Friends As Adversaries; Adversaries As Friends.

“We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.”

This quote from Lord Palmerston, (1784-1865), Prime Minister of Great Britain, (1855-1858), (1859-1865), may have gone through several modifications but at its core, it has remained not only substantially unchanged, but may now even be regarded as a law of human nature.

In Mass Communication, this is referred to as a Working Theory.

It is with this quote in mind that one must look at the state of the Western Alliance today.

Will it endure a Trump offensive?

Two times in the 20th century, the United States, separated from Europe by a vast Ocean, entered into war to protect Europe from itself—mainly, German aggression.

Interestingly, in the Second World War, a present day adversary, Russia, fought on the same side as the United States against a common enemy—Germany.

However, much of what has been obscured from history is the fact that without American help, Russia itself would have been overrun by the German blitzkrieg.

A Russian historian, Anatoly Razumov, said this only recently—“We were lucky to have America as an ally. American technology, and supplies formed the base of Russia’s war effort.” He continued. “We cannot close our eyes to that. It’s shameful! Sometimes I talk to ordinary people who don’t want to understand. We were together during the war. How would it be if we hadn’t had this help? It was not a victory of just one country over Hitler. It was a victory of the whole world over him.”

See some statistics below.

Without U.S. supplies, the Soviet war effort would have been massively diminished. America supplied Stalin with 400,000 trucks, 2,000 locomotives, more than 10,000 rail rolling stock and billions of dollars’ worth of warplanes, tanks, food and clothing. At the same time, the U.S. also supplied nearly a quarter of Britain’s munitions.

Once friends, now adversaries, but why?

Some would argue that Communism, (The Bolshevik revolution, 1917), was a problem.

Others would argue that Russia betrayed Europe on the night of 23-24 August 1939, when Germany, and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The countries agreed that they would not attack each other for at least 10 years, and secretly divided the countries that lay between them. Germany claimed Western Poland, and part of Lithuania. This agreement emboldened Hitler to make his move while Russia would not be a bother.

The real issue as we can now see, is that there does not have to be any issue at all, except that interests no longer converge.

Life’s experiences are intertwined, and driven by basic human need for survival, and self preservation. The earlier we understand this, the better it would be for everyone.

Today’s America is not last year’s America. There’s a new Sheriff on the block. He is cut from a different cloth. That does not make him worse than anyone else. He sees the world differently. He perceives the Alliance as a burden. He would rather spend all the money meant for the maintenance of NATO for which the United States bears a disproportionate burden,—at home to—“make America great again.”

Anyone who disagrees would have to wait until the Midterm Elections in 2026 to take the House of Representatives, and change course, or else, wait for 4 years.

It’s as simple as that.

In a democracy, we can’t only agree with what we like. It’s the total package.

Trump just wants to do business with any country that wants to do business. He does not care about Communism. He does not care if you’re a dictator. Why should he?

In the next four years of Trump, we may begin to see a shift in relations with Russia, and why not?

THE CAPO DE TUTTI CAPI.

General Gowon speaking at the IBB Book launch last week referred to IBB as a boss of bosses, (Capo de Tutti Capi). It is an Italian expression of great respect towards a Mafia Boss. Can anyone argue with that assertion? IBB is a colorful man. He’s a courageous man. He is also known not to take prisoners. He is a student of Machiavelli. Love him or hate him, IBB has been a factor in the history of Nigeria.

But for June 12, IBB’s legacy would have been draped in gold. If we honestly desire to put things in perspective, he did a marvelous job. He enunciated policies that helped the country to blossom in an atmosphere of freedom. He grew the power and influence of the Federal Government massively through the creation of interventionist agencies—NEXIM, NDIC, OMPADEC, now NDDC, NDE. The list is long. He also deregulated banking, and the Media space. Whereas we only had Radio Nigeria before his time, one has lost count of the number of Radio, and Television stations that have been birthed since deregulation. These were bold steps. His wife of blessed memory was a beautiful soul. She brought glamor to the presidency, whilst also bearing gifts of empowerment for rural women. These are things that we cannot wish away.

Getting us into the Organization of Islamic Countries was a grave mistake. We are not an Islamic nation. Bringing religion into governance is always a slippery slope.

As people gathered for the book launch, it was interesting to see former friends who had become adversaries, and former adversaries who have become friends.

They came together to launch Babangida’s book, and Presidential library.

Without saying if it was a great story or not, IBB has said his bit. Anyone who wants to dispute his perspective must also engage in the level of intellectual rigor that has produced Babangida’s book. Shooting straight from the hip and insulting him will not cut it. We are in the Information-Age. If you disagree with the man, go to your laptop, and begin to pound away to chip away at his own version of history. Until someone can do that, we must give honor to whom honor is due. Accept a salute from a civilian sir. Kudos!

LOCAL POLITICS.

Coming back home, as all politics is local, Babangida’s book is not as important to me as the well-being of my people of Edo State. There’s a level of federal neglect that is unacceptable in Esan land.

The Federal road leading from Agbor to Esan is atrociously unconscionable. Federal roads passing through Esan land are horrible. On top of that, the role of Local Governments in delivering the last mile of services to the masses cries for concern. I was in Uromi for a funeral last weekend. I was not impressed. I doubt if any recent visitor to Uromi is happy at what the eyes see, and what the nostrils breathe.

Squalor.

We can do better than that. Uromi with its beautiful weather can be a place that invites people to come, and party. It’s topology dreams of Disneyesque-Orlando, Florida type aspirations. In the 60s and 70s, doctors used to recommend Uromi as a place to travel to for recuperating after a hospital visit.

Not anymore. Not because God has ceased to bless Uromi with great weather, but because humans have made a mess of God’s gift.

What time is it?

It’s Akpakomiza time.

Mr. Governor, do your thing.

THE VEGAS HALF MARATHON.

Now, for the greatest news of all. My daughter was in Vegas this past weekend to run the Vegas Half Marathon of 13.1 miles. She completed the race. She called me last night and said, “Dad, I completed the race. My legs are numb.”

Osalunosse O. Ovienmhada, I respect your courage, and determination. You have conquered the marathon. Is Kilimanjaro next?

Dear reader, we all have a marathon as metaphor in our lives. Determine to run your own race.

O’meekey O. Ovienmhada.