It now appears there is a group of Nigerian that take delight in spreading lies and their ignorance whenever the president travels overseas. It regrettable that there are bunch of Nigerians whose aim is geared towards bringing shame to the country or rubbishing the person of the President of Federal republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

 Even when the whole world are mourning the loss of African illustrious son and a rare icon, Dr Nelson Mandela, some section of Nigerian Press are busy lying and discrediting the person of the President.

Yesterday, Premium Times reported that President Jonathan was traveling to South Africa 6 days ahead of the burial date of Mandela. 

Some social media sites sponsored this ill-informed story to ensure that it goes viral. Like other world leaders, President Jonathan left to South Africa yesterday evening to ensure that he will arrive for this morning's Funeral service at Soweto stadium.

This only exposed the ignorance of these reckless media group, who are not aware that world leaders will be honouring late Nelson Mandela on the December 10, 2013, and not on the burial date (15/12/2013). 

Mandela's burial is a private family affair, the world leaders are not part of the arrangement.

Another lie sprang up yesterday claiming that Nigerian President was snubbed by the organizers of the Funeral.

They conveniently ignored the fact that the Nigerian president was among the only 5 president and world leaders that was officially received by the South African Government, Funeral organizers and the Mandela family. 

There were only 5 Presidents that spoke on the funeral. One wonders, if the rest of the 86 leaders were also snubbed?

Even the UK Prime Minister was not among those that gave a speech yesterday. was he also snubbed?

When asked about it by the BBC, Cameron responded that he did not come to Soweto to give a speech, but to pay his respects to Nelson Mandela!

When the snubbing lies was rejected by Nigerians and reasonable people, the same group came up with another childish story. They claimed that President Jonathan was sleeping at the event. 

Those that watched the funeral on television, will attest to the fact that Nigerian President was actively engaging with other world leaders and eminent people across the world who graced the funeral. There was no dull moment and the fabrication that the President was sleeping is simply absurd and stupid.

I watched the entire official funeral program. when Jonathan was introduced, the people at the stadium cheered him with a very loud joyful noise for him the same way they did for Obama. When Jonathan arrived the Arena, He was rushed at by the Press, and the MC recognized his presence.

When will these heartless Nigerians know that rubbishing the image of the President of Nigeria is not different from undermining the image and integrity of Nigeria and its people, in the eyes of the International community.

Nigerians are wiser, this culture of lies, any time the president travels overseas is no more adding up. 

Having said the above, Nigerians have a magnified image of their own place and importance in the world. The majority the population are miles away from reality. Such misconceptions lead Nigerians to walk about with over-bloated ego and swagger, as if he owns the blue sky. Abeg make una chill! Giant of Africa ni, Giant of Africa ko!

Ogbuefi Ndigbo