Tony Blair stated international interest in Nigeria’s 2011 Election

Mr. Blair in Aso Rock, Nigeria

The former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was quoted recently on the concern of world community on the forthcoming Nigerian 2011 election. Mr. Tony Blair the former British prime minister and a clever politican is no stranger to African politics and Nigerian politics in particular. He said that the international community is expecting a lot from Nigeria’s general 2011elections.

Tony Blair was in Nigeria visiting President Goodluck Jonathan at Presidential Aso Villa:“Everyone, including the international community, is expressing a great deal of interest, a great deal of excitement for the elections and everyone is anxious for the elections to be conducted in the best possible way, “I think the preparations are going on and expectations are high around Nigeria, which is a great thing. Back in the West, things are pretty difficult politically, difficult economically. There is a hugely enhanced interest in Africa and in Nigeria. There is a lot of hope and excitement.”

During his tenure in Britain he organized many out reach programs for African including the formation of task force on African debt problem. He promoted the idea of debt forgiveness and increase in foreign aid for Africa during his leadership and as a head of G8. But his initiates failed because the group of G8 responed lukewarm to the program of debt forgiveness and increased in foreign aid to Africa. Moreover, the opposing voice was that Africa needs more trade and trade concession, not more foreign aid. Many view foreign aid as corrupt – a threat to engine of development and economic progress.