Africans for Obama 2008

A group, Africans for Obama 2008, led by the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, yesterday at a world press conference in Lagos launched the Nigeria chapter of the campaigns for Senator Barack Obama, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party for the forthcoming presidential election in the United States of America. Okereke, Chairman of Africans for Obama 2008, said the group was galvanizing support for Obama, the first African-America to contest the U.S.A presidency because of the cultural affinity he shares with Africans. She pointed out that for the first time in history; an African-American has scaled up the political ladder of the most powerful country in the world, as the Presidential flag bearer on the platform of Democratic Party. She said, the feat achieved by Obama was no mean achievement, and therefore urged Africans and Nigerians in particular to take pride in the evolution of history by identifying with his aspirations. She said it was against the backdrop of beckoning history that the group of concerned citizens of African extraction gathered under aegis of Africans for Obama 2008, to drum up support for the candidate. She, however, disclosed that the group was not partisan, but was out to organize the forum as a way of creating more awareness in the African setting in general and for Africans in Diaspora in particular to exercise their voting right. The message, she added is unambiguous, it is simply a call for people to sensitize their families and relations in America to vote. "We are also not out to raise funds to support Obama, we are simply Africans who regard the unfolding development as a pride to the black continent". "Some people may argue that the forum is unnecessary because of perception in some quarters that votes from third world do not really count in the U.S.A politics. We are dismissing this with the wave of hand and urging our brothers and sisters in Diaspora to vote. It is heartwarming to note that five million of the Africans in Diaspora fall within voting age." Other members of the group including, Dr. Modupe Tuakli and Dr. Erieka Bennet challenged Africans to make calls to all their relations in America and encourage them to go out and vote saying, "Send emails and SMS. The first thing you do is ask, are you registered to vote?" Guests at the occasion included former governor of Akwa-Ibom, Obong Victor Attah, former presidential candidate, Olapade Agoro and ace broadcaster, Mr. Bisi Olatilo. news by Soji Oyinlola LEADERSHIP sat. 19 july 2008 www.leadershipnigeria.com