If the saying that "experience is the best teacher" has any credibility to it, then it's perhaps arguable that there can be no doubts that the non-Nigerian participants in the Summit, especially those from the Western countries, would be fully conscious of the fact that the society of their host nation is such that is bedeviled by the influences of social culprits! So, one can reasonably expect that the Westerners will be carrying "big spoons" at the "dinning tables" during the expected negotiations.

Just what exactly is this Summit, expected to attract the participation of prominent personalities from over 30 countries is all about? A Guardian newspaper report states: "The President of The World Bank, Dr. Paul Wolfowitz is scheduled to give a luncheon speech on key issues relating to social and economic development in Africa, the private sector and the Millennium Development goals." Is this sort of event a "big deal" or a "new trend" in Nigeria? It's the submission of this writer that it's not at all a big deal or a new trend in Nigeria by any stretch of the imagination. By all account, this is actually a matter of business as usual for the typical Nigerian leadership past and present, who're deeply entrenched in economic and financial corruption. Except that the likes of Bill Clinton and Paul Wolfowitz are very frankly going to play hardball with President Olusegun Obasanjo and his folks this time around, as the 7^th Leon H. Sullivan Summit kicks off in Abuja.

The theme of the Summit is said to be "Africa: A Continent of Opportunities - Building Partnerships for Success." Well, that's such a heart-warming and perhaps, a well-meaning theme! But whether Nigerians ought to blush or lament over these sorts of "Diplomatic Photo-Ops" under the auspices of "...Partnerships for Success" is entirely irrelevant as long as the creditor nations remain pessimistic about Nigeria's claim of its war against corruption and moral decadence amongst her citizenry. Therefore, judging by the degree of corruption and spiritual wickedness, which continue to permeate the political and economic leadership of the Nigerian society, there's little doubt as to whether the Western nations yet find Nigeria to be an economically and financially trustworthy nation to do business with! The truth of the matter is that they do not. At the least, certainly not with this present political dispensation.

Even though Nigeria reportedly recently got its acts together with the Paris Club, and even though also, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly reached some important milestones with several international crime-fighting and law enforcement organizations, the overall perception of Nigeria's seriousness in its declared war against graft, economic, and financial crimes remains fallacious at best to the Western nations. And despite its best efforts to date - and it has done quite admirably a lot with its approximately 1000 personnel only - , the EFCC in the capable hands of its Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has not however, convincingly impressed upon Nigerians, as well as all other doubting citizens of other nations that there are no "sacred cows" who are "off limits" in its war against economic and financial crimes! Yet, Nuhu Ribadu is an honorable man, and those who have encountered this straight shooter of a guy will not hesitate to quickly make that case on his behalf at any assembly.

As they gather in Abuja, the participants of the 7^th Leon H. Sullivan Summit must undoubtedly reflect on the ideals of The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, under which auspices they have gathered. Naturally, they would remember and ponder upon the purpose and goals of the Foundation, which according to the Guardian newspaper report, "seeks to advocate the economic, political and social development of the poor and disadvantaged in America and Africa, by supporting programs and initiatives that serve to reduce poverty, minimize unemployment and build civil societies." While the above objective is certainly very laudable indeed, but the environment under which the gathering will be taking place remains economically and financially "dirty" due to the severally entrenched nature of the ever-visible corruption and the seemingly ensuing cover-ups of prevailing spiritual wickedness of the society's so-called political leadership against its citizens. Today, one very conspicuous symbol of the phenomena of unpunished and unchecked roguish looting of Nigeria's public treasury remains the former un-elected "military president," General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), popularly known to Nigerians as "Maradona" for his "ability to dupe and cheat" the Nigerian people. 

And to think about it in all honesty, what an irony of fate, that a society which harbors such a self-styled "evil genius" former military dictator who looted ungodly sums off the people's treasury  -  and who is still roaming and gallivanting about as a free man afterwards  - ;  that such a society should be hosting a Summit dedicated to the like of the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, as Abuja will apparently witness right under the shadow of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, just an hour's drive away at his 50-room mansion in Minna, truly bothers on diplomatic hypocrisy that is questionable and suspect. How do you ask or trust a pack of wolves to be care-takers over a head of sheep? It's akin to asking or entrusting a colony of mambas with a poultry farm. The world would not be surprised if the Chief social culprit of Nigeria, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida even shows up to attend  the occasion of the Summit! After all, his presence will merely only just add further ridicule to Nigeria's already laughable reputation! But do the Nigerian governmental authorities even care about reputation anyways? If they did, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida ought to be under lock and keys in a maximum security penitentiary, paying for his sins against the Nigerian people. But so far, the current political "leadership?" have allowed this rogue general to continue parading himself as an elder statesman? 

If the above sounds like a funny joke to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, it's certainly not a joke, let alone having the appearance of being funny. Most Nigerians, including this writer continue to pray for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu that God will strengthen the hands of the EFCC Chief, and enable this Chief fulfill his God-ordained destiny; using the KEYS temporarily entrusted in his custody to bring Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to justice before humanity and before God. That's the only closure and the only ultimate satisfaction that will be relevant to Nigerians and the rest of the world in the final analysis of the IBB saga. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.