Posted by By Emma Emeozor on
It was a classic event and the mood was electric when Africans including those in the Diaspora gathered at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria to declare their support for United States Senator Barack Obama's bid for the White House under the platform of the Democratic Party.
It was a classic event and the mood was electric when Africans including those in the Diaspora gathered at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria to declare their support for United States Senator Barack Obama's bid for the White House under the platform of the Democratic Party.
Tagged ‘Africans for Obama 08', the event reflected the aspirations of Africans and their concern over American politics. The organizers of the event were tactful enough to choose to hold the event in the restaurant's Fortune Hall to drum home the message that the time of Africa's fortune in the United States has come. Interestingly, the event taking place in Obama's home land coincided with his first official political tour outside the United States.
The chairman of ‘Africans for Obama 2008' and Director General of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke ignited the ‘Obama flavour' in the packed full hall when with charisma and excitement, she said, 'For the first time, our own kinsman, an African-American Senator Barack Obama has scaled up the political ladder of the most powerful country in the world, as the presidential flag bearer on the platform of the Democratic Party."
Continuing, she said, 'Our message is unambiguous - 'They should Vote," referring to qualified Africans in the U.S. She urged guests at the occasion to play the role of foot soldiers, spreading the message of ‘Change, We Can' across the continent. She announced that the event is one in the series of interactive session that ‘Africans for Obama 2008' would hold before the November poll.
Contributing, Vice Chairman of the organization and Head of Mission DAF in Ghana, Ambassador Erieka Bennett said African Americans represent about 36.4 million people in the U.S., explaining, 'The top six African American cities are: New York, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston, and Washington D.C." Erieka said, 'It is indeed appropriate for this movement to begin in Nigeria, being the big brother of Africa, to set the tone." Erieka explained how Nigerians and Africans in general could bring the dream of Obama to reality. 'I challenge all of you today to make calls to all your naturalize family in America and encourage them to go and vote. Send e-mails and SMS. He first thing to ask: Are you registered to vote?"
Vice Chairman, African Diaspora Mission, Ghana, Dr Juliette M. Tuakli drew attention to the socio-economic exploits of the Chinese and Japanese in the U.S., a development that has catapulted them into the limelight in American affairs. 'Years ago, Chinese and Japanese Diasporans who had hitherto been treated as second class citizen began to understand their true potential through flexing their economic and demographic muscle, they built their nation states into dominant world powers of today. The time has come for African Diaspora to do same."