By Okoi Obono-Obla
Diplomacy, Leadership, and the Imperative of Progress
Those who are saying that the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom is not a big deal are mistaken in all ramifications. It is indeed a big deal. Diplomacy is a vital necessity in today’s world. No nation can thrive in isolation, for it is through diplomatic engagement that credibility is strengthened and opportunities for economic growth and investment are forged. In this regard, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom, at the gracious invitation of His Majesty King Charles III, is not only a significant milestone but also a resounding affirmation of Nigeria’s standing on the global stage. This visit is, indeed, a commendation of President Tinubu’s leadership and a testament to the value of forging meaningful international partnerships.
Those who suggest that President Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom is ill-timed because of challenges at home—such as the despicable terrorists entrenched in Borno State for the past seventeen years—miss the point entirely. These terrorists, who sporadically launch suicidal attacks and deploy improvised explosive devices to draw attention to their macabre ideology, thrive on sensational headlines. To suspend national progress and retreat into inactivity because they are on the prowl would be a defeatist attitude. When terrorists go lower, we must go higher. Governance cannot be held hostage to their antics.
Consider President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who continues to undertake state visits abroad even while his country faces relentless drone and missile attacks from Russia. Between a world power invading another sovereign nation and a ragtag group of thuggish terrorists striking sporadically, which should compel a leader to abandon his duties and sulk in paralysis? Clearly, leadership demands resilience and forward momentum.
Thus, President Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom is a great step. The UK is not only a world power but also an economic and technological hub, as well as a vital trading partner. With a large Nigerian diaspora excelling there, this engagement will resonate in tangible benefits—driving investments into Nigeria and expanding Nigeria’s export presence in the UK. Ultimately, such diplomatic strides will enhance Nigeria’s economic standing and reinforce its global relevance.
It is bad politics and malicious for some to always condemn whatever the President does, not on genuine grounds but on pedestrian and cheap arguments aimed at scoring political points or appealing to their base with the impression that they are opposed to government. Yes, opposition is vital in a democracy, for it compels the incumbent government to sit up and not take the people for granted. But opposition must be constructive. To condemn every action of government without reason is not patriotism; it is sabotage.
In conclusion, President Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom should be seen for what it truly is: a strategic diplomatic engagement that strengthens Nigeria’s global standing and opens doors to economic opportunities. Constructive criticism is welcome, but destructive cynicism only undermines national progress.
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