CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS: WASHINGTON TIMES 25^TH ANNIVERSARY.
BY EUCHARIA MBACHU
Washington D.C.

On May 17, 2007 the Washington Times welcomed hundreds of prominent figures at the 25^th.Anniversary Celebration of the paper. It’s founder Reverend Sung Yung Moon had succeeded not only in planting his movement in the United States of America through his followers, but has also established a newspaper that captures the imaginations of many American conservatives who wish to see life patterned after traditional Judeo-Christian thought and practice. Because of Reverend Moon  ’s commitment to the maintenance of the family in this age of dysfunctional families and homelessness many Americans and others from around the globe have identified with the values embraced and propagated by the Washington Times.          

Former President George W.H. Bush delivered the keynote address. The 41st president of the United States at the 25th anniversary gala told his audience that when the Cold War was on, he and President Reagan were endorsed by "a newspaper that would stand for free people." The audience cracked up when he also told them of his three new titles; “a husband, a father and a grandfather”.

This was a great moment for Reverend Moon and the former President Bush . His presentation was inspiring. It brought back the old George Bush with his wit and his doggedness in the heat of battle. Unwilling to kowtow to the liberal media press, the former President told the guests that he engaged in verbal combat with his media antagonists at the New York Times and elsewhere through the subterfuge of his association with the “Anti-media bashers anonymous.” The elder Bush expressed his dislike for the way his ruling son is being attacked in the media and he affirmed categorically his strong fatherly support for ‘little’ George at the White House.

From Left to Right; Chief  (Dr) E. A. O Shonekan, Eucharia Mbachu, Hon. Abdou Daouda, Professor Sulayman Nyang chatting at the VIP Lounge.

The ceremony attracted Africans and other nationalities of high status in the world of diplomacy and international politics. In addition to this high level public support for the anniversary, there is also the much appreciated fact by many Africans living in the Washington area and beyond that every Thursday the Washington Times gives detailed coverage of African affairs.

 In many respects, the 25^t Anniversary Gala was a political performance of the highest degree not only because these prominent personalities came, but because of the circumstances and the history behind their availability and willingness to attend. Three among the impressive list of “Who is who” in the social registry of world politics,   were Chief (Dr.) E.A.O. Shonekan of Nigeria and Bishop Muzorewa, Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in the remaining days of White Settler-rule in self-declared independent Southern Rhodesia and Honorable Abdou Daouda of Niger.

 The journey to this  Gala started over two decades ago for some, and more recently for others. For Chief (Dr.) Shonekan, who led Nigeria at a very critical period in its history when military rule brought in one coup leader after another, culminating with the rise and fall of General Ibrahim Babangida, this event was the consolidation of earlier ties with members of the Washington Times and advocates for World peace who worked with the World Peace Federation. Chief Shonekan joined the list of dignitaries hosted at the VIP floor of the National Building Museum because of his unexpected assumption of the Presidency in Nigeria when the military junta of President Ibrahim Babangida was forced out of power. Committed to peaceful resolution of conflict between northern Nigerians and their southern counterparts, many thought at the time that the wounds created by the political crisis over the June 12, 1993 elections could be resolved by Chief Shonekan and his team. Nigeria was already going through a major crisis because Chief Alhaji Mashood Abiola won the elections but the military under President Babangida was unwilling to hand over power. The country nearly exploded.   

Former President W. H. Bush  addressing the audience during the Washington Times 25the Annivesary Gala

Thank God it did not; Power simply changed hands when General Sani Abacha carried out a coup detat. This was a dull moment for Nigerians. The overthrow of the civilian government of Chief (Dr.) Shonekan once again re-established a military dictatorship in the country. This change of fate for Chief Shonekan and his team was the light of peace that attracted the followers of Reverend Moon who later discovered him at the United Nations.         

 For me and many others who were privileged to participate at the International Leadership Conference the celebration of the Washington Times was an historic moment. Not only has the paper survived, but it has created a definite niche in Washington journalism. Gone are the days when the Times was ignored by left-leaning intellectuals uncomfortable with its emphasis on biblical wisdom and thought and by fearful religious ideologues different with the teachings of its owners and determined to muddy the waters and simultaneously tarnish the founder and his associates. What the likes of Chief (Dr.) Shonekan, do for the World Peace Federation and all other sister organizations at the United Nations and elsewhere in the world, is his determination to stay calm and vigilant. His presence at the anniversary celebration demonstrated to the international participants what elderly statesmen and women from Africa can still do to make a difference where it really counts.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 20.05.2007 08:48