Scorned by Trump, many Nigerians love him all the same

By Angela Ukomadu and Libby George
LAGOS, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Hundreds of men and women marched,
clad in T-shirts supporting U.S. President Donald Trump or pink
fabric dresses bearing the image of Jesus, as they waved
American flags, Republican presidential campaign signs, and even
a few Nigerian flags.
The rally, after all, was in Onitsha, a city in eastern
Nigeria.
Trump has disparaged African nations, calling them "shithole
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-immigration-trump-nigeria/nigeria-summons-representative-of-us-ambassador-over-trump-comments-idUKKBN1F424L
countries" and saying Africans would never leave the United
States if allowed in. This year, he added Nigeria and five other
countries when he expanded visa curbs. But millions in Africa's most populous nation love the
bombastic 45th U.S. president all the same.
"President Trump, may we shout for joy over your victory,"
Rev. Daddy Hezekiah of the Living Christ Mission Inc., which
organized the Oct. 25 rally, said in a video.
A Pew Research Center poll in January found that 58% of
Nigerians had confidence in Trump, behind only Israel, the
Philippines and Kenya. A 2020 Gallup poll showed 56% of
Nigerians approved of U.S. leadership, versus 24% for Europeans.
In a posh Lagos eatery, a portrait of Trump in a
gold-trimmed red agbada, a flowing robe worn by Yoruba men,
hangs on the wall. The traditional clothing is a "mark of
respect", said artist Peter Udoakang.
"I made this painting to bring him closer to us," said the
23-year-old, adding that Trump's "radical" approach to governing
appealed to Nigerians, who are used to hustling in a tough
economy to survive.
On a busy Lagos road, driver Michael Onyeonoro said if
Nigeria found a similar leader, the U.S. visa troubles might not
matter.
"If we have a person like Trump...Nigeria will be a better
place to stay," Onyeonoro said. "There will be no need of going
outside the country."