As a Nigerian, I commend Uzodinma Iweala's stout outspokenness ("Africa working to save itself," Second Opinion, July 20) against all so-called philanthropists, official or private, who selfishly exploit the poor of the world, including the "my-country-first" economists, starting with the Henry Kissingers and the crop of fanatical television evangelists since the 1970s.

But Iweala should be among the first to acknowledge that he cannot tar everybody from the West working in Africa with the same brush. And he cannot leave unscathed the endless succession of African leaders, starting with officials as high as national presidents, who should be the foremost patriots but instead drag their countries' names (not to speak of Iweala's and mine) in the mud with their greed and corruption.

It is not too late to start helping our countries in Africa realize their full potential if those of us smarting at the wrongs perpetrated on them from both within and without organize to reform from within, recruiting for this purpose not only the handful of Soyinkas still (hopefully) helping internal reform, but also genuinely altruistic outside contributors like the Ford and Gates foundations when under proper internal management.

Mark Chijioke
Greensboro