National Chairman of Telecoms Security Workers Association of Nigeria, TSWAN, Dr. Ishaya Bawa has condemned the inappropriate US protocol reception accorded President Muhammadu Buhari at the Joint Base Andrews Airport, Washington DC.
This was contained in a statement signed by TSWAN chairman and made available to Nigerian Pilot yesterday in Abuja.
Bawa criticized the American government for sending the American Ambassador to Nigeria to receive the Nigerian President on his first official visit to America on invitation by the American President, questioning the whereabouts of senior executive officials of the American government that would warrant the Obama government assigning an Ambassador to welcome Nigeria’s President.
He also accused Obama’s government of always looking down on Nigerian and other third world presidents during their visit to America.
“Obama’s government had always relegated the importance of Nigerian and other third world Presidents during their visits to America.
“If the American government knows very well the important role of Nigeria in African and third world politics, he should have sent a very senior official to welcome him.
“If the government had sent the Vice-President of America, the Secretary of State or other top ministers, it would have been more respectful than sending a Nigerian based Ambassador to welcome him, this is a note of protest against further extension of Neo-Colonialism,” Bawa stated.
Dr Bawa also explained that the visit came as a result of Obama’s invitation, which all Nigerians appreciated and not a request from President Buhari.
He further urged the American president to change his approach towards receiving presidents, as this does not diminish the importance and recognition of America as an all-round super power determined to help Nigeria achieve her agenda on security, economy and fight against corruption.
“This superiority clout displayed by America is discriminatory and racial and Obama should realize that there is dignity in leadership as Africans uphold same, particularly Nigeria.
“We are pointing out this fact for correctional purposes in case of next visit of our President to God’s own country.”
