'Avoid Using Propaganda to Fight Insecurity', Ex Nigerian Envoy Counsels Tinubu Not to Visit Trump, Calls for Swift Action Against Insecurity
By: Olufemi Orunsola
Former Nigerian Ambassador to thePhilippines and the Kingdom of Cambodia and veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, has counselled President Bola Tinubu to avoid deploying propaganda to fight insecurity and avoid visiting U.S. President Donald Trump, describing such move as politically insensitive and diplomatically unnecessary.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the ex Nigerian Envoy gave the advice while during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, and monitored by our correspondent in Abeokuta.
Prof Farounbi stated that Tinubu must avoid actions that portray Nigeria as seeking validation from leaders who have little regard for Africa’s dignity.
He observed that Trump’s recent rhetoric on Nigeria and his past policies towards the continent showed “a lack of respect for African nations.”
The veteran broadcaster blamed Trump’s recent decision on Nigeria’s poor diplomatic response to international criticism, describing the U.S. action as a predictable outcome of silence and inaction.
He said, “Nigeria’s president represents the soul of over 200 million people. He should not visit anyone who once called African nations ‘shithole countries.’ We must act like a nation that values itself, not one begging to be recognized.
“We cannot claim we didn’t see this coming. For years, Catholic bishops from Benue and Plateau States have appeared before the U.S. Congress and European Parliament, presenting statistics of Christians killed by militants, yet Nigeria offered no strong counter-narrative.”
The Nigerian Diplomat expressed concerns that Nigeria had not maintained a full-fledged ambassador in Washington for years, leaving the country’s image undefended.
Farounbi noted that the international community often relies on reports and testimonies submitted by advocacy groups and NGOs, many of which operate with bias or limited understanding of Nigeria’s complexities.
“When you refuse to speak for yourself, others will speak for you,” he warned. “And when they do, they will not tell your story with fairness.”
He also charged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen Nigeria’s embassies, empower diplomats, and ensure accurate representation of the nation’s challenges.
Farounbi therefore urged the Nigerian government to take swift actions against the widespread insecurity in the country instead of deploying propaganda, noting that only through justice, fairness, and respect for human rights can the government rebuild public trust and global sympathy.
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