AFRICA

 Mr.Samuel Dike

 Ambassador for Africa

Ambassador Dike

Samuel Dike was born in Tyler, Texas and is the son of Nigerian immigrants. Samuel attended the University of Houston where he studied government, served as President of the Student Government Association, and also as an intern in Texas Legislative Internship Program.  Samuel then worked as a Community Liaison in the Division of Administration and Finance at the University of Houston.  Samuel now works for Houston City Council and also serves on an advisory board for a community center supporting the culturally diverse neighborhoods of Gulfton and Sharpstown in Southwest Houston. Samuel is committed to promoting a peaceful and just environment for all humanity regardless of race, religion, or political preference. As an Ambassador for Africa with Peace Worldwide Organization, he is excited to promote awareness for freedom, democracy, and world peace.

Tunisia: 
The Birthplace of the Arab Spring

Tunisia  

Northernmost Country in Africa (Shown in Green)

    The Arab Spring in the Middle East energized the world. Many of us watched as the Tunisian men and women, both young and old, stood side-by-side, and demanded their unalienable rights. The spillover into Egypt was just icing on the cake.  We congratulate the people of Tunisia and Egypt for their courage and bravery. 
          The Arab Spring also reminded us in the West to appreciate our rights and privileges. And, it gave hope to those who live under oppressive regimes, dreaming that someday they may also be privileged to emulate it in their own countries. 
          Today, I am deeply concerned that the powerful masses that led to the removal of the old regimes are now being distracted, crying for revenge and some others are stirring up sectarian conflicts. In Tunisia, some are shouting to punish Ben Ali and his collaborators. In Egypt, some are screaming to punish Hosni Mubarak and his associates. 
          Vengeance is a cancer in the soul that destroys all virtues. No family or organization can flourish through vengeance. No nation can survive long if her people are divided and revengeful. Much of Africa is doomed in misery for giving lip service to freedom but competing in retaliation. 
          My friends in Tunisia and Egypt, if you truly want a representative government that listens to your grievances with compassion, then you must give it first. You could forgive those who have done you wrong and put your focus on building a compassionate nation. I truly believe that you have a historical opportunity to build a nation that every other nation in the region will look up to with high esteem. You have the power to become the vehicle of change in the region. 
          As for the sectarian squabbling in Egypt, it is scandalous. How can a people whose salutation is peace get drawn into such disgraceful conduct! It takes all kinds of people to make a country work. How about putting aside your ethnic bickering and uniting to build a nation that you deserve to have! 
          Listen to how Ali, one of history’s most just and compassionate rulers, advised his Egyptian Governor Malik; he said: “You must know that the people over whom you rule are divided into classes and grades, and the prosperity or welfare of each class of the society individually or collectively is so interdependent upon the well-being of the other classes that the whole set up represents a closely woven net and a reciprocal aspect, one class cannot exist peacefully, cannot live happily and cannot work without the support and good wishes of the others.”

Salaam Alaikum – May peace be with you!

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