THE CHRONICLES OF CONAKRY
I am writing this piece from Conakry, capital of Guinea. It’s my first time here, and I’m enjoying it. The locals are friendly. The only snag is that, at this time of year, it seems to rain all the time in Conakry. Of all our West African “Francophone” countries, Guinea remains closest to Nigeria. The country is a member of the West African Monetary Zone, WAMZ, the grouping of English-speaking countries that are pursuing the ambition of a common currency. A fortnight ago President Alpha Condé requested all mosques to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari. When push comes to shove, our Francophone brethren go out of their way to oppose Nigeria in international forums; taking their orders from the Quay d’Orsay in Paris. Guinea has remained a faithful friend, come rain come shine. Those who remember their history would recall that in 1958 the nationalist leader and founding-father president Ahmed Ahmed Sekou Toure led his people to say a resounding “Non” to President de Gaul