Ag.President You Goofed! In your recent speech- Ayo Turton wrote:

Ayo Turton wrote:

"Mere "Geographical Expression" Ag.President Goofed! In a recent speech, Prof. Osinbajo was quoted to have said that those who are using the phrase Nigeria is a "mere geographical expression" are ignorant of the fact that it was used to describe Italy a century before Nigeria and that Italy is still a "mere geographical expression"
He called those who think that Nigeria is doomed to fail because of the way it is presently cobbled together "pseudo-intellectuals"

In his opinion (albeit factually wrong) he thinks that if Italy has survived for over 100 years before Nigeria, then Nigeria will, no sir.

I had to scratch my head reading that message because among those people he referred to as "pseudo-intellectuals" would be his own grandfather-in-law, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the sage.

I am giving the Ag. President Osinbajo the benefit of the doubt that he didn't have the time to read and process that speech before committing that blunder.
And if that speech wasn't prepared but impromptu, I dare to say you are wrong sir.

FACTS
When Klemens Von Metternich referred to "Italy" as a mere geographical expression in April 1847 it was a statement of fact. Today's Italy then was Italian Peninsula consisting of mutually independent sovereign states. There was no single country or nation known as Italy then. So, Klemens was right.

When Chief Obafemi Awolowo used the expression in relation to Nigeria, he used it as a metaphor for the haphazard amalgamation of several erstwhile sovereign entities that are still fiecely loyal to their ethnic origins to become Nigeria. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was right then, and the expression is true about Nigeria till date.

The pseudo-intellectuals are those who think Italy is still surviving as a mere geographical expression. The difference conveniently overlooked by Osinbajo is what Italy did that we are refusing to do.
Italian Peninsula consists of independent sovereign states just like the territory now known as Nigeria consisted of many sovereign and independent governments.

When Italy became unified in 1861, the unification did not force the independent states under one central government but rather created autonomous regions forming the country known as Italy. As of date, there 20 of such autonomous regions in Italy making it a real federalist country. (Unfortunately, the Ag. President has been calling those who are asking for what Italy did names)
Therefore, Italy is no longer a "mere geographical expression" it has achieved the status of a nation-state having devised a system that works for everyone. Did we learn anything from them? Likewise, Japan, Switzerland, Belgium, Indian, Indonésia etc

What Italy did ironically is all we are asking Osinbajo & co to do.
Nigeria remains a defacto and metaphorically a "mere geographical expression"
If not, he Osinbajo will be fully-fledged President right now. But those who think it is their turn won't let him. They would rather have a President rule from London. A disheartening reminder of our colonial history.
The joke is on Mr. Ag. President".