When home based Nigerians/Africans and those outside see need for collaboration, Nigeria, and by extension Africa, will get better faster. Allowing South Africans, Indians, Pakistanis, Israelis, Lebanese, dictate the pace and tone in Nigeria/Africa economy, is sacrilegious and unconscionable. Challenge me on that.
 
No African has ever enjoyed the same level of support to succeed doing business in these countries. So what is good for the goose when it comes to the gander, is a Hell No. Please someone, tell me an African/Nigerian who has successfully executed major contracts in South Africa, India, Israel, Pakistan and Lebanon. I  would like to know.
 
Why are Nigerians fronts for other nationals at the detriment and expense of their nation?
 
Obama's election, while it signals change and makes many feel good, Chicago his home city, has the highest murder rate in US - 500 homicides in 2012. South Side Chicago home to Obama, is one tough neighborhood. 
 
It is not being in office for the prestige and glamour of it, but using the instruments of political office to advance and effect changes suitable for a peoples' well being, and inspire them to step up and take their challenges for better and greater good.
 
Black unemployment remains the highest among ethnic groups in US and yet, more blacks hold PhDs than any other race in US. Do you understand? Just like Nigerians parade PhDs, they are not able to create employment for their people. Blood does not lie. Does it?
 
That no black financial institution in Africa or US, has made it to the New Stock Exchange, or any black owned bank in US worth $1 billion, while blacks consume in excess of $1 trillion dollars in US, simply says blacks consume but hardly produce. Everyone makes money off blacks. Yet, leaders in Africa are quick to stash money in US and European banks. Who does that?
 
Black economic condition in the 21st century is so deplorable. Black persons should support their own institutions, not the mega churches blacks and Africans/Nigerians enjoy building wherein 'giving to the Lord', means expensive cars, airplanes and houses for the preachers and pastors while majority of the givers live below the poverty line. It is sinful.
 
Charity must begin at home and never from abroad. Economic development is about a people well being and not to enhance others at their own expense.
 
Nigeria UBA has remained in the same location ever since they opened office in New York - 1978. How come UBA with all its noise about being the largest bank in Nigeria/Africa, has not transitioned into many branches in US, given the presence of native Africans/Nigerians in US? It is myopic. 
 
Because Nigerians are transaction driven, intellectual efforts needed for transformation does not appeal to them. What makes things move in developed nations is intellectual exercise and ability to challenge the status quo.
 
Nigerians wants to flow with the flow, and if doing so at the expense of themselves and making a quick buck, so be it. They are like Nike commercial - Just Do It - End of story.
 
By Ejike Okpa II,
Dallas, Texas.