By Sonnie Ekwowusi
A United States congressman, Chris Smith, has rejected a gift presented to him by visiting Honourable Members of the House of Representatives from Nigeria.
Before departure to the US, the Members of the House of Representatives bought a small gift for Congressman Chris Smith, the longest-serving member of the US House of Representatives (He has spent 45 years in the US House of Representatives), to appreciate his scholarship.
However, upon presenting the gift to Congressman Smith, he publicly rejected it, stating that as gentlemen of honour and integrity serving their various constituencies, American legislators do not accept or receive any gift from anybody for their stewardship.
Amazing. We are bringing the rejected gift back to Nigeria. A big eye-opener. A big lesson.
Another thing I found edifying was that the American Senators and Members of the US House of Representatives are very simple and humble people. No airs about them. No pride. No hubris.
Anyway, American democracy has come a long way. Whereas Nigeria celebrates 25 years of kakistocracy, the US shall mark 250 years of democracy next year.
