The significance of Obama’s Victory to Africa.

Americans made a remarkable statement and changed the course of history as they elected their first black president. The world was at a standstill for a man of honor, a man who has demonstrated a good understanding of today’s problem as it affects the common man. What makes Obama Presidency significant is not because he is black; it is because he is one of the black men in the world with dignity, conscience, sense of patriotism and direction.

Obama's model of change has restored the hope of the common man, he has demonstrated a good understanding of the problems that an average American faces and exhibited how best to tackle these problems.
Is it his Tax plan for an even distribution of wealth or his plan to stimulate American economic growth that is not worth appreciating?

In a world widely dominated by the capitalists, I think Obama's plan will go a long way to make the much anticipated effect as regards even distribution of wealth among americans. We will see a different American country that will take back its place as a world leader and a country that will be changed in all ramification.

What lesson can Africa learn from Obama’s Victory ?In a continent where Politicians play to the gallery, engage in Political gimmicks without the interest of the common man at heart, having Obama as American President should be the beginning of an end to the mess which has been the hallmark of Governance in Africa .Imagine the sheer patriotism and passion that characterized the Presidential campaign, who will ever know that a 'common Plumber' will be the centre of attraction during the U.S presidential campaign? The lesson from this is that it is high time our leaders have the interest of the common man at heart; Leadership is not by writing and formulating policies that cannot have the desired effect or by making promises that cannot be fulfilled.

Our leaders should know that modern Governance is beyond God- fatherism, Personal interest and Programs that lack the required bites. Africans at large should see an Obama presidency as a reason for a change in our orientation, a change in the way we think. Most of our problems actually started from our different homes, our upbringing determines what manner of leaders we will become in the future. What manner of leadership will come from a child who was brought up in an environment characterized by Corruption? Our leaders should emulate the American system, the excuse that the systems has been in existence for years doesn’t hold water, having the right people at the helm of affairs is the secret. Africa is blessed with talents, professionals that have made their mark in their respective fields yet we are still faced with fundamental problems. We have idealist and impressionist at the helm of affairs and until the status quo changes, we will still be tagged 'The developing Nations'.

I also watched keenly the support Obama enjoyed from Africans back home, since the day he made his choice known, the Obama Phenomenon is like a bug that has been felt by all, from his native home in Kenya to Nigeria, Obama is widely celebrated. I'm sure some of us did not put so much energy in our respective Countries Election as we have done with the American Presidential election. Yours truly cannot be found wanting, I actively participated in every issues during the campaign, I would have donated to his Campaign organization if not for the fact that donations are not welcomed from non -American citizens.

In as much as we support Obama, of what significance is an Obama Presidency to Africa? Can an Obama presidency solve our electricity problems, improve our education sector, have a meaningful effect on our economy ?After all said and done, I don't think an Obama presidency will bring about the change that we so much desired in Africa. Rather it can only spur our leaders to bring about the desired changes. What do you think is the message he passed when he rejected donations from Nigeria, he is obviously telling us that we should use our money to solve our fundamental problems. It is disheartening that a Professor that knows the value of education will encourage people to pay millions of naira for table reservation for a fund raising dinner when the country's education sector is in a state of decadence, where is our sense of Patriotism? These are people that condemn the education sector, they are the ones that will tell anybody that cares to listen that the Country’s graduates are not employable. it's high time the people up there realize the need to give back to the society, in as much as they have the money to throw around, send their children abroad because they have lost faith in our educational sector, they owe this country so much else the products of the condemned Educational system will end up being the armed robbers next door.

OyewaleOyepeju
Waleoyepeju@yahoo.com