Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

Below is an excerpt from an article about the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA). In it the statement was made that Nigeria has a divine leadership responsibility to the rest of Africa. What is the basis, if any, for this statement? Does anyone agree with this position?


Nigeria Has Divine Duty to Lead Africa - Suleiman

by ISAH RAMAT

Shuaibu Suleiman is the acting Director-General, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA). In this chat with Ruth Yamta, he speaks about the mandate of DTCA and the volume of Nigeria’s assistance to other African countries.

Since DTCA is a Nigerian establishment, is it not better to restrict its mandate to the needs of Nigerians instead of allowing it to become an African mandate?

I’m sure you are very much aware that the world has become a global community. Whatever happens in the U.S. has a lot of implications on Africa. Somebody even said when US coughs, Africa sneezes. That is correct. When we are talking of technical cooperation, we are looking at issues that cut across countries and borders; issues that don’t respect borders. When we are talking about issues of climate change, you can’t stop it by physical barriers. The same for floods; in fact, recently, Lacto Dam in Cameroun flooded the whole of Adamawa State. By the way, whether you like or not, divinely, God has placed leadership of Africa on the shoulder of Nigeria in terms of population, resources and so on. There is no country in Africa that can stand us even in terms of expertise. Therefore, it makes sense for Nigeria to look outward and not only to concentrate on Nigerians. It is actually said wherever you see four black men, one of them is a Nigerian. If you go to Ghana, Nigerians have taken over the economy of Ghana. Some few months ago, there was this controversy that either they pay about $30,000 for them to be allowed to do business individually in Ghana or else they should pack and go. Now, as an African leader, can you afford to sit down and just watch this happen? Firstly, divinely, you have the leadership responsibility to lead Africa and you must live up to that. Secondly, the world has become a global community, which means whatever affects Angola affects Nigeria, whatever affects Chad affects Niger Republic. It therefore, makes sense for all the nations in Africa to cooperate, to bring about the integration of their economies. Thirdly, Nigeria must be interested in what happens in other countries because Nigerians are living there.               

Full article: http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/34638/2012/09/11/nigeria_has_divine_duty_lead_africa_suleiman.html (http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/34638/2012/09/11/nigeria_has_divine_duty_lead_africa_suleiman.html)