PRESIDENT of the United States of America, Barack Obama, blames the upsurge of terrorist groups on the fact that “countries are not delivering for their people, underlining frustrations that have not been adequately dealt with.

Obama took a stand against Nigeria’s employment of military option to tackle Boko Haram when he ruled out military solutions in tackling terrorism, urging governments to give people opportunity, education and resolve conflicts through regular democratic processes, noting that these would make it less likely for terrorism to take root.

Speaking on the importance of youths, Obama noted that in terms of human capital and young people, the greatest investment any country can make, not just an African country, is educating its youth and providing them with the skill to compete in a highly technological, advanced world economy.

Obama , who was in South Africa as part of his week-long visit to Africa, made the positions known yesterday, while fielding question from journalists and youths during a Town hall Meeting with youths from African countries, that countries that do not invest  well on the youth will not succeed,  noting that countries with limited skill will have “problems” in drawing international businesses. He reveals this to be a general problem, even in the United State and not Africa alone.

He said the U.S. is willing to collaborate with Nigeria to train teachers and incorporate technology in the education system. “Across board we are having a rethink in education and work force training. And one of the things we want to do is to partner with a country like Nigeria and identify ways that we can provide direct value added, whether it is in helping to train teachers or helping to incorporate technology into the education process”, Obama said.

The American president also praised his government for making a considerable effort in tackling insecurity and curbing terror with the death of Osama Bin Laden but was quick to recognize the existence of Boko Haram in Nigeria. There is no doubt in the progress we have made in dealing with some extremist groups, for example core Al Qaeda and Bin Laden, he said, stressing that they have been greatly diminished.

He however out point that there is a more regional terrorist organizations like Boko Haram in Nigeria which espouses an extremist ideology, showing no regard for human life.

He admitted that despite not having a transnational capacity like the other organizations, Boko Haram Group is doing great harm in Africa and in the Middle East and in South Asia”.

To curb such uprisings, Obama said that institutions has to put in place, and that lots of what has been said about  responsiveness, governance, and democracy are all but a defense mechanisms against terrorism.

He charged the African union to send peace keeping missions to countries that are likely to have such terrorist cells come up and nip them in the bud before they cause harm, adding that advice, training and,   in some cases equipment, can be provided to such countries.