Despite the inconvenience Monday’s closure of the US Embassy in Abuja and consulate in Lagos could cause to them, some Nigerians have taken to social media to hail US President Donald Trump for standing by his campaign promise to build a wall at the US-Mexican border, which provoked a US government shutdown that necessitated the closure of the US mission in Nigeria.
A terse statement on the US Embassy Nigeria Facebook page read, “Due to the current U.S. government shutdown, the American Centers located in the Embassy, Abuja and Consulate General, Lagos are unfortunately closed.
“They will re-open once the U.S. government shutdown is resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience to our valued patrons.”
The executive and legislative arms of the US government have been at daggers drawn for several months over what the lawmakers considered as President Trump’s unnecessary and wasteful bid to expend $5 billion to deny illegal Mexican immigrants entrance into America.
As expected, hundreds of Nigerians will miss their appointments for tourist, study, business visas or immigrant visa and any other travel document.
But if they were negatively affected by the closure, they spoke to the contrary, as they vented their frustration with their political leaders who make truckloads of promises during election campaigns and deliver next-to-nothing when eventually elected.
According to comments monitored by this reporter on Nairaland, a popular Nigerian online forum, commentators urged their elected leaders to emulate the example shown by President Trump.
One commentator said, “America has not had it this Great in a Long while!
“I salute President Donald Trump! This is how every person elected as President should be.
“Preserve your Citizens first before others!”
Another commentator, who lauded Trump, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the 2019 general election to vote out ‘promise-and-fail’ politicians.
The commentator, who goes by the pseudonym Ayoswit, said, “Hmmm. Our leaders should make effort to develop naija, as Nigerians should also vote out leaders who do not have the interest of the country at heart.”
Similarly, Abdeiz expressed delight that an elected official could go to such great lengths to fulfil a campaign promise.
He said, “Here is a president going to war to fulfill promises he made to the electorate and here in my country a president … blames others for failures instead of doing the right thing. In saner climes he’d have to step down but our division in this country won’t let that happen.”
Another Nigerian, who highlighted the huge resources America budgets for security annually, queried the US Congress’s decision to make a fuss over $5 billion, describing it as a token.
He said, “Trump was voted for his anti-immigration stance. It hurts to the outside world, but he did win the election.
“The US legislators should understand he was voted in solely for this ‘wall’.
“Afterall, considering the billions America spends on its military, 5 billion dollars is chicken change.”
Silent Wisper, another commentator, urged any Nigerian displeased with the closure to advocate for better running of the country, which would reduce the rush to run to America.
“Nigerians should learn how to develop their country it’s simple as ABC.”
Although he mocked Trump for his dramatic personality, another commentator, praised his tenacity and can-do spirit.
“I like this Trumpet man of US,” he said. “No matter how much criticism you receive, if what you are doing is worth it, carry on.”
“Talk and do president,” another Nairaland user said, “I salute you sir.”