power of Nigeria is something that drives fear and excitement at the same time, depending on where you stand in terms of your interests in Africa. The question is not whether Nigeria will take the lead in moving Africa forward. The question is when Nigeria takes the lead, will our world view be strongly African centered, or strongly Western friendly and continuing colonial order in Africa.

Those who watch development in strategic third world regions like Africa, are not sitting back. Case in point we have had our forums infiltrated by elements who disguise as Nigerians, but seem to express views that go beyond the lines of critical Nigerians and venture into the realms of pro-Outsider and anti-Nigerian integrity.

The views expressed by these elements, are to shape a pro-Western view within Nigeria, that keeps our colonial mentality and our flirtation with the ways of the colonialists. We continue a benevolent view of Colonialists, while we promote a malevolent view of ourselves. Yet, to solve our problems, it has to be the opposite. We need to believe in our own benevolent nature and shun all views of our malevolent nature that we inherited from Colonialist propaganda. There is no reason why Nigeria cannot develop as fast as China and Japan. But note that also includes the fact that China and Japan still strongly maintain their culture. We are still consumed in the eternal debate on whether our own culture is a culture of cannibalists, barbarians and murderers talk less of incorporating it into any economic development we have.

What we need is an awakening to looking for solutions within ourselves. Or history of communalism, and appreciation for each other that we had back in the pre-colonial days, is what maintained African societies without the need of police back in those days. If only we thought of ourselves more highly, we will dig back for those solutions. We need to get back to appreciating the best of ourselves, and be watchful of those who continue to work to distract us from discovering our path to development on our own terms, because it runs counter to their interests.

Thank you.