Complied by Emeka Chiakwelu strategist@afripol.org
(1). Oprah Winfrey: She has given so much to Africa. From the school she built for girls in South Africa to the showcasing of the plights of children in Africa.
(2). Angelina Jolie: A Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations, commissioner for Refugees. Her frequent travels to Africa‘s hot spots including Sudan, Liberia, Ethiopia have shown her continuous devotion to humanity and amity to Africa. Recently, she adopted an Ethiopian child, making it the second adoption. The first to a Cambodian child.
Ms Jolie has visited many refugees camps and participated in dialogue of making life more ease for children around the world and Africa in particular. She said "Africa is beautiful, marvelous, smart people, strong people … It’s magnificent and it has so much hope, so much possibility."
(3) Danny Clover: A humanitarian and social activist. He was named a United Nations Development Program Goodwill Ambassador in 1998. In one of his movies, he exposed the evil of Apartheid South Africa with his co star Mel Gibson. He is a board member of Trans Africa, an organization committed to Justice for Africans around the world. He has committed time and resources to many African causes.
(4) Will Smith: He has become so close to Africa that you hardly see Nelson Mandela without him somewhere in the vicinity. Mr. Smith had played an active part in the Mandela war against AIDS and POVERTY.
(5)Brad Pit: Nothing about him will give him in as a friend to Africa. But this man is a great soul that is committed to helping sick children in Africa. He is part of Nelson Mandela campaign and awareness on HIV and AIDS in South Africa.
(6) Stevie Wonder: A pillar for Africa. He is in everything and anything to do with Africa. Stevie Wonder fought against Apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. He participated in WE ARE THE WORLD & LIVE AID FOR AFRICA concerts.
(7) Bob Geldof : Africa will forever be grateful to this great Irish soul. Geldof an Anti-poverty campaigner organized the LIVE AID ‘85 & LIVE 8. Geldof sees no boundary in human affairs and his humanity has no bound. A great friend of Africa. He was nominated for 2006 Noble Peace Prize Award and he serves to win in the future.
(8) BONO of U2 : In true sense of it, he is a humanitarian and philanthropist. A debt cancellation activist for poor nations. He devoted his music, resources and time to save lives in Africa.
(9) Quincy Jones: Before charity cause for Africa becomes hip, Mr. Q was ahead of the game. He understood Africa and her problems. When drought and famine roamed the horn of Africa especially Ethiopia, he organized WE ARE THE WORLD concert.
(10) Don Cheadle : He starred in the movie RWANDA HOTEL, that delineated the genocide in Rwanda. Don have been to the hot spots in Africa including Sudan. He has recounted his observations to the US Congress.
(11) Chris Tucker: A perfect gentleman and a great friend of Africa. On his initiative he had studied about Africa’s problems. Tucker has engaged in the battle against Aids and poverty in the Africa. He has accompanied former Secretary of State Collin Powell to the continent to encourage economic development . He has traveled widely and extensively in Africa including South Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon and many others.
12) George Clooney: A humanitarian who actively participated in "live 8," which drums attention to poverty in developing world.. He supports the ONE campaign which called attention to poverty in Africa and the detrimental ramification of African foreign debt. He subscribe to the philosophy that poverty can be significantly reduced in Africa by increasing international aid, debt remission and fair trade.
13) Mia Farrow: Mia Farrow is a great humanitarian who has carried her mission to Africa and world over. She has traveled frequently to all the hot spots in African including Darfur, Sudan, where she witnessed the on going genocide and stand up against destruction of lives of children. – As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador she has been to Haiti, Chad, Central African Republic and visited all the refugee camps in all troubled African nations. She is a great advocate on behalf of children all over the world and have adopted many destitute children. Mia Farrow have been to US capitol Hill (The congress) to lobby for children of Darfur and disinvestment from Sudan. While many Africans and their leaders are careless about the well being of their people, she has devoted her life in bringing smile, comfort and relief to millions of children around the world especially in Africa.
Emeka Chiakwelu is the Principal Policy Strategist at Afripol Organization.
Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center (Afripol) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa. www.afripol.org