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HISTORY
WAS MADE
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DR. JUDE IHEOMA, CHAIRMAN OF AFRICOM DURING THE ACANA 2003 AFRICAN FESTIVAL HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES ON AUGUST 9, 2003
COMPLETE TEXT
BELOW
AE:
My name is Oliver Oscar Mbamara of www.AfricanEvents.com. This is the 2003
ECHOES OF AFRICA (ACANA and AFRICOM) African festival holding in Philadelphia this 9th day of August 2003. My colleague, Felix Nnorom and myself are here with Dr. Jude Iheoma of AFRICOM. Sir, please have the honor of formally introducing yourself.
JI:
Yes, my name is Dr. Jude Iheoma, the chairman of AFRICOM.
AE:
Thank you for agreeing to grant us this interview regardless of your busy schedule. I can see that you are very involved with the event, which is moving at a high and impressive pace.
JI:
Thank you for having me. Yes, I am really involved with the activities. It is a big event for us and for Philadelphia. But we also know that African Events.com is doing big things for Africans and the image of Africa. I am therefore glad to grant this interview.
AE:
Thank you very much. Without wasting time, permit me to ask, what is AFRICOM? We are here at the invitation of Voffee Jabateh, the ACANA Coordinator and we are familiar with Swarray productions, but please tell us about AFRICOM.
JI:
AFRICOM is a concept dreamed by African leaders in the Philadelphia area. We had a congress in 2001 and it was agreed that we had to form the Coalition of African organizations, and the purpose of this organization is to get all the African Organizations
under one umbrella. That is what we are doing now. Even though ACANA is doing this today, it is still under the umbrella of Africa. We come in to support such organization without taking away their independence.
AE:
So how does one contact AFRICOM?
JI:
You can contact us through me, through ACANA, or our website which will be ready very soon.
AE:
Despite the rain, the spirit is still very high here today. The event seems well appreciated by the Public. So, what is the idea behind today’s event?
JI:
Well, I will say that the Honorable Jannie L. Blackwell has started the ball rolling. A lot of people have conceptualizing about the African and American unity, but today is the first time in the history of this country that an African American elected official has actually come into the community recognize the African immigrants in the city. We want to do is annually. If Africans work together they can achieve a lot for the continent of Africa. So this is a really great day.
AE:
I can notice. It also appears that a lot of people are in agreement with this idea. Who are the other people behind this event?
JI:
Actually, the ACANA group is a vital part of this activity. We are not in competition but we support each other.
AE:
What do you mean when you say “we?”
JI:
By we, I mean the African immigrants in the city of Philadelphia. In other words, all African Americans. Whether we are Africans of origin or Africans that migrated here, I mean all-inclusive community. Our activities represent all Africans.
AE:
That is quite evident from the crowd. An interesting blend. We wish you the best.
JI:
Thank you. Enjoy yourself and keep up the good work.
AE:
Certainly, and thank you again.
INTERVIEW BY: Oliver
Mbamara, Esq. and Felix Nnorom, July 12, 2003 |
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