There seems to ba a laughable ironic pattern noticeable in modern african societies. A paradox obvious only to the cursory observer. There is so much, yet so little. Of what, you may ask? How is it possible for one to die of starvation in the midst of plenty? Die of thirst in the middle of a flood? In as much as this is not logically presentable (i said it is only obvious to the cursory eye, didn't i?), yet this is the case of africa. To clarify doubts, i would use 2 spheres of society to butress my points.
Education. Over the last half a century, there has been a massive proliferation of schools. Providing quality education is no longer the exclusive preserve of the missionaries, who first established 'formal' education in africa. Access to education is no longer determined on the basis of race or gender. More females are enrolling in schools and empowering themselves. There are also institutions that offer specialist and professional courses.
Education. Over the last half a century, there has been a massive proliferation of schools. Providing quality education is no longer the exclusive preserve of the missionaries, who first established 'formal' education in africa. Access to education is no longer determined on the basis of race or gender. More females are enrolling in schools and empowering themselves. There are also institutions that offer specialist and professional courses.
Today's african has a vast array of information and knowledge to chose from, especially with the advent of the internet and communication technology. So why is there an ever increasing unemployment index? Why are we churning out job seekers rather than job creators? Why are graduates expecting the government to hand them a life line or a ready made appointment? It is a well known fact that where there are problems, opportunities abound. Problems create need, which generates demand which in turn stimulates supply.
Hence comes the paradox, how can there be a huge demand and a high unemployment rate at the same time? Wasn't education meant to empower the mind to profer solutions to his existential realities? So much knowledge, certifications, professional degress etc, yet little impact in the society. There is a dearth of innovation and inventiveness. We are a consumers rather than creators of knowledge. Even the 'priviledged' ones who schooled in europe and the U.S are still prapped into this vortex of dependency and redundancy. So much emphasis on certificate rather than skills.
Religion is perhaps the most abused of all african social institutions. If you capture a people's religion you have captured a 100 generations. Religion would bring more loyalists and subdued subjects than any amount of guns or weapons would. Deities such as ibini-ukpabi, ifa, sango have now been replaced with christianity and islam. There is a massive presence of ardenr followers of these two religions. Every corner you turn to you are sure to see either a church or mosque. No qualms. But why is there an ever growing catalogue of animosity and strifes? Why can't we tolerate divergent views? The level of tolerance when we had local deities was far better than what we have now that we have 2 central religions binding everone. Isn't diversity supposed to be the beauty of life? Knowing that you are not complete unless complemented. Once a week, we observe our weekly rituals which teach us peace, tolerance and unity, but we are at our neighbours thorats,
canvassing for homosexuality and spewing divorces faster than infection rates. Our children would grow up not knowing the diffrence between a daddy and mommy because her dad is a woman. We are vampires addicted to the blood of materialism and vanity. All because we are now enlightened and civilized.
So why is there so much yet so little? Why are we blinded by sentiments and refuse to question the validity of notions? Some one said our fathers never went to schools, but were educated. We on the other hand went to schools but are not educated. I concur with this view. Diffrent religions existed existed, but our fathers inter-married. Diffrent ethnic groups existed, but they were still trade partners. A dark cloud looms over us. We have to retrace our steps to our roots. The eagle would not have its reverence if it flew with other birds, but my african brothers are now frolicking with pigs in the mud. There would continue to be so much, yet so little, because we keep wearing white masks on our black faces.
Hence comes the paradox, how can there be a huge demand and a high unemployment rate at the same time? Wasn't education meant to empower the mind to profer solutions to his existential realities? So much knowledge, certifications, professional degress etc, yet little impact in the society. There is a dearth of innovation and inventiveness. We are a consumers rather than creators of knowledge. Even the 'priviledged' ones who schooled in europe and the U.S are still prapped into this vortex of dependency and redundancy. So much emphasis on certificate rather than skills.
Religion is perhaps the most abused of all african social institutions. If you capture a people's religion you have captured a 100 generations. Religion would bring more loyalists and subdued subjects than any amount of guns or weapons would. Deities such as ibini-ukpabi, ifa, sango have now been replaced with christianity and islam. There is a massive presence of ardenr followers of these two religions. Every corner you turn to you are sure to see either a church or mosque. No qualms. But why is there an ever growing catalogue of animosity and strifes? Why can't we tolerate divergent views? The level of tolerance when we had local deities was far better than what we have now that we have 2 central religions binding everone. Isn't diversity supposed to be the beauty of life? Knowing that you are not complete unless complemented. Once a week, we observe our weekly rituals which teach us peace, tolerance and unity, but we are at our neighbours thorats,
canvassing for homosexuality and spewing divorces faster than infection rates. Our children would grow up not knowing the diffrence between a daddy and mommy because her dad is a woman. We are vampires addicted to the blood of materialism and vanity. All because we are now enlightened and civilized.
So why is there so much yet so little? Why are we blinded by sentiments and refuse to question the validity of notions? Some one said our fathers never went to schools, but were educated. We on the other hand went to schools but are not educated. I concur with this view. Diffrent religions existed existed, but our fathers inter-married. Diffrent ethnic groups existed, but they were still trade partners. A dark cloud looms over us. We have to retrace our steps to our roots. The eagle would not have its reverence if it flew with other birds, but my african brothers are now frolicking with pigs in the mud. There would continue to be so much, yet so little, because we keep wearing white masks on our black faces.
