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IS AFRICA TRULY A DARK CONTINENT?
There are so many misconceptions about Nigeria and Africa that have taken root in the minds of most Westerners and other people of the world. I mean, why is it that when we are asked who has seen a lion or any wild animal, all eyes turn to the Nigerians or Africans to give them an accurate description of what they look like?
In my unprejudiced conclusion, the only image of an African country many Westerners have is one where the people spend their time hunting for lions, or better yet, a place where cannibals still roam about looking for people to devour. I have met up with many Westerners who still believe that snakes and some other wild reptiles are walking alongside with people in Africa. Even to some extent, some still believe that these reptiles are sharing a room with people in Africa, and this gives them the impression that Africa is a Dark Continent.
I'm also very sure that many Westerners will seem to have a stroke or heart attack, when told that many African kids are raised on books like Animal Farm, Romeo & Juliet, Enid Blyton's "Famous Five" etc. Imagine it was a surprised thing for my mates when I told him that many of these English literature books are being read in most Africa countries. He never believed when I told him that TV programs like The Cosby Show, Sesame Street, Passions and The Bold and the Beautiful are all being regularly viewed by most Nigerians and some Africans.
Whereas most Nigerian guys will absolutely refuse to step out of the doors of their houses if they are not in the latest Sean John outfit and shoes just like many American guys and some other Westerners. Could you all believe that my British friend was completely out of words when I told him that many of the English football teams like Arsenal FC, Manchester united, Chelsea FC, Newcastle FC, Liverpool FC are being viewed on live broadcasts in most of the African nations. He never believed that Africans do view UEFA Champions Leagues at all, and all his thoughts were that "they read about it". The fact that most African countries are developing does not in any way mean that we don't have things like cable, satellite dishes and health clubs.
And of course, many African cities like Lagos, Cairo, Johannesburg, Dakar, Port-Harcourt, Tunis, Tripoli, Casablanca, Durban, etc are just like New York and many other Western Cities in many aspects: the people, the buildings, the over-crowded streets. But the problem is that non-of the Westerners do hear much about it except when there's a flood, terrorist attack or something else. It is because of the negative image that Nigeria and Africa as a whole have been given in the past, sometimes with good justification, but more frequently not, that many Africans are afraid of associating themselves with their roots.
Just take a look at our music: you will see the Western influence everywhere we go. Some Africans even refuse to wear their native clothes and sing their native songs, which they should be proud of. And generally most Africans fail to embrace their culture simply because they have been taught and told by those who know no better that anything that has to do with their African culture or tradition is dirty, barbaric, outdated and bad.
The uncultured way of thinking of many Africans also has to be perfectly addressed because in most African homes (including those Africans abroad), as you hardly see any item or thing that is symbolic of Africa culture, even rarely to hear them speaking their native language very well. But when it comes to English grammar, you will hear them speaking as if they were being raised by the Queen of England herself.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say Westerners or Americans are to be blamed for any of this. I'm just trying to show how the powerful Western media has negatively affected some Africans.
But who knows perhaps the slumbering giant of Africa will wake up to her responsibilities, and the dark continent, as Africa is called, will finally see the breaking of a new dawn.
written by: Adeyemi Adisa
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AFRICAN LEADERS: I'M SORRY FOR YOU...
From every perspective, leaders in Africa nations are indeed the ones better known to be brutal, wicked, barbaric, crooked and anti-development because of their egocentric, corrupt and "I -care-for-myself" attitude. What an unfortunate situation we African youths found ourselves in the hands of these so-called leaders!
I personally consider myself as well as other African youths; I mean our generation, very ill fated as a result of the situations in our various nations. Or how can we explain a situation whereby our leaders failed to make all those pretty promises made before us prior to the election a reality? What sort of predicament is this? Can we say that our leaders are biting the fingers that once fed them? What do you think?
To the best of my knowledge, leaders in African nations are the architects of all those misfortunes that are befalling us. I think I am talking sensibly because problems in all African nations take their roots from the crass negligence of our leaders. Without any gainsay, the lapses on the part of our leaders paved ways for all these misfortunes that befall African nations and if proper care is not taken; if we failed to address the issue now; if we continued holding our jaws like this, there is no doubt, there will definitely be problems upon problems and future of Africa youths will remain drab, bleak and cloudy.
In the previous years, many African nations have witnessed civil unrest, chaos, injustice where citizens were brutally killed and unjustly incarcerated by our supposed "leaders." The state of affairs in most nations in Africa is extremely unbearable and living there is as the same as living in hell. I am really sorry for you all who in one way or the others were involved in unleashing terror, perpetual traumas and affliction on innocent souls. Your children will definitely share from this; it is not a course but the truth because our generation and the unborn generations will never forgive you.
Economically, Africa nations are not in parity with others in the continents despite the fact that we have virtually all the natural resources that can generate funds and facilitate sustainable developments in our disposal. From southern to northern African; from western to eastern and even central Africa, there is no nation excluded in God's endowment in terms of natural resources. We have petroleum at a large quantity in the North of the continent and along the coastal areas of West Africa. Apart from this, other natural resources like gold, diamond, bauxite, aluminium, uranium, copper etc. are heavily sufficient in the continent. Then why must we suffer at the expense of all these naturally given resources?
In fact, our continent should have been in parity with others if leadership problem is completely solved and/or eradicated. Or how can we explain a situation where by a continent blessed with evergreen vegetation and with friendly weather confronts problems of food shortage? The levels of corrupt practices in Africa nations overshadow the pace at which we developed economically, and because our leaders have inculcated shady habits, their mission is to make money for their own use and not for the whole nation.
Our continent today is where the fittest survive because as the rich squabble, the poor are getting poorer. More than a billion people still live on less than 1 dollar a day in the world and 70% are in Africa, where aids and poverty stalk the land. Despite a decade of global prosperity, African nations are even poorer now than in 1990s. Whose fault? To be honest, our leaders must be called to their right senses and proper steps must be taken to ensure that they are actually brought back to book after their tenure of office.
Politically, Africa is a wicked place to live because our democratic government is different from that of other civilised nations as conditions necessarily needed in a democratic society are grossly lacked. What sort of democracy do we have when rule of law, supremacy of the law, equality before the law and fundamental human rights are not considered as prerequisites in our democratic societies? Why must we celebrate democracy in Africa when injustice, austerity, incarceration without trials, killings of innocent souls, poverty as a result of unemployment etc are freely flowing just like stream water in our nations?
Not only that, education in Africa is as old as city of Rome. African youths are confronted with stress before the completion of their various programmes, as studying in African nations is an elephantine task. Students are forcefully glued to the belief that they must face with numerous difficulties such as harsh environment and many others. Apart from the ill-ventilated and dilapidated buildings, most of our higher institutions of learning are not wired for electricity or do not get supply. I begin to ask what have been the efforts of our so-called leaders to give the kiss of life to the collapsed structure in education sector. They have done virtually nothing but rather systematically destroyed good foundations properly laid by their predecessors.
Even if you are educated, where will you work after all you have spent and gone through in realising your dreams? Our leaders have failed to create new jobs and this has made the youths to be restless and easily used for dirty uncivil acts. There are many graduates with good qualifications and authentic certificates but no where to make a do of the knowledge they have got. What sort of unfortunate is this?
May God come to our aids in getting rid of these so-called leaders. Amen
written by: Adeyemi Adisa |
NIGERIA AND HER PROBLEMS: WHERE HAVE WE GONE WRONG?
On October 1st 2002, Nigeria celebrated her 42nd Independent Anniversary in a grand style with nothing to actually prove our existence as a sovereign nation. Since Nigeria's independence in 1960, we have virtually got nothing to juxtapose the Nigeria of today and of the 50s. Gone are the days when we had leaders that were actually ready to look after us; the days to reckon with in the history of Nigeria's development and advancement; the days when the first television station in the whole continent of Africa was commissioned in Ibadan; the days when Papa Awolowo (of blessed memory) introduced first and best-ever free education throughout the Western Region of Nigeria.
Also: the days when without oil; government had enough money to better the lives of Nigerians; the days when our economy was almost in the same pace with that of England and many other developed countries, when one naira equalled one pound. But since then, what have we got from our new bred and hungry politicians? Have we got any one to consolidate the feat achieved by the likes of late Pa Awolowo, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and others?
The most painful aspect of it all is that our present politicians who are supposed to plan the way out of this mess are only legislating and executing projects meant for their stomachs. Our present political leaders are too insentive to lead people and are not ready to save the life of millions of Nigerians dying of starving and other curable diseases. No wonder all these calamities are befalling the country. And still, they are seeking for means to contest for second term despite the fact that they all performed below par. It always leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth to know that both Federal Houses of Assembly (Upper and Lower) harboured the creme-de-la-creme in corruption and robbery industries.
From analytical point of view, government should always look back to see where they have gone wrong. Most of the government officials including Obasanjo himself who were seen travelling all over the world just like locust should stop as from this moment. They should, for God's sake, stay at home to address the mounting domestic problems of the country because the situation in the country needs urgent remedy. We produced oil just like pure water and yet there is nothing to justify the millions of barrels of oil Nigeria exports on daily basis.
How are we going to survive when our buccaneer leaders are not ready to look after us---but just dabble into the ventures that can fetch them money meant to be pocketed. Most of our emerging politicians are corrupt, criminal etc and they belong to aristocracy of Nigerians, the ones I severely despise and the kind of breed we need to kick out of our country's political arena just like France did in the French revolution of the 18th century. Our politicians endorsed corruption, embezzlement and mismanagement, and then wondered why Nigeria has not moved forward since independence. They looted our fund and milked our treasury to dry, and then turned a blind eye to the striking poverty in Nigeria (of which they are the major cause) and acted like poor and innocent people. They are vermin---the main enemies of the country.
Nigerians though, had planted corruption long ago and now are consumed by the result. No doubt, the wind of corruption that is blowing in the country is affecting all the states in the country and I keep on thinking, how and when Nigeria will move forward while these criminals are still in the system. The inability of our present political leaders to find solutions to the problem of corruption in Nigeria is a big failure. And, it will remain with us, since our past leaders have inadvertently overlooked them.
Taking a look at education in Nigeria, it is so cheap that it's worth paying for and exorbitant amount of money is always charged on students before they graduate. Not only that, they encounter the problem of unemployment immediately they completed their one year National Service, and this and other factors enabled them to indulge in robbery and other offensive and outrageous activities. Many of the armed robbers are graduates of recognised institutions of learning with good command of English but there is no place for them to work and put what they have been taught into practice. How are they going to survive having written applications time without number and never be considered even once?
Social amenities in Nigeria are insufficient for the people. There is no good running water, good health care, good road and communication network in most of our cities. Our people depend not even only on second-hand goods but "fourth-hand" goods to sustain their lives. While people at the helms of affairs are physically and mentally sound and having their meal three times in a day, millions of ordinary Nigerians in most Nigerian towns and villages cannot be proud of having their meals even twice in a day.
It is never done like this anywhere in the modern world. The moment political leaders of developed countries discovered mismanagement and inefficiency, they resign and hand over the government to those considered capable enough. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria, as our leaders will not resign but devise means of re-contesting and winning the election for the second term despite the fact that they all performed below average. Who will save us from these hungry politicians?
It is high time we stood up and forced the government to look back to see where they have gone wrong.
written by: Adeyemi Adisa |
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IS THIS DEMOCRACY...?
To many people, democracy is a representative system of government that allows people to vote for the leaders of their choice through a free and fair election. Yes, that is true! In civilised societies, democratic government encourages the rule of law, separation of power, equality before the law, supremacy of the law and civil liberty. But in Nigeria, the reverse is now the case and these are not necessarily important, as the lives of ordinary citizens are not secured. Is this democracy, where corruption without trial is the priority of the so-called democratically elected leaders? Where judiciary in not but a mere institution, Where government has failed to create new jobs, and therefore, making the youths to be restless and to be easily used for dirty uncivil acts.
Taking a closer look at it, it is glaring that the kind of democracy in Nigeria is quietly different because there is no recognition for judiciary. Or how can one explain a situation whereby supremacy of the law is not taken into account before cruelly acting? Ostensibly, there are certain set of Nigeria leaders who are actually above the law and Nigeria government can not tamper with them or their properties or relatives for going beyond what the law of the land stipulates. Some of these leaders have been invited to hearings and they refused to appear, and yet they are making their ways- living comfortably while many ordinary Nigerians are being punished for the crimes these bastard leaders committed.
When Obasanjo assumed the power as the president of Nigeria in May, 1999, there was a glaring and indisputable relief in the faces of millions of Nigerian, anticipating that the end has come to their sufferings, pain etc, not knowing that they have just commenced the journey to the land of poverty, unemployment and insecurity. No doubt, Obasanjo's regime witnessed problems (austerity) upon austerity as the entire population are languishing in poverty day in and out while the fittest are enjoying the dividends of democracy (which they never fought for) in their pocket.
There was misuse of office, abuse of power or how can one explain Odi massacre where Nigeria Army aggressively destroyed the whole community? Have we all forgotten the incidence at Ikeja Military Cantonment that claimed thousands of lives of ordinary Nigerians? The present democratic government in Nigeria is just an unfortunate one controlled by the political opportunists and political juggernauts, who paraded themselves as "messiah" Nigerians need.
Besides, I strongly believe that the present politicians in the political arena in Nigeria are the kind that harbours undue animosity against their fellow Nigerians and therefore do needless damage to national unity. It is quite unfortunate that Nigeria governments accommodate bunch of criminals, corrupt leaders, crooks etc, who would nail integrity on the cross of cheap populism by condemning other politicians; posting themselves as the "angels".
From global view of the whole drama, much damage had been done to the good image and name of Nigeria and the whole sorry development emanated from Aso Rock--the seat of the central government, which has become centre for corruption in the whole nation. Apart from the odium the foreigners will cast around us on reading the reports on the gravity at which corruption and mismanagement had eaten to the root of Nigerian economy, there is an indisputable fact that our leaders are not the type that should be seen in corridors of power. How then can we expect the foreign investors to help us sustain an industrial promotion? These useless and hungry politicians consume our funds just like human being consume oxygen without any room for meaningful development and advancement of Nigeria.
Government is the only vessel that is leaking from the top and Aso Rock and other government wings and parastatals are leaking and spineless bootlickers are swimming in the cesspool of corruption while hungry masses are being starving in open field, waiting in anticipation of the elusive dividends of democracy. Our own government made no effort to revive and develop the economy and blindly refused to rescue people from the debilitating assault of poverty and disease, refused to liberate them from the affront of illiteracy. For government, there is more than enough to spend on behalf of the masses and, since it is not possible to invite everyone to come and chop, many are born and few are chosen.
And on security, the government within its capability, has not got means on how to curb the rate at which the men of the under-world are freely operating at their own convenience. In the previous years, the situation was so intense and timid that no Nigerians could have peace of mind while resting at their various homes after the stress of the day's work. Many Nigerians living abroad were forced to have a second though before commencing their journey home because the latest wave of attacks are on the travellers who are just arriving into the country. So many bad and frightening story to tell, so many untimely and unnecessary deaths, and yet so little responses were received from government security agencies.
It is noteworthy to mention that Obasanjo administration did nothing virtually on the incessant armed robber attacks across the nation. The government was so insensitive that security of life and properties in the country was in a bad shape. Compare to United Nation recommendation, which suggests a ratio of 1 police officer to 400 people, Nigerian Police Force, operates with a ratio of 1:1,200 people. So tell me, how one can feel safe in the country?
It is only God that can safe Nigerians from all these buccaneer leaders that portrayed themselves to be "holy".
written by: Adeyemi Adisa |
MY DREAMS FOR AFRICA...
I have a dream that one day
Every valley shall be exalted
Every will and mountain shall be made to low
The rough places will be made plain
And the crooked places will be made straight
And the glory of the God shall be revealed
And all flesh shall see it together.
This is my hope,
This is my faith,
We will be able to hew out of the
Mountain of despair, a stone of hope.
With this faith
We will be able to transform
The jangling discords of our nation
Into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood
With this faith
We will be able to work together
To pray together
To struggle together
To go to jail together
Knowing that we will be freed one day.
With this faith
We will be able to put an end
To religion violence, bad administration
Put an end to corruption, poverty, unemployment
And unanimously eliminate all the hungry politicians
Who are the main enemies of progress in Africa
With this faith
We will be able to have a better continent
Where people from the North of Africa
Could be peacefully working and residing in South
Where people from South
Could be free from the fear of ethnic clash and civil war
Where Africans will see themselves as one
With this faith
I am sure, with gradual process
Afrians shall all come together once again
And celebrate with cheers and thank God
After the elimination of all I-don't-care, corrupt
And hungry politicians (leaders) in our various nations
So shall it be
written by: Adeyemi Adisa |
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AFRICANS AND SLAVE TRADE...
Have you heard or read any book on slave trade? Have you watched a movie titled " Cry for freedom" or any other film or movie on slave trade? In fact, you've got to watch 'cry for freedom'-- a movie comprehensively explains all the people of South Africa went through during the era of apartheid. Watching the film is just like taking part in the struggle because it's a terrible, horrible and very dark moment that would remain memorabilia in the history of South Africa and Africa en bloc.
Have red many books on slavery; have red many books on colonialism and occupation by the Westerners, and all I could understand is that "Africans need reparation". The General Assembly of UN is as useless as nothing if this is not done to sweeten the hearts of Africans.
Going by the events of slavery, many Africans were captured and treated just like animals; putting chains into their mouths, legs and hands. They were packed just like loads of fish waiting to be transported to their final destination. As these forefathers and mothers of ours were forced on a journey, which they never returned, many of African families were forever destabilised.
They journey to the unknown destinations took them several months and they were tightly chained in the hold, like books upon a shelf, in terrible conditions, and many of them died of disease and misery as a result of the hardships they were forcefully conditioned to. Rebellions on board ship that happened often were brutally put down with great loss of lives. What an unfortunate treatment!
Imagine these captured Africans were inhumanly put down under the decks, and they received bad salutations in their nostrils which they have never experienced in their lives; with loathsome stench and they cry together. Many slaves were held fast by the hands and laid across the wind-lass, tied their feet while severely and cruelly flogging them.
Those who survive the journey were sold to the plantation owners. Families and friends were split up because they were sold to different masters. Could anyone imagine how tough and very hard life would be on plantation field? Undoubtedly, it would never be anything than brutal, relentless and terrible-very inhuman.
Before the abolition of slave trade in 1807, many of the slave traders most especially in Great Britain and Liverpool to be precise have already made fortune from the trade. They have acquired wealth from the hard labours of the slaves by selling and forcing them to do what their domestic animals could not do. Some of these people like Arthur Heywood, Thomas Leyland etc. were so wealthy that they established their own banks to be financed from the monies generated from the slave trade.
Arthur Heywood established and owned Martins Bank while Thomas Leyland set up Leyland Bank (now part of Midland Bank in UK). Do you all know that monies derived from slave trade were used to establish what they now called Barclays Bank? And our forefathers and mothers were extensively used to construct many of their underground ways and rail tracks. In fact, it's a terrible thing!
Even American president, G. W. Bush lamented in Senegal very recently while on African tour that "slave trade was the wickedest thing that has ever happened in human life". Dear forefathers and mothers who were captured by these cruel and inhuman traders, though you have all gone and you shall be forever remembered for all you went through to survive the odds. Then all the African nationalists and human right fighters who seek for redress in unjust treatment accorded the black race both in America and United kingdom, though you have all gone and your paths shall be followed to ensure perfect life for all the African race.
We red about you, we heard about you, watched all the documentaries about you and we shall not relent, give up and let down in achieving all you fought for and against. Martins Luther King had done it in US, Nelson Mandela in South Africa and Mohandas Gandhi had done it for the people of India, you re our source of inspiration and we shall keep the flag flying.
written by: Adeyemi Adisa |
NIGERIA:WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
When Africa threw off the chains of colonialism, Nigeria was by then seen as a beacon of hope and progress by all African Nations and even "the international communities". Nigeria was then looked up to as a country with enormous energy and potentials that seemed destined to lead the people of Africa to a better future. But now, after almost 43 years of independence this destiny remains unfulfilled and unachieved.
For most of the people of Africa today, Nigeria is being looked at with despair, as successive governments have become locked in a cycle of contempt for human rights, corruption and many others "evils". Nigeria has instead been the inspiration for other African leaders who oppose justice and freedom, development, new innovations and encourage corruption and mismanagement.
In every perspective, the types of governments we have been having in Nigeria are indeed worthless, controlled by the opportunist who have no proven records of achievements. The story would have been different if those boastful politicians aimed at power not to indulge in any form of maladministration, corruption and its "relatives". In the last 4 years, the kind of government in Nigeria had been absolutely insensitive to the yearnings of the entire populace who voted for them. No wonder that starving has dominated the country!
From a historical point of view, after the government of late Pa Awolowo in the then Western Region there has never been a government that seemed ready or concerned about the welfare of the people. The Awolowo-led government that provided free education, free health care, good roads promoted the economy of the region with just "cocoa" as the main source of income, would have been the best option now that we have enough resources that can generate funds. In fact, Nigeria would have been in parity with some western nations because of the fact that people like late Pa Awolowo, late Dr. Azikwe and many others were actually in government to better the life of ordinary people.
Political parties then were formed actually to provide education, health services and many others freely throughout the nation, and not the political parties of nowadays that are primarily established to better the lives of the stakeholders. Imagine the present ruling party in Nigeria (People Democratic Party, which I can call "People Destructions Party") has no plan for education, free health care and many other things that are significantly needed in human life. What kind of generations are we nurturing?
In the olden days, working, studying and living in Nigeria was as the same as in United Kingdom because our government then was established to better the lives of the people. Do you know that then, one Nigeria Naira was equivalent to one British Pound Sterling? Nigeria was actually seen then as the economic "power house" of Africa and many other African nations were looking up to the steps being taken by Nigeria towards a meaningful future. Then pensioners were in a happy mood because they received their "cake" as at when due and with ease. But now the reverse has been the case as the older ones mostly the pensioners look terribly ill--- their skins are as yellow as guinea and our government (of which they once served) is not ready to cater for them. Many of these "older ones" have loss their precious lives as a result of the government's crass negligence.
From my own point of view, I think the problem with Nigeria government is the exclusion of the educated elite and eggheads from mainstream political and social affairs. Political system in Nigeria is traditionally an aristocratic one where those at the helms of affairs allocate post to their families and relations never considering the fact that they may not be skilfully capable to handle the posts allotted them.
My dear good people of Nigeria --- it is high time we stood up and fight these worthless people that paraded themselves as the "messiah" so as to put an end to this kind of mess they have brought us. At this time around, there should be no let-up in our determination to get rid of all these people who have muscled into the political circles that control the government. Their credibilities must be perfectly x-rayed by credible and those who have a proven record of achievements to actually figure out how they made their ways through to the helms of affairs.
I hope through this, we can ascertain the kind of people they are and how far they have gone in perpetrating whatever "crimes".
Long lives Nigeria!
written by: Adeyemi Adisa
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THANKS FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ SOME OF MY ARTICLES....MAY GOD BLESS YOU...
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