Reality had mocked again at
many politicians, commentators and analysts who hastened to express
disbelief and skepticism following the statement of the newly appointed
Military Ruler of the most populated country in Africa and one of the
biggest oil-exporters of the world that he intended to give up power,
return the helm of government to the people and democratize Nigeria.
Contrary to the totally
negative and critical attitude voiced, rightly, against his predecessor,
General Soni Abach, by Nigerians and the International community because
of the latter's harsh and repressive policies - the new ruler, General
Abdulsalami Abubakar was described as a "highly professional soldier",
modest and sincere, who had not shown serious ambition to stick to power.
However, the overwhelming view expressed by politicians and the
international media alike was that General Abubakar would not keep his
promise.
Fortunately, this pessimistic
observation proved wrong, because it did not take into account the
uncompromising determination and steadfast quest of the Nigerian people
for Democratic Rule. Indeed this was crystal clear proved during the
three consecutive general elections in which tens of millions of Nigerians
participated, held on the date promised months before by General Abubakar,
for the Nigerian Parliament and Senate, Local Governors and Municipalities
and the highest elected post - the Presidency.
Southerners, Northerners,
Moslems and Christians as well as the population representing the three
dominating tribes - the Hamsa, the Yourba and the Ibo took an active part
in the election campaigns. After 15 years of military rule, the road was
paved for a new era in Nigeria which brought it back to the family of the
Democratic Nations.
The choice of the Nigerians for
the Presidency, illustrated overwhelmingly their decision to elect for the
helm of government a leader who had proved before his loyalty for and
devotion to Decmocracy - the long-retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, a
Christian of the Yourba, who gained the respect and trust of his
fellow-Moslems.
Israel had played a unique and
"significant" role in the development of Nigeria since the early days of
its pre-independence period - and after its achievement in 1960.
Following the requests of two out of the three federal states, the
Southeastern IBO and the Southwest Yourba, which were dominantly
Christian, and the enthusiastic positive response of Prime Minister Golda
Meir - hundreds of Israeli experts and volunteers were sent to Nigeria to
help in the development and modernization of its agriculture, educational
network, medical institutions and technological training programs.
Hundreds of Nigerian farmers, experts, educators, academicians, students,
doctors, community workers and engineers were trained in Israel. Top
level ministerial meetings of both countries were held and friendly
relations, beneficial to both peoples developed.
This practical,
multidimensional, fruitful cooperation, which predominated
Nigerian-Israeli relations, was so appreciated and important in Nigeria
that it survived and even overcame the long rupture of diplomatic
relations between the two countries which was compelled on Nigeria by the
decision of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) following the Yom
Kippur War and which lasted 19 years.
This meaningful and useful
cooperation gained new impetus when diplomatic relations were restored.
Israel's Embassy resumed its functions in September 1992 - and a Nigerian
Embassy was opened in Israel for the first time in April 1993.
Israel can, if requested,
cooperate and assist in this sensitive and transitional period of
democratization of Nigeria as it did in the past. She is capable of
acting in many spheres; mainly agriculture, which was neglected and has
deteriorated during the "oil rush" in Nigeria, in technologizing Nigeria's
economy, which is a key to its development, bring highly qualified
high-tech experience and assist in improving social services, medical
care, education and telecommunication.
