OBAMA’S PRESIDENTIAL TRAVAILS
It is ‘third time around’ for the homeboy! This time, for
business: Global Entrepreneurial Summit, Kenya. Besides the scourge and
travails of coming from one of the minority races in the land of opportunities,
Barrack Obama pursued his dreams to power amidst numerous challenges. There were successes recorded too; but none
of them, according to his autobiographical account was given or thrust on
him. He achieved them by dint of hard
work and detertmination that stood firm for success.
The tremendous work he did in Chicago attracted support to
become the state’s congressman and later a senator. Though he was not the first black senator but
he became the first black senator that became the 44th president of
the United States of America in 2009.
Commentators on his ascendancy to power always refer to his speech
at the California Democrat’s convention in 2004 to be the catalyst to his
recognition of his capacity and political endowment to lead the party. No other person than the present Secretary of
State, John Kerry facilitated the momentum.
His citizenship and legitimacy to contest the presidency
under US constitution was challenged to the Supreme Court and he won. Also his religious
life was called into question, with his Church Pastor Jeremiah Wright
castigated, when he was accused of making racial comment. The alleged racial
comment adversely influenced many to believe that Obama being a member of his
church would be unsuitable to become
neutral and unbiased president.
However, it was one of the Pastor’s sermon that Obama used with
slight adaptation, as title to his best seller book: “Audacity of Hope”. Like
the late minister and motivational author, Dr Myles Munroe noted: “Success is
determined by the opposition a man has encountered and the courage with which
he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” The opposition against Obama’s candidacy was
almost overwhelming, especially from Republican party and far right
groups. Yet Obama overcame all those
odds.
Sometimes negative publicity meant to pull someone down do
turn out to be beneficial. Napoleon
Hill, that great author of “Think and Grow Rich” said: “Every adversity, every
failure brings with it the seed of even greater benefit”. Obama’s case proved that.
When he rose from the ashes of that religious controversy and allegation that he was not a Christian due to his Kenyan family background, mostly
non-christians, he became strong enough to contest the presidency.
His election thereafter broke the jinx that the White House
was ment for white presidents. His
swearing-in was performed twice which made his presidency unique. When a former White House staff, Sarah Fagen
referred to him as “a lame duck” he looked the other way and went ahead to
introduce a new tradition “Easter Prayer Breakfast” at the White House. Christian leaders across American states
gathered in attendance.
Obama administration has been stormy and challenging especially assuming office at the peak of
global economic melt-down. Even though
he commenced with democrat’s majority at the congress and representatives, he
soon lost them to the Republicans due to mid-term elections. He was fortunate to garner enough support to
pass the Obamacare Health Insurance meant to extend health care to more
ordinary Americans who could not afford better health care than ever before.
Since the law came into force he had not slept with his two eyes closed because
Republicans have threatened to repeal the law.
Litigations towards achieving the repeal commenced more than a year ago
and just some weeks ago the president triumphed. But John Borhner, Republican speaker inspite
of the Supreme Court decision in favor of Obamacare , it is still “Aluta
Continua”.
That is not the only success visible on the screen. The first Latina Supreme Court judge in the
name of Sonia Sotomayor nominated by Obama and confirmed congress came with
criticisms which were also overcome.
His campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp
where terrorist and dangerous suspects were detained lingered on into his
second term because of much controversy that trailed the decision. Yet he overcame.
No less controversial was his nomination of Loretta Lynch as
Attorney-General. The criticism and opposition that trailed the nomination
manifested in the dilatory atmosphere that pervaded the congress. As the
nomination tarried, it became quite clear that the congress never liked Mr
President’s candidate a bit.
As Obama visits Africa the third time he would be fondly remembered
for being the first sitting American president to visit Ethopia. Besides, his administration
has maintained a policy of strengthening and empowering regional and sovereign
nations to embrace and practice liberal democracy, through training,
collaboration and exchange of policies and ideas. Those are the value Africa
must take from his visit.
Iyke Ozemena
IKECHUKWU
O. ODOEMELAM & CO
Corporate
Attorneys/Consultants
www.corporateleadersboard.blogspot.com
