“Food is a political weapon which has been used to subjugate small nations. To cap it mildly, it’s sometimes referred to as economic power. . Africa’s foremost weakness is self-sufficiency in food production where subsistence farming has been the order of the day. And until we attain a substantial measure of freedom from food dependency, we shall be vulnerable to manipulation by the wealthier Nations.”-Jerry ‘Junior Jesus’ Rawlings.
This is the time for Africans: spiritual foundation, cultural heritage, political system and economic “rebirth.” Renaissance has certain common values and among them are:- humanism, individualism, scepticism, well-roundedness, secularism and classicism. These values were the reflections of the rebirth of classical ideas.
The renaissance will ultimately become increasingly popular with the intelligent community, youths and the generality of our compatriots across the nations of the continent of Africa. It will not only change the Continent but transform it in such a way that one could think of and it’s snowball effects cannot be imagined. Each new intellectual advance paved way for further advancement, rebirthing the classical models.
The African Youths have to open up their minds to the global trend of economic growth, advancement in technology and research orientation; be optimistic, do away with the past, be change agents for the present and hope for the future. These present sets of leadership have failed to show sufficient evidence of good character and don’t want an intelligent population because people who think critically can’t be manipulated by ruthless dictators. They rather want a people just smart enough to be manipulated to pay taxes and dump them to keep voting and electing corrupt politicians.
It is, therefore, expected that the faith-based organizations and the religious leaders in the continent of Africa re-evaluate their teachings and reflect on the desirability of changing the mindsets of our compatriots from issues around individual accomplishment to building a decent society where collective interest supersedes all other considerations. Self-centred, greed, materialism and corruption even in the house of God is undesirable. In a situation where affluence is exhibited with reckless abandon while the congregation live in abject poverty is unpardonable. It is ungodly and completely unacceptable.
Religious Quotient: “The test of religious beliefs is not in pious platitudes and cautious charity, but positive and creative actions.”-Jerry John Rawlings: if we all apply it honestly and faithfully to what the Holy Books teach, the world would be a better place to live in. It could be Islam, Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism etc. Mankind has a way of circumventing issues for personal gains and this tends to turn the gospel upside down.
All religions preach about communal life where we are each others brother but the tide has changed and we are beginning to see self-aggrandizement as the order of the day. Sometimes I wonder why some countries that don’t demonstrate the activities of religious worship- are advancing at a fast pace. In Japan, and other developed countries, morality and ethics are fundamental principles in their upbringing and that is why they commit suicide for bringing the names of their family into disrepute. In the light of the above, the time has come for our religious leaders and beliefs be tailored in such a way that the tenets of the gospel would be enhanced for the benefit of all and to the glory of God Almighty. “In China people who steal are killed. In Japan, people who steal hang themselves for bringing opprobrium to the family. Sorrowfully, in Africa people who steal present themselves for political offices.”-PLO Lumumba
“When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing- When you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favour- When you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than work, and laws don’t protect you against them but protect them against you- When you see the corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice – you may know that your society is doomed.”-Ayn rand Atlas shrugged, 1957.
OUR SYSTEM SHOULD BE MODEL FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND WORK FOR ALL, INSTEAD OF WORKING FOR A FEW CRIMINAL ELEMENTS.
Odusanya is the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI.
