AFRICA MY AFRICA

Good day. Don't forget to click the *subscribe* button on the left corner of this page for more updates.

AFRICA MY AFRICA

Africa was said to be discovered by some European man—who had no intention other than to exploit Africa. The Berlin conference will forever be cursed; just like kids sharing biscuits among themselves countries in Africa were shared. Our fathers sheepishly and greedily welcomed the Whiteheaded men. Africans were made slaves, in fact, slaves with pride. From river Nile to Sahara desert; from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Red Sea Reef we were declared children of a lesser god. Children of lesser god who can't do anything good; children of lesser god that nothing can come out of—just like Nasareth. We're tagged, "the cursed race" because of our blackness and culture. We're made to drop everything we had at the feet of the white men just like the Christians of old did drop everything at the feet of the apostles. Our culture was raped. Our dignity was stolen. The white men—who have the intelligence of a tortoise: very crafty—stole valuable things from Africa to their own land. I can remember reading of the stolen status of ORÍOLÓKUN from Ilé Ifé in one of Sóyinká's. It was stolen by the British and kept in the museum—oh, museum of shame!

The urge to be free from the control of West was seen in all African leaders, ranging from Ghana to Nigeria; from Tanzania to Kenyan; from South Africa to Togo; from Ethiopia to Egypt.... The struggle was real. Leaders who had fully learnt about the Europeans stepped up to fight for their right; they refused to be like Esau who couldn't reclaim his birth right. They truly fought. Some on a platter of silver gained their freedom; some with a lot of bloodshed gained theirs. We seem to be free. We look free. We control some aspects of our lives. But, rejoice not. Rejoice not. Africa is still not independent. Or what can you tell of a child of 30 years old that still feeds from his mother's pot? Or what can you say of a bulldog that can't bite? Or what shall we say of a child that fails to walk? What shall we say of Africa? 

Blood brothers, Africa's independent is liken to a tied goat that its owner releases the rope used to tie it as it pleases the owner—the tied goat is always within the limitation placed on it. Dear Africans, don't be shocked to know that the rope that was thrown on our neck a century back is still there. Our leaders are puppets in the hands of their Lords. The freedom fought for some decades ago has been sold, just for some pieces of cake. You know how you bribe your younger ones to keep quiet to your evil deed?  Our leaders' mouths have been sealed. In the words of Prof. POL Lumumba, those who have power have no ideas; those who have ideas have no power. He lied not. The power in Africa is in the hands of thieves, oh no, they aren't thieves, they are respected looters. 

According to Dr. Kasala of Tanzania, there is no hygiene in Africa's politics because of THE NOT ALWAYS VICIOUS CIRCLE: "What is logical is not always practical; what is practical is not always right; what is right is not always ethical; what is ethical is not always desired and what is desired is not always logical." For Africa to be truly independent we have to do without the "Not always vicious circle". 

Some individuals believe that this generation of Africans will make a great difference. But will we make it? We all sang the song: "we are the leaders of tomorrow" in our elementary classes, but are the leaders of the past ready to leave for leaders of tomorrow? Those who are ready to leave power have placed their corrupt children, friends or family members in power. In some African countries, there had never been a change of power–maybe,only change of power from father to children. In some countries, there leaders have been in power for many years, (though many elections have been observed), they still come into power either by hook or by crook. Togo is a good example. And in some countries, the ugly ones refuse to die: they might not be seen by everyone but they are behind the scene controlling the nation's politics—at times they are being recycled. Nigeria is an example. 

How I wish all African leaders can be like Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania who believed in Brotherhood rather than rulership. He believed that Africa's politics should be people-centered and not self or pocket centered. He made Tanzania great. Hardly will you find an uneducated person in Tanzania during his reign. He did his best to define Africa's politics better, but other leaders didn't listen to him. What a disaster! 

In conclusion: for Africa to be great, we need a renaissance! We need to redefine Africa. But, this will happen if we depend less on the West and work on what we have in Africa. WE ARE NOT CURSED IN AFRICA! WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF LESSER GODS! AFRICA IS BLESSED. WE NEED A REDEFINED AFRICA.

©Taiwo Gbenga Akorede