Comments on: Obama in Africa: Nigeria’s Envy

By: Omotaylor

Omotaylor — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:27:39 +0000

To “Annoy”, I am going those good places with you sire. We will all work hard to make Nigeria a better place but the truth that stares us in the face is just what it is, and to make things better, let us recognise our problems with a view to solving them. Have a lovely day sire. Peace

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:58:23 +0000

To Anony – I get your point on the name issue. No qualms.

What you’ve failed to understand, however, is fact that the writeup is the author’s opinion, and all you need to do is respond to that, and that only. There is absolutely NO NEED to be abusive just because readers not in agreement.

Yes, this is the AFRICANLOFT and there are diverse opinions here, but we all need to be respectful, even when in disagreement! And you’re not helping to make that happen, by your comments, sir!

By: Anony

Anony — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:46:49 +0000

To Tony. Of what use is a name on the internet? Even if I post a name of what use is it to you? You can never tell if that’s my real name of not. I don’t even know if Tony is your real name or just a name you decided to use. Anybody on this site could use the same name. Everybody online is anonymous even you, so dont get smart with me. Tell me of what use is a name posted on a webpage when you cannot verify the user’s identity? hence my reference to this fact is the name Anony (Anonymous). My use of Anony is an art to point out a simple truth not cowardice. It is the message that is important! And I said what I said because I was irritated that the author, being of sound mind, selfishly wrote and pasted an article with the intention of stirring up trouble. Just revisit the title “Nigeria’s ENVY” like all nigerian wants to be blessed by Obama’s presence. Is Obama’s presence is some kind of divine visitation? the author’s tone implies that he/she thinks nigerians’ do not have the desire to end corruption. The will is there, it is just that there are powers in high places resisting change. He/she needs to shift his tone from criticizing government and ridiculing nigerians to encouraging good nigerian citizens to fight on against a corrupt regime. I am against this article because it is the same old unintelligent method journalists use to attract attention. His title and tone is just another invitation for africans from different nationalities to talk each other down. Pit them against each other. Instead of “Nigeria’s Envy” why not “Unspoken Message Obama Sends to Corrupt Regime in Nigeria (and other corrupt regimes in Africa)”. Afterall isnt this the africanloft? shouldnt this be a place where we africans should share and help lift each other up? With articles like these, the site will soon turn into a battle ground where africans come to criticize and talk each other down. That’s why (and still is) I was so critical and unforgiving to the author. And I won’t apologize for it.

TO Omotaylor: First of all, the name is Anony as in Anonymous. It is not creative changing the name to Annoy. Just trying to point out a simple truth that everybody is anonymous when they are online. It is a figure of speech in a way not cowardice. Yes I am irritated because this article is a cheap way to attract attention without accomplishing anything tangible.Omotaylor DON’T YOU EVEN DARE LECTURE ME. Did I tell you I am not informed about the problems nigerians face? I am sure you are one of those people that just COMPLAIN COMPLAIN and COMPLAIN more, without getting to work trying to fix what is wrong. All talk no action. I am sick of working hard trying to improve Nigeria just to hear people complain only. The only thing this article achieved is the ridicule of nigerians; it does not offer any sensible solution. If you focus on problems only then you can never find solutions. And if u think that you are going to good places with articles like these then you are more irrational than I thought. Since the places you want to go (and are going) is the endless roads of complaining, lazy thinking, half-truths, and misinformation; then by all means you can go there alone because these are not dreams to me rather they are nightmares. I only dream of good places and that’s is not where you are going with articles like these.

By: Omotaylor

Omotaylor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:52:43 +0000

Annoy is just what he say he is (or could be a she), irrationally annoyed. Now you can have a go at me too, be my guest. Ghana worked hard to improve, Naija needs do same. Where are we going at this rate, if we are going places. The post is creditable and I support it. We all have differing opinions but only an annoyed person would launch such attack as above and even on AFRICAN LOFT! WELL DONE LOFT WE ARE GOING PLACES, PLACES WHERE ANNOYED CAN ONLY DREAM OF. I await your annoyed rejoinder. Chow

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:19:53 +0000

TO Anony:
Normally I pay little attention to comments written by people that can’t stand behind their words and hide behind the anonymity of Internet.

My beef with Anony is this statement:

Another reason readers should not take this misinformed and lazy thinking author seriously…

You can attack the message, but leave the messenger out of your diatribe! This website isn’t created for abusive languages but for informed commentaries, please stay off you can’t observe simple web etiquette. Thank you.

By: Anony

Anony — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:09:45 +0000

I won’t even bother finishing this article because it is simply jargon. Just one of those unintelligent ones. This sentiment (held by few ignoramuses) that some how because Obama visited Ghana that makes Ghana an african leader is very presumptuous, better yet outright ridiculous. Now that the trip is over, are all ghana’s problems over? Is Obama a divine saviour? Are you now the richest country in the world? The truth is that bad leadership or not, there is reform initialing. Do not look at where a country is but rather where is it going. In case you do not know nigerians are better educated and more academically diverse than ghanians. They have influence around the world. They have a lot more skilled immigrant in first world countries. Guess what? these immigrants are going home as expats and building the country. See how we can draw parallels with India and China. And people are starting to challenge the bad leaders we have now. The political system is beginning to shake. The Ghana we are talking about had corrupt leaders in the very recent past, so why so arrogant and making a mountain out of a hill? why is the author of this article making a big issue out of this. I do support the fact that Ghana’s NEW reformed democracy should supported and encouraged by Obama, but let’s not get carried away with pipe dreams! Stop talking other nations down. And Tshepo, the author’s claim that Nigeria rescued SA is a grotesque overstatement. Another reason readers should not take this misinformed and lazy thinking author seriously. Nigeria was in strong support but I wouldnt say “RESCUE”. And BRE I do not think this website is so popular and diverse that America.gov should consider it “THE AFRICAN ONLINE COMMUNITIES”.

By: tshepo

tshepo — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:36:12 +0000

Dr Onyeani i disagree with your statement ‘Nigeria rescuing sa from the grip of apartheit’ because its a lie, sure maybe a couple of ANC officials did seek shelter in your country but that is trivial as to what caused the demise of apartheit, even the small amount of nairas you donated. Please do your research and stop looking for oportunities to stroke your small ego in your litle world at the expense of Sa

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:11:17 +0000

Wow! AfricanLoft on america.gov?

By: BRE

BRE — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:24:23 +0000

A very well-written article that contains much truth. However, I do not believe that President Obama intended to ’snub’ any African country in his choice for the first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa. In fact Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson stated in an exclusive interview shortly before the Ghana visit that “… Nigeria is by far the most important country in Africa for the U.S.A. (or something to that affect).” This statement (and the two exclusive interviews at allAfrica.com) have been totally overlooked by many of the online pundits and African journalists out there who are complaining about the U.S. president’s first choice for an Africa visit.

But that’s not why I’m here today…

Yo Dude. Did you guys at African Loft know that this post has been referenced on the U.S. government’s website America.gov? Yep, it’s true. The African Loft and comments by your readers is being closely followed by The White House New Media team. Here is the link to the post at America.gov:

America.gov blogs / ‘By the People’
African Online Communities Buzzing about Ghana Visit – Part I by Michelle Austein Brooks, July 9, 2009

http://blogs.america.gov/bythepeople/2009/07/09/african-online-communities-buzzing-about-ghana-visit/

By: Don Thieme

Don Thieme — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:17:23 +0000

Wole Soyinka has always been prone to hyperbole, which is why he is a poet and man of letters rather than an effective politician. Barack Obama would be very welcome in Nigeria and he needs to visit there at some point during his administration. Perhaps the best message would be to include a visit to Abuja along with a number of other national capitals during a whirlwind tour of the entire continent.