Some Nigerians, especially social media users on Friday reacted to the discovery of an error in a speech by President Muhammadu Buhari while briefing journalists in Abuja on his arrival from G7 summit in Germany on Tuesday.
Buhari had referred to the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, as “President Michelle of West Germany.”
He had said, “I was personally invited by G7. I went there and I was asked to brief the G7, and I was impressed with the tremendous sympathy for the sub-region, the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Their humanitarian approach to the issue to say the least is very impressive and all of them, not only in Europe; from President Obama to the Chairman of G7, President Michelle of West Germany, and French President, they are all willing to help us.”
Some social media lovers chided the President for making such an error.
One of them, Tolu Ogunlesi, described the error as “Anoda Angu”….. So “West Germany” is currently trending in Nigeria.”
Other commentators, who responded to Ogunlesi’s tweet, differed on the issue. While some condemned the mistake, some made a fun of it and some others ignored it, saying what was important was his performance.
Afolayan Olanike, wrote, “Please tell me Buhari did not address Angela Merkel as the President of West Germany???? This can’t be true o.”
But some eminent Nigerians defended Buhari, saying he is human.
In a telephone conversation, foremost economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, said the President could make mistakes, adding that such an error was not a big deal.
He said, “I like to compare that kind of slip to Ronald Regan’s tenure as US President. He was often forgetting stuffs, but it didn’t stop him from doing a great job in the US. So, it’s not a big deal.”
Also, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said it was only the enemies of the country that would play up on such.
“Our national dignity should make us not to play up on such. It can happen to anybody,” he said.
In his view, a professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Lagos, Prof. Solomon Akinboye, said nobody is above mistake.
He said, “It could be a slip of tongue and I don’t think it’s deliberate. He is a human being. But it means people are watching him, and that means he should always prepare himself, especially when he is having such an engagement.”
But a public commentator and lawyer, Mr. Liborous Oshoma, said Nigerians were aware of his educational background but chose to ignore it when they voted for him.
He said, “If you look at the requirements to be a president in Nigeria, it is like a school certificate or its equivalent. So, when you have such requirement for such a position, you don’t expect to have a leader that would talk like a professor or an Obama. Even during campaigns, there were mistakes by the President, but Nigerians ignored them.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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No be ONLY PRESIDENT MICHELLE of WEST GERMANY, na PRESIDENT MARTINS of EAST GERMANY.
ReplyDeleteMore of this kind of HUMOUR from our PRESIDO.
Mr.Liborous Oshoma, what is your say on the former President with PhD?
ReplyDeleteSomeone like you always look the other way because of your evil mind.
Hnnnmmmm what is our problem in this country most expecially the media house. English is another country language tha was embrace as our official language mainly because of colonisation. Now, we are crucifying our president for the little mistake he made while some other president don't even speak english at all. This act of indescipline shoukd not be condone at all. Very very unfortunate, our ex-president that can speak inside and outside of dictionary we all witnesses their performance.
ReplyDeleteIt's not about English but knowledge of facts. We all know he can't speak well as per cert
DeleteIf anyone has no sin, let him be the first to throw stone at PMB, if not and you can not say something good, just keep quiet. Everybody make mistakes and you must accept it.
ReplyDeleteFool,you never accepted that everybody made mistake during GEJ's regime but now everybody can make mistake
DeleteObama made such mistakes and heaven did not fall. Armchair Critics go and find something better to do
ReplyDeleteIt's not a crime to speak wrong English, if it's PEJ it's a crime. Una dey make me laugh
ReplyDeleteAll of you finding faults in PMB, I am 100% sure none of you can tell the name of any governor outside of his/her State, apart from the noisy controversial idiotic ones.
ReplyDeleteHehehe....western Germany ......leave the old man along abeg...he can do better..,,love him
ReplyDeleteThis is only the beginning. More is coming but let it come with good performance, let it be the price we pay to get a better Nigeria. PhD gave us nothing
ReplyDeleteI just dey pass. I hope no be mama peace dis time
ReplyDeleteThis is not an english error, it shows d man has no idea of what is happening abroad..how then can he work on Nigeria foreign policies when he can't even remember d name of someone he just met with or the country he traveled to..let's be frank, d guy is a dullard..hope Nigeria survives in his care!
ReplyDeleteANONYMOUS 12.07PM, PLS TELL THEM!!!!! THIS IS THE JST BEGINNING!!!! WHEN GEJs WIFE MADE HERS DEY WERE ABUSING THE INNOCENT MAN. NOW U VE SEEN THE BEST. WHN A MAN MARRI TWO WIVES................. U CAN COMPLETE THAT 4 ME. MY GOD HAVE MERCY ON NIJA!!!!!! ITS A PITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
ReplyDeleteUseless comentator, na grammer go fix una electricity, na grammer go bring una fuel, na grammer go giv una and una children qulitative education, na grammer go giv una good health na grammer go giv una water etc. I pity all of una wey dey condem d president cos the thin way una no sabi pass the one way una sabi.
ReplyDeleteI am more interested in a President that will STOP corruption and LEAD with purpose than a PHD holder that is a lame duck!
ReplyDeleteI pray he (PMB) remembers the decisions reached in the meeting to implement accordingly.
ReplyDeletePMB,Please gramatical errors are not our problems in Nigeria,Can the so called G7 people Speak any of our (Nigerian) Language at all? Hence these criticisms should be ignored in its entirety.We need constructive criticisim that will usher in rapid developmen,rid corruption and make life confortable for Nigerian.PMB,may God make it easy for you.Amen.
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