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Nigeria Should Welcome AfricaCom

Ugo Harris Ukandu - 1/8/2008

At this juncture of world advancement, countries and people are coming together more than ever before in the history of human race for positive changes. Globalization has made every village on earth a global village when considering the impact of communication
technologies and interconnectivity of the world in transportation, education, global disasters/relief, democracy, rule of law, banking, internet, trade, commerce and the linkage of people of the world through cultures, music, you tube and the elimination
of borders like as in Europe removing all boundaries within the European Union countries, WTO and the North American Free Trade zones (NAFTA). People and countries are coming together in many different ways in Asia, South America and Europe. Africa needs to do
the same in this century.

In analysing all these developments in improving health standards, economic growth, freedom, democracy, rule of law and improvement in overall standard of living for people of the world. Africa still lacks behind by almost 50 years to developing countries like South Korea and Singapore and 100 years to advanced countries like the Great Britain, Germany, France and the United States in every index of human development and advancement. In a lot of these cases it is not the fault of Africans for this state of affair, but we and our leaders presently also bear a lot of responsibility on the bad state of our continent - Africa.

United States of America projection of power in this century is good for Africa, because Africans have a lot of positive linkage to America in this century. The days of slavery and Jim crow is gone in many ways. linkage to Africa by our people(African Americans)
and the political, economic and cultural power of African Americans in America have achieved despite slavery and its after effect. The large number of African immigrants residing and settling in America is increasing more than anywhere else in the world. Trade, cultural links and investment between Africa and America is increasing. The linkage militarily to the only super power in the world to Africa is needed now for peace, security and economic growth.

The is a power block of African Americans that will defend Africas interest in the US congress, in the American Military and security establishments, in economic linkage to Africa etc. Just look at the contribution to Africa from people of African descent and groups like Opral Winfrey, African American Congress men and women, Congressional black caucus, Collin Powell, Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice and Senator Barack Obama etc to Africa. The Africas linked to America is more powerful than any other continent or people in the world, because of the contribution of Africans in building America since its inception as a nation and continues till today from African labour, music and culture, Southern Africa minerals, Nigeria Oil, Kenyan and Ethiopian Tea and coffee, Ivory Coast Cocoa etc.

Africa debt relief effort was intensified and achieved by African Americans in the US Congress like Congressman Payne from New Jersey, Senator Barack Obama, Congressional Black Caucus, Reverend Jessy Jackson, Ambassador Andrew Young, Reverend Al Sharpston etc. Many African American artist, celebrities, business men and women, sportsmen and women are working hard on behalf of Africa, and the ordinary folks are identifying with Africa on any major national issue like brothers.

Some people have made the point that establishing the American Military command in Nigeria will not be good, since it will betray the non-align nation status of Nigeria as a nation. Disproving that point means looking at all of the non-align nations like India, Eastern European nation, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt etc, you can see that all of them have one military partnership or another with either America, Russia, France, Britain etc. in military procurement, purchase or security arrangements.

All the countries that have American Military base in their Countries are all stable economically, politically and socially and are growing and developing fast, because of the stability and growth projection American Military presence brings. These countries are Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, The Gulf States, Eastern Europeans, Poland. Former American Military bases were in Philippines and Panama etc. All these countries can tell you that American presence stimulates growth and stability.

Outside of Africa, America and Brazil is where we have the largest population of Africans in the world and the most powerful black people on earth. We need to bridge that gap of history to benefit us in this century and beyond. Gods Children will finally come together and one of the most symbolic ways is to establish America Military command in Africa.

Africa needs America Military command in Africa because it will bring stability, economic growth, thereby linking the great American ideals for growth and security, and finally bridging the gap to our brothers and sisters in America.

Look at all these countries listed above and you can see that their growth and stability is because of the American military is a catalyst for positive change.

Nigeria needs it and we are not better by any measure than any of these developed and great countries listed above.