We all can agree, and the United Nations has affirmed, that the right to basic education is a fundamental Human Right. However, this right remains a lingering and ever-growing mirage for millions of African children who have been deprived of this fundamental Human Right. From Nigeria to Namibia, millions of children dot the streets hawking goods instead of being in classrooms. In Ivory Coast, children work the cocoa farm instead of being in the classroom to the benefit of multinational companies who make use of this raw material, an act that essentially promotes child labour. Children are the vanguards of tomorrow, the hope of every nation. How can Africa strive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of the UN if it can’t afford to keep its children in school? Children should be provided with the enabling environment to thrive and to succeed. Children should be supported as well as empowered to achieve their greatest human potentials. These innocent children, even in the harshest of situations know nothing but smiles. We all need to take a bold stand against the relegation of children, a trend that would create illiterate majority in the African continent. There can never be meaningful development in Africa without a population that is well educated, inspired, informed and then challenged. One can argue that education is a vital key to unlock the gate of success in virtually all aspects of human endeavour and aspiration. If this is the case, how can we unite, from Africa to America, to bring this growing concern to the fore? What can we do to persuade these despotic leaders to invest in their people, their future? How can we persuade African leaders to immerse themselves in the waters of selfless leadership and empathise with the inert desires of their people? These children roaming the streets of Africa have the same hopes, dreams and aspirations as any other child in Europe or America, but have remained hopeless and helpless because of the inaction and mismanagement of national resources that is endemic in Africa. I believe that we at TIG, out of concern for our common humanity, can write a formal petition to African governments, one at a time to begin to look at local and international partnerships that would help put more children in the classroom. What do you think?

There is no doubt racial discrimination oppresses and alienates people, even in their own countries. But I wonder if this internalised anger and frustration is one of the driving forces behind domestic and growing international terrorism. And if this is the case, what and how can the youth begin to make impact in this growing international threat? People deserve to live in freedom and liberty without undue fear of being attacked, even in their own door steps. Children deserve a chance in life, particularly a chance to achieve their greatest human potentials. What is the role of religion and culture in global terrorism? It is high time the youth engaged in a multinational, multicultural and multi-religious discussion to address this growing local and international concern called TERRORISM. Once again, do you think racial discrimination is a factor that spurs international terrorism?

My extensive research shows that the number of Non-governmental Organizations have far out-grown government agencies in most developing nations. Is this really a good thing? It is hard to decipher the intent of most of these organisations as they parade themselves as army of change, with emphasis on the vulnerabilities of their population. A large number portray themselves as advocates for the masses and champions of numerous geo-political causes. This has become an impetus for fund-raising and solicitations that may after-all not be used in a way that benefits anyone except the founders who have essentially become entrepreneurs and not Human Rights activists. This trend is appalling, and it is imperative to invest any funds or contributions received in the name of non-governmental causes to issues that confront our communities. I don't know what people's experiences are with thousands of NGO that dot the corners of their countries. It is accountability time, and organisations that operate in diguise to scam donors will be publicised as soon as this research is concluded. Please tell me about your experiences with NGO's in your countries. Are they doing what they claim to be doing? My particular interest is on those ‘fly by night’ mini sole proprietorships that have become celebrated global beggars in the name of NGO’s for one form of social change or another.