Far From the Africa Crowd

The Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver is where a lot of discussions are held every year on many hot button International issues. There was no exception to that rule on Saturday July 23rd, 2007 when a group of Africans across the United States came together to discuss the state of democracy on the continent after the 2007 general elections in Nigeria.

The recent general elections in Nigeria saw the ascent into power of many new faces in the Nigerian political landscape. Most notable amongst the new faces is Nigeria’s newest president, Musa Yar’Adua. The arrival of Yar’Adua and other developments throughout Africa, especially talk about leadership or the lack thereof throughout the African continent, is what spurred the contentious discussion at the DU cyber café’.

Leading the charge was Sam Omatseye, Nigerian columnist, who is also chair of comet newpapers based in Lagos. Mr. Omatseye recently covered the general elections in Nigeria and appeared less than optimistic about the future of his country given the history of manipulation by Nigerian politicians-past and present.

In the same manner, Pius kamau, Denver Post Columnist and Thoracic Surgeon, castigated many Africa leaders for failing to deliver for their people while building paradise for themselves on earth. He qualified Africa’s leadership crisis to a mental health issue that should be dealt with very quickly before it is too late. Other speakers were Dr. Sam Desouza of Qwest Communications, Dr. Kelechi Kalu of the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Denver and Dr. Ehi Abgaohe of the Tarrant County College of Dallas, Texas.

The occasion featured a question and answer session that turned out to be a frank exchange of differences of opinion and approaches about how Africans wanted the continent’s problems handled. As expressed throughout the discussions, there was a call for dialogue amongst Africans in Africa and the Diaspora community, a call of action and not mere talk and for more opportunities for future discussions about the affairs of the continent.

The theme of the event was Building Sustainable Democratic Culture in African States. It was sponsored by Africa Today Associates, the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the Friends of SAM.
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“The Revolution will not be televised” as a phrase has been used widely, and in many occasions it is about the stark revelation that technological change is coming to our door steps. It has also been used as titles in poems and films dating back to the 1960′s and 70′s. Most recently political analysts have coined the phrase to fit the silent revolution going on in Venezuela after Hugo Chavez outlawed Radio Caracas television which had been critical to his leftist government. When radio Caracas was banned, little did the Venezuelan goverment know that the same TV station would soon re-emerge and start broadcasting on YouTube.

Remember Joe Trippi who was the internet guru for Haward Dean during his 2004 run for US president? Mr. Trippi later wrote a book called ‘The Revolution will not be televised: Democracy, the internet and the overthrow of everything.” The book came out in the wake of what is now an internet revolution and the world of information technology we all live in.

The real substance of the revolution will not be televised means that a lot of things are taking place in our day and age and which have significant impact on our lives but which, for good or for bad, are not being reported or shown on what we used to call TV.

We’ll, one such event happened on Saturday June 9th, 2007, albeit silently, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Denver. A group of Africans calling itself African Heritage Foundation, led by Mohamadou Cisee, a native of Senegal came together for a fund raising dinner that would benefit school children in the Senegalese communities of Bargny, Diorbivol and Keur Samba Kar. It was a scanty 75 to 100 people that showed up for the event. However, the memories and stories narrated date back almost 10 years when tradegy struck the African community in Denver.

Beginning with Stephanie Riggs, former News Anchor for CBS4 Denver to Mohamadou Cisee and to Dr. Jim Jackson of Project CURE, everyone heard recollections of the “senseless murder” of Oumar Dia at a Denver bus stop in November 1997. What Stephanie recalled was not just the brutal act of murder of a young man but what is now a legacy of gifting by the people of Denver to Senegal.

The death of Oumar Dia, a house keeper at the Denver Hyatt Regency downtown at the time, has since turned into opportunities where top leaders in Denver, where Oumar Dia lived, have all poured out their hearts and souls to help those he loved back in his native Senegal. The pouring out of support for Oumar’s community has included trips and donations to Senegal ranging from donations of medical supplies by Project CURE, and the construction of water facilities to help the people of Senegala and visits by a delagation of Denver city officials to Senegal.

“You can’t stop spreading the word about what needs to happen in Africa”, “There is nothing as a hopeless situation” Stephanie Riggs said at the June 9th occasion, after noting the joyous celebrations and greetings that she received when she visted Senegal a few years ago.

To recognize the work that Mohamadou Cisse has done for Senegal and rural communities where Omar Dia came from, he was awarded a honorary doctorate of humanities by the Denver Institute of Urban Studies. Representing the institute was Dr. H. Malcolm Newton of who presented the certificate to Mohamadou Cisee.

The event wrapped up at about 8 PM MST.