To be clear: the impacts of imperialism in Africa included the creation of a system of economic exploitation that benefitted Europe at the cost of Africa. It is worthy of note, that, throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources.
Let me begin with the golden words of A Pan-Africanist and iconic revolutionary, Patrice Lumumba, founder and leader of the Movement National Congolais (MNC) party was Congo’s independence leader and the first democratically elected leader of the country. He dedicated his life to fighting colonialism, exploitation and injustices. Lumumba played a critical role in Congo’s fight for independence from Belgium.
Patrice Lumumba posited: “We were offered a choice between liberation and the continuation of bondage. There can be no compromise between freedom and slavery. We chose to pay the price of freedom.” If only the rest of the African continent could adopt this perspective..
Africa has what it takes to thrive on her own!
Nigeria earned almost $400 billion in 16 years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP administration built nothing and added nothing beyond creating hundreds of ‘private jets’ flying billionaires who owned no industries – it prides itself on building nothing but a handful of people who successfully highjacked and manipulated the system as exemplified by just two of the high flyers: Diezani Allison-Madueke and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Diezani had unlimited access to power, money, and other privileges: she was on the board of Shell Petroleum as executive director, once married to Allison Madueke, a retired Naval officer, former CNC, and two-term military governor of two different states. She was a trained architect who later transformed to become Nigeria’s first female minister of works and later petroleum minister. Yet, despite these privileges, Diezani stole our barbequed fish, and roasted yams, and hide them in her bra like a mad woman.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a full-blown product of the imperialist and a neutralized American citizen who has been serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization since March 2021. Ngozi played a very dominant role under the Peoples Democratic Party voodoo economy supervised by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan two unapologetic ‘irredeemable’ imperialist agents. Ngozi played the role of a well trained imperialist mind successful.
Thereafter, she was rewarded with a plum office as the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General. Meanwhile, the Nigerian economy nosedived completely.
Fast-forward, the first half of the APC’s sixteen years has almost rivaled the PDP Now the million dollars.
Akeredolu, in a statement personally issued in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Wednesday, noted that the “intentions and motives of the zoning formula represent early signs of steps aimed at attempts to cabin the hard-earned Presidency for our Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a few individuals with eyes on Aso Rock Power Buttons.”
In lieu of the above, the incoming administration of Tinubu’s Presidency inheriting a huge burden of trust deficits, squandering of riches, and heavy debt profile, must of necessity be circumspect and avoid the pitfalls of the past.
To be clear: the impacts of imperialism in Africa included the creation of a system of economic exploitation that benefitted Europe at the cost of Africa. It is worthy of note, that, throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources.
The catchall phrase “African solutions to African problems” should be the watchword on the lips of the team members of the new administration with the hope of a new social order. It is evident that African people have got the necessary resources and knowledge to address the challenges the continent is facing. Even if the concept needs further development, away from the ongoing recolonization as exemplified by endless borrowing presently from the Eastern world and previously from the Western front.
Expectedly, ‘Hope ’93’ must continue to resonate in our subconscious minds. The progenitor: Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola is an admixture of ideological contestation and political admiration.
LPLikewise, Tinubu’s Presidency should emulate MKO’s philosophy of Pan-Africanism. The point of a total overhaul of our system cannot be overstated: we must be reasonably independent of the West and the East. Therefore, the incoming President Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Bola must stick to his determination of running a people’s friendly economy devoid of corruption.
Finally, the incoming administration should endeavor to be the bridge between the past and the future thereby turning our past inglorious era of wastage of resources into building a new era of HOPE, FREEDOM, and VIBRANCY.
The sleeping giant deserves to wake up to its responsibilities in the continent of Africa and occupy her rightful position in the comity of Nations – so that at the fullness of time, the verdict of posterity, the verdict of history, and the judgment of God will be kind with us as a nation destined for greatness.
