Showing posts with label Heathrow Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heathrow Airport. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

African Leaders And Public Funds

  By Jason Osai

Desirous of foreign loan to invigorate the ailing Nigerian economy, a Nigerian President set off from the sprawling, multiple mansion presidential lodge in Aso Rock, Abuja to London for a meeting with his British counterpart. Driven in a 36-car motorcade of stretch limousines and other luxurious cars to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), he boarded one of the ten presidential jets and zoomed off to London. 

At Heathrow Airport, two stretch limousines, some SUVs and six despatch riders are at his service including a retinue of staff from the diplomatic mission who virtually “drop to their knees to catch every drop of his sneeze”. At No 10 Downing Street, Mr. President is ushered into the modestly furnished office of his host, the Prime Minister (PM) of Great Britain. The PM lives in an equally modestly furnished apartment in the same building on a street that is open 24/7 to everyday traffic for everyday people, a rather striking contrast with the maximum security exclusivity of Aso Rock, far away from the reach of everyday Nigerians.