United States Senator Barack Obama says he will work with Nigerian leaders to take a more active role in ensuring stability and peace in Africa if he wins the Democratic Party primaries and ultimately the White House.
He said: "Nigeria has so much potential to be a catalyst of change on the continent and I intend to discuss such options with the country's leadership."
Obama, the first African-American lawmaker, is the son of a Kenyan father and an American mother. A fierce critic of former military leaders in Nigeria, he said that the country could be "the beacon of hope for Africa, just as America is to the world's oppressed."
He blamed past leaders for their inability to move the country forward, adding that Nigeria lacked leaders with vision and ability to implement bold reforms.
According to the senator, leadership is about setting goals, inspiring the people to achieve the impossible and moving the country forward,” adding, “sadly, past Nigerian leaders failed to do this." He expressed support for the leadership of President Yar'Adua but called for a reform of the electoral system.
Obama, a presidential canidate in the upcoming election, feels that Nigeria has the power to initiate change all over Africa and has vowed to work with Nigerian leaders to improve the country. Unfortunately, the recent presidents have not set goals and have been rather ineffective leaders. He supports Yar'Adua, but admits the the electoral process must be changed. Hopefully Nigerian President Yar'Adua will live up to Obama's high standards.
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