Nigeria is not a great nation," he wrote. "It is one of the most disorderly nations in the world. It is one of the most corrupt, insensitive, inefficient places under the sun. It is one of the most expensive countries and one of those that give [the] least value for money. It is dirty, callous, noisy, ostentatious, dishonest and vulgar. In short, it is among the most unpleasant places on earth! Chinua Achebe quoted in Editorial in The New Republic Mar 22, 1999
West and East Nigeria are as different as Ireland from Germany. The North is as different from either as China.
Obafemi Awolowo, quoted in John Gunther, _Inside Africa_, 1955
Nigerians as a group, frankly,are marvellous scammers. I mean, it is in their natural culture. General Collin Powell
Nigeria, land of the greasy palm. -- Week Ending, BBC Radio 4
For some reasons perhaps deeply rooted in patriotism (however misplaced), hope or faith in the black man's ability to rule himself, youthful exuberance and a great deal of ignorance, Macaulay, Zik, Imoudu, Awolowo, Sardauna, Enahoro etc., went to town demanding that the British must go. They did. Nigerians sang for joy. We should have wept in self-pity.
Dele Sobowale February 19, 1995, Sunday Vanguard.
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