U.S. President, Donald Trump, has drawn global ridicule to himself by quoting a line from a Nigerian poem and calling it an Irish proverb.
The President tried to impress Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, who visited the White House as part of St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Thursday, with an Irish proverb. But what he quoted was neither Irish nor even a proverb
“As we stand together with our Irish friends, I’m reminded of that proverb … And this is a good one. This is one I like, I’ve heard it for many many years, and I love it,” Trump said.
“Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue. But never forget to remember those who have stuck by you,” he quoted the proverb.
“We know that, politically speaking. A lot of us know that, we know it well. It’s a great phrase,” Trump added.
According to Google checks by Ventures Africa, the line came from a poem titled ‘Remember to forget’ written by a Nigerian poet, Albashir Adam Alhassan.
Many Irish tweeters also mocked Trump, pointing out that they had never heard that proverb before.
Alhassan, whose parents are from Niger state, was born in Kano in the mid 80s but now works in Katsina as a business manager in First Bank.
He has written other poems such as ‘Why do we die?’ and ‘Season of loneliness.’
The banker cum poet told CNN on Friday that he was surprised his poem had even gone as
far as America.
“My sister just brought the news to me. I didn’t want to believe what she said initially. I posted those things when I was back in school, over 10 years ago. I never thought it would get to this level.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have been a banker, maybe I should have been a poet all my life!” Alhassan added.
Full poem
Always remember to forget, The things that make you sad, But never forget to remember, The things that make you glad.
Always remember to forget, The friends that proved untrue, But never forget to remember, Those that have stuck to you.
Always remember to forget, The trouble that passed away, But never forget to remember, The blessings that come each day.
Always remember to do your duty, And some kindness day by day, But never forget to live a useful and happy life, That is the only way.
