Is Nigeria’s President Buhari serious on his mission to curb and eliminate corruption?  Will his efforts pay off or come to nothing and business go on as usual? 

The War Against Corruption should lead to whacking  those who stole from the people. Buhari should call in the Ambassadors of countries where these monies are stashed and ask them to ensure that this money is returned to Nigeria. Ambassador who fail to do so should be sent packing and Nigeria's Ambassadors in affected countries recalled. If diplomatic relations are neither  mutual nor ensure that each nation makes effort to stop ill gotten monies from being stashed in affected countries, there is no sense maintaining the relationship.

The UK appears to be the leading nation where money stolen from Nigeria always find safe place. It is time Nigeria’s  leadership stepped up strongly against this practice and called them out. First Nigeria Finance Minister Festus Okotie-Ebo, stashed money in UK banks in the 1960s. Umaru Dikko in the 1980s was so open about his own corruption that there was an attempt by Nigeria’s  leadership to crate him and bring him back to Nigeria. The UK authorities foiled the move; allowing a thief to stay free. Now former Petroleum Minister Madam Diezani Alison-Madueke is hiding somewhere in UK, avoiding prosecution for allegations on missing/stolen money.

If the UK will not commit to cooperate with Nigeria, Nigeria should cut them off. There is no value in a relationship where one side benefits while the other is victimized by criminal conducts enabled by elements.

In the 21st century, it is time African nations and especially the world's most populous black nation - Nigeria – showed they can bark and bite. A serious meeting ought to be held with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria by Buhari’s administration and Britain made to know that unless it cooperates to follow and relocate the money back to Nigeria,  Nigeria will severe relationship with them.

Singapore did so when UK devalued its money and then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, severed relationship and pulled out of the Commonwealth, leading to the trajectory that saw the small island nation seek self induced development. Today, Singapore has the highest per capita of all former British colonies including Britain. That is what happens when one decides enough is enough.

Nigeria must not be beholding to any nation. The image and reputation of the black race is attacked globally and there is need for black nations to assert their influence and power. If being a member of the Commonwealth does not include protecting the wealth of member nations, who wants such a  relationship?

The  UK is home to most real estate owned by persons who once served in the Nigeria government with corresponding money stolen from Nigeria. Claiming ignorance is unacceptable. It is time to tell them that this is harming the wellbeing of Nigerians. Nigeria does not need any aid from the UK. What the UK ought to do is work with Nigeria to kick out any Nigerian accused of corruption so they do not have a home in their Kingdom. However, if the Kingdom is haven for thieves, then there is no need to maintain a relationship with it. An enabler of stolen goods is equally guilty by aiding and abetting such conduct. For Nigeria, it is time to be a real GIANT of Africa or just shut up, and seek re-colonization.

By Ejike E Okpa II

Dallas, Texas