Godwin Emejuobi: Port Harcourt, Nigeria "God is the help of Africa" Kasozi Lubega: Kampala, Uganda "Gain power without conflict" Ousman Njie: Cairo, Egypt "Reaffirming British interests" Samantha Smit: Lusaka, Zambia "Teachers and textbooks"

Iqbal Jhazbhay: Pretoria, South Africa "Development and stability" Yared Mussie: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia "Uncompetitive in business" Trevor Simumba: Freetown, Sierra Leone "We have to help ourselves first" Amboka Wameyo: Arusha, Tanzania "Africa should be trusted"

Godwin Emejuobi

Africa is a blessed continent with wonderful divine and physical potentials however it is faced with numerous problems.

MEET THE PANEL Name: Godwin Obinna Emejuobi Age: 32 Lives: Port Harcourt, Nigeria Occupation: Administrator, Enymemus Nigeria Ltd. Born: Imo State, Nigeria Religion: Christian Ethnic group: Igbo In 10 words or less: Youth leader, Evangelist, hardworking and ambitious, loves singing and praying

I think Blair's Commission is a good start in the right direction and right timing.

However, this depends largely on Blair's true motives.

I would like to say that poverty has become a cancer difficult to eradicate in the African continent despite the abundant natural mineral resources.

Africa truly needs a stir in the right direction providing her with in-depth educational programs on how to overcome and cure this cancerous disease in her blood stream.

African's sensitive organs have been seriously infected by greed, corruption, selfishness, leadership lapses and wrong orientation, lack of checks and balances on government officials, fraudulent practices and above all, general decadence in the fear of God.

The African leaders need in-depth orientation on leadership.

They need to understand that good communication must exist between the leader and the followers.

Democracy is a government for the people and by the people.

African voices: See where our panel live Enlarge Image

They are chosen by the people to serve the people and not to dictate to the people.

A good leader lives by example and is a role model.

A typical human being has the potential to be greedy and selfish; he is not prepared to give commitment and service for national interest but rather for his or herself.

Unlike what we see in the developed world, Africans should be encouraged and educated on the need for national drive and interest at all levels (individual, corporate, local and national).

I also understood that such was the case with the developed countries before they got to where they are today.

Another problem that is rearing its head is the issue of the recent downtrend of moral values and also decline in the fear of God.

Last week I read on BBC page about equal benefits for homosexuals in South Africa.

This is evil and abominable to the African man.

God is the help of Africa, and He alone can help Africa.

Africa's future is in the hands of Africans, and it is time that Africa rises with one voice and say yes to change.

My personal contribution has been in the area of youth mobilization and education. I meet with youths and engage them with the word of God as a tool to bring out their potentials.

Your comments:

Christianity will educate people that to steal from your neighbour or your country is wrong Lucy, UK

He has a good point. The main reason for Africa's failure is corruption and lack of education. Christianity will educate people that to steal from your neighbour or your country is wrong. It teaches you to look after your neighbour. So Africa and Europe for that matter would benefit from a Christian outlook. Europe is not doing that wonderfully either and has lots of room for improvement as it also suffers from corruption but the people are more educated and can take their leaders to task. God is good and his teachings can only improve life for all in any country.
Lucy in exile, London, UK

I am happy to hear news that supports African society in general and my country in particular. To me Blair's blue print is at the right time and on the right track but what makes me despondent or more hesitant are the incorrigible dictators like President Isseyas that are viruses for Africa in general and for Eritrea in particular, so before you launch the program something must be done on the tyrants otherwise, it will remain hopeful without practical deeds.
Azieb Negash, Eritrea, Asmara

Saying it is only God who will save us will plunge a percentage of our people into more poverty. Talk of negotiation for more returns from our exports. Start with hard work on your side. Talk loudly against corruption in your country. Organise workshops for young people on how to work hard. Many are not aware. In my village planting two trees a day can fetch enough money for school fees in a secondary school after two years.
Kenda Kotiina, Kabale, Uganda

Africa must see that her future is based on a defence of everyone's rights, not just those like us John Sinclair, UK

Africa cannot have a pick and mix future as Godwin wants, you cannot have democracy and wellbeing for some but oppress minorities such as homosexuals. What people do in the privacy of their own homes as consenting adults is none of my business or Godwin's. Africa must see that her future is based on a defence of everyone's rights, not just those like us. We don't want to replace one set of dictatorships with others.

Jesus said love one another, he didn't say love one another... except homosexuals. I am hetero-sexual by the way and have no homosexual friends that I know of but I know about the principles of freedom. Despising other human beings under whatever cover, so-called Christianity in this case, because of gender, race, sexual orientation or whatever is a sign of our own frailties and not theirs. I also class myself as a Christian.
John Sinclair, Dundee, UK

The problem with Africa is corruption and poor leadership. Until we deal with both, we will not move forward. That is why the best minds are leaving the continent. I left Nigeria 11 years ago and I won't be returning to live there. I have established my own immigration law firm in Canada. I wouldn't have dreamed of this back in Nigeria. I would probably be jobless like many Nigerian graduates.
Taiwo Olalere, Ottawa, Canada

Youthful, inspirational and visionary leadership backed by African patriotism will get the commission there Marcel Domayele, Ghana

This commission could be yet another blessing or curse depending on the choice of leadership and experts to man it. If the choice of grey haired septuagenarians becomes the order of the day with the apologetic reasoning that they are experienced enough to do the job, or if the commission is saturated with retired international civil servants then it is dead on arrival. However, youthful, inspirational and visionary leadership backed by African patriotism will get the commission there, otherwise let's spare the British tax payer his money.
Marcel Domayele, Nadowli, Ghana

I agree with your views, what we Africans lack are God-fearing leaders. We have more than our fair share of resources (human, natural etc), but to harness them together seems to be the problem of our leaders who feel they are God-sent (e.g. Obasanjo of Nigeria) and are not ready to listen to divergent views. Indeed, it is only God that can save Africa and Africans.
Jurby, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Africans being hardworking, resourceful people will be able to stand on their own feet Olatunji Reffell, London, UK

I am really angry at we Africans for wasting huge opportunities like this one over and over again. People like Godwin who are supposed to be leaders in the community never ever talk about the real issues for fear of rocking the boat. The real problem with Africa is centred around greed and the quest for power by our so called leaders or chosen ones as they would like to view themselves. Of course this being rather simplistic but I am confident if the scourge of corruption and power quests are defeated, Africans being hardworking, resourceful people will be able to stand on their own feet.

If Tony Blair really wants to help he should talk to the G8, EU, EEA and all other bodies within the developed world to stop African nations' wealth being carted away to numbered accounts in unknown and unseen places. If the problem of corruption in African governments is not adequately tackled no amount of debt relief will change the lives of ordinary Africans.
Olatunji Reffell, London, UK

I am sorry but it is contributions like your own in Africa that is not helping the youth to come out and fight for justice. Enough of this word of God, let us call a spade a spade. Come out and lead the crusade to demand justice from our leaders. Africa can only be saved if sincere Africans are ready to die for the cause of justice. The word of God will not stop public funds being stolen. We must go out and challenge before the word of God will work. His word says, stand up and I will help you.
Chanshilip Matthew, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Indeed, God blessed Africa with tremendous potentials and resources. But I also think that a greater part of Africa's problem is weak and unfocused leadership. Africa is inundated with selfish, greedy and corrupt leaders who have turned our collective wealth to individual and family wealth over the years. My prayer is for God to bless Africa with God fearing, focused leaders who can take the right actions that will take Africa to greatness.
Adindu Egwim, Aba, Nigeria

I understand from where he is coming from. So many of our leaders do not have the fear of God anymore. We Africans have got to regroup ourselves and start to repair all damages. It might take a while, but we can do it, if we truly believe in ourselves. We have so many resources that we have not even tapped into.
Odunayo Soloye, London, UK

I thank you for your write up and comment on Nigerian and African leadership.
Uzoka, Ideato, Nigeria

Give us security African leaders and we'll be back to re-build Africa! Godfrey Ofem, Chicago, USA

Africa needs security. People who earn their keep through hard work, inheritance or even those who got wealthy through corruption must be made to feel that their wealth is safe at home in Africa. All foreign countries (and that includes Ghana as a foreign country if you live in Nigeria) must stop being a haven for banking or investing ill-gotten money that should go into development projects. A secure Africa will see many of her sons and daughters returning home from the lands that do not always welcome them, just because they are Africans. Give us security African leaders and we'll be back to re-build Africa!
Godfrey Ofem, Chicago, USA

Until African leaders stop living like the Kings of Old and come back down to earth, nothing will change. How come only those in elitist positions are the ones who are not poor like the common man?
Kevin, Canada

It gets in the way of the really important stuff - like food, shelter, education, love, happiness, development and art Susan, Harare, Zimbabwe

I believe homosexuals were always there in Africa, or at least in my country. A very long time ago, it was never an issue. We accepted people as they were and moved on as long as no harm took place. Today, this homophobia is something we must put behind us. It gets in the way of the really important stuff - like food, shelter, education, love, happiness, development and art. Besides, how can we move together if we find reasons to persecute others?
Susan, Harare, Zimbabwe

I strongly support this view. Africa's problem is beyond human imagination and its solution can only be provided by God. Originally Cameroon like many other African countries was economically, politically and socially very successful. Then came a group of evils backed by Western nations in the name of a new deal regime headed by president Paul Biya. Since independence, all that has been happening in Africa is a complete mess beyond human imagination. Yet people are being forced to sing praises in favour of most African regimes. God save Africa.
Rexon, Cameroonian in UK/Sweden

One of the reasons why Africa will never move forward is because of the belief that homosexuality is evil. This divides Africans and keeps us in the quagmire of stagnation. Embrace all Africa's children of God so we can move Africa forward.
Kariuki Kariuki, Nairobi, Kenya