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| Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu |
Eminent
businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu Wednesday reacted
to negative comments made by British Prime Minister, David Cameron describing
Nigeria as a fantastically corrupt country.
businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu Wednesday reacted
to negative comments made by British Prime Minister, David Cameron describing
Nigeria as a fantastically corrupt country.
In a
statement signed personally by the business mogul, he said, “my attention and
that of the Nigerian public have been drawn to the recent statements made by
the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron in which he characterized Nigeria
as a “fantastically corrupt country” during his briefing to Her
Majesty, Queen Elizabeth just before the anti corruption summit which was
attended by President Muhammadu Buhari in London.
statement signed personally by the business mogul, he said, “my attention and
that of the Nigerian public have been drawn to the recent statements made by
the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron in which he characterized Nigeria
as a “fantastically corrupt country” during his briefing to Her
Majesty, Queen Elizabeth just before the anti corruption summit which was
attended by President Muhammadu Buhari in London.
“The
statements of the British Prime Minister are most unfortunate and unguarded,
given the relationship between the Nigeria and Britain, two countries who share
very long and deep heritage; and especially as the British PM did not state the
basis on which he made such assertion which has now become public. It is also a
gross disrespect and a most uncharitable disposition to the Nigerian people who
work hard to earn their living and who have made very positive impacts on the
lives of British people and their economy. Also, such utterances coming from
the convener of the summit himself, just before the commencement, suggest that
either he doesn’t take the summit serious, or he is deceptive in terms of his
commitment to the Nigerian government in the fight against corruption.
statements of the British Prime Minister are most unfortunate and unguarded,
given the relationship between the Nigeria and Britain, two countries who share
very long and deep heritage; and especially as the British PM did not state the
basis on which he made such assertion which has now become public. It is also a
gross disrespect and a most uncharitable disposition to the Nigerian people who
work hard to earn their living and who have made very positive impacts on the
lives of British people and their economy. Also, such utterances coming from
the convener of the summit himself, just before the commencement, suggest that
either he doesn’t take the summit serious, or he is deceptive in terms of his
commitment to the Nigerian government in the fight against corruption.
“In the
light of this, the British Prime Minister should render an immediate and
unreserved apology to Nigerians and to President Muhammadu Buhari for the
embarrassing comments. As a responsible government and former colonists of
Nigeria, my advise is that Britain should handle this matter with the required
level of responsibility and prudence so as to avoid a possible breakdown of
diplomatic relations between the two countries”.
light of this, the British Prime Minister should render an immediate and
unreserved apology to Nigerians and to President Muhammadu Buhari for the
embarrassing comments. As a responsible government and former colonists of
Nigeria, my advise is that Britain should handle this matter with the required
level of responsibility and prudence so as to avoid a possible breakdown of
diplomatic relations between the two countries”.
SIGNED
Dr. Orji
Kalu
Kalu
Former
Governor of Abia State, Nigeria
Governor of Abia State, Nigeria
