Our Reporter, New York
The White House Correspondent for Today News Africa in Washington DC, Simon Ateba, has said that the major challenge confronting Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency will be rebuilding Nigeria’s international reputation. The Cameroonian-born journalist spoke during an interview with 90Minutes Africa hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo on Sunday.
Ateba said that though the election that produced Tinubu as President-Elect was far from perfect, the nation would have to move on after the likely swearing-in of Tinubu on May 29 so that he will begin rebuilding the reputation of the country.
“The question is, he has been elected and is likely to be sworn into office on May 29, so how do we move from there? Haven said that some of the challenges he would face would also have to do with the reputation of Nigeria.
“He would have to rebuild that reputation. People don’t respect Nigeria anymore in the international community. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. I lived in Nigeria for many years, and I consider myself a Nigerian. Nigeria is the most important country in Africa, and when Nigeria can’t hold a simple election well, you know there is a big crisis,” Ateba said.
The former News Magazine journalist lamented the increasing difficulties in conducting international transactions to and from Nigeria as a result of continuous collapse of the naira.
“When I first came to the US, it was easy for me to send money back home to Nigeria, and people back home who have some of my cash could easily send them across to me here in the US. But for some years now, it has been very difficult to send money or even to receive them. So it has been very difficult to do business with the international community. The naira has continued to collapse.
“So I would say that though it was a really bad election, an election riddled with irregularities but the country will have to move on. Tinubu is likely to be sworn in, and he faces many legal, social, economic, and political challenges, and he will need to start rebuilding the reputation of the country in the international community.” he stated.
The controversial journalist, who has had a running with the White House Press Secretary, also spoke on the US-Africa relationship under the Biden administration. He said the US wants to continue dictating to Africa rather than see her as a partner. So while China delivers projects for the continent, the US is trying to impose gay rights and climate change discourse. Citing the example of the US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit, he said: “She didn’t have anything to offer. The Chinese were delivering roads, bridges, and infrastructure, but she went empty-handed.”
