[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12290-12291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                            HOPE FOR NIGERIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, for many years Nigeria has been a 
symbol in international circles of mismanagement, corruption, drug 
trafficking, and dictatorship. It stood as one of the world's pariah 
nations. Nigeria is a country of more than 100 million people and 
abundant natural resources, which should make it leader on the African 
continent and the world stage. It has been prevented from taking its 
rightful role because of poor political leadership. In 1993, a 
democratic election was annulled and once again military dictatorship 
prevailed.
  Now, however, it appears the tide may have turned. On May 29th of 
this year, President

[[Page 12291]]

Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated after his victory in democratically-
held national elections. This is a moment of truth for Nigeria. 
Obasanjo faces several tremendous challenges. He must build up 
democratic institutions in a country that has had precious little 
experience with them. He must overcome serious economic problems. And, 
he must repair Nigeria's negative international image. Nigeria may 
finally be on the path to prosperity and democracy, and the entire 
African continent could reap the benefits.

                          ____________________