OBAMA and the New World Order


Every nation desires true leadership and only change can bring such dream to the realm of materialization.
Barack Hussein Obama, 47, was elected the 44th President of the United States of America amidst euphoric reaction from every part of the world. Even foes were forced to express their amazement at the turn out of what could be regarded as one of the greatest campaigns in the history of the United States.

His fever was everywhere, from the music group called Obama in Japan, to recipes in France called Obama cakes and all. It was indeed a defining moment after eight years of tension created by the Bush administration which has been adjudged as one of the most unpopular government in American history.


In his book, Audacity of hope which he wrote after becoming a Senator at the US Senate, he had stated his intention to reach voters directly, explain choices in a truthful fashion as he knew with hopes of bringing their instincts of fairplay and common sense around. In his exact words he said:

“I have come to the notion that politics could be different and voters want something different. That they are tired of distortions, name-callings, and sound bites solution to complicated problems. But if I could reach the voters directly, frame the issues as I felt them, explain the choice in as truthful fashion as I knew how, then the people’s instinct for fair play and common sense will bring them around”

Indeed, his campaign was a symbolic representation of a new era in the politics of the United States fulfilling the dream of the founding fathers and of Martin Luther King Jnr., Civil Rights Activist whose “I have a Dream” speech has culminated into a dream which majority believe has finally materialized. The man at the centre of the ovation, Barack Obama has since been sworn in on the 20th of January 2009.

There’s a huge sense of hope in the air given his tremendous campaign promises which was centred around bringing back hopes of possible change in the United States and indeed around the world, at least given the country’s reputation in the world. One specific achievement of h is campaign was its ability to create a new image for the United States around the world as against the battered one that was in place in the last eight years. The campaign’s all inclusive character was also a plus to the success; engaging individuals of all age group.

The election has come and gone. President Obama had made it to the White House; the ball is now in his court to lead the change. In his Inaugural speech, he reaffirmed his commitment to the course of revitalizing the United States from the worst economic crisis that has ever befalling the nation in its history, inspired and called citizens to service of the nation as a means of uniting forces together to create change. He also charted the course to the country’s foreign policy sending signals to both friends and foes, a determinant factor to what the world should expect in the next four years from the world’s most prosperous and powerful nation.

In his words, he said “We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.” This will be a major reflection of the course of the world for the next four years if not eight.
However, the past few weeks has proven that policy making does not lie in the hands of the executive arm of government alone. While Republicans are hell-bent on ensuring tax break for wealthy corporations, Democrats are concerned with relieving the average citizen of the misery of loosing their homes, jobs and health insurance. The stimulus package which the Obama administration is seeking to be passed to enable those promises be met is currently being ‘warred’ upon. Equally, his assistants’ pick is also currently under intense scrutiny. With one wrong pick to his kitty, the passage of his other assistants may not be rosy.

Reactions from Russia, to the middle-east and to Asia are beginning to depict that the tension is been doused, with Russia reversing on its earlier aggressive measures against the United States planned missile defense system in Europe, Iran’s willingness to cooperate given the US’s intention to dialogue with the former without pre-condition and the renewed quest by the US to broker peace in the middle-east.
All these have been within President Obama’s 100days in office. In my opinion, the world is gradually adjusting itself to the Obama change. Its course (Obama administration) will be significant in the years ahead. The American people are more than hopeful that this change will last the test of its might if it follows the course it promised during the campaign trail.

For us in Africa, apart from the hands of favourable foreign policies that may be extended to us, the greatest of all the tides that this change brings is the lesson it truly symbolizes. Whether some quarters are jubilant at the prospect of having a fellow black man in the White House or not, the lessons is that change is possible and sacrifices have to be made to create this change. The greater lesson is the equal opportunity that is bestowed on every citizen irrespective of class, ethnicity, and religion. That was major factor that gave the son of a Kenyan immigrant and a divorcee the opportunity to rise to become the 44th President of the most powerful nation in the world. It is a great lesson, equal opportunity to all. We must begin to invest in today and ensure that the right ingredients are administered for the success of tomorrow.
If it’s worth the risk, then we should take it. Risks are not to be avoided but to be managed.

Kayode Ajayi-Smith
Youth Action Ambassador
Young People We Care