UNDERSTANDING 21ST CENTURY CULTURAL CHANGES: A PANACEA FOR AFRICA's LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE (2)
Last week, we discussed extensively on the issues and events that precipitated life in the 21st century. This week, we will take a closer look on these events and understand how our current challenges as a continent came about.
1. The birth of the worldwide web ( The Internet): By 1984, the internet was a means of communication amongst the military and intelligence community of the western world. With the creation of the world wide web, the world became a global village thereby making the speed of change supersonic. The internet also gave birth to Information Communication Technology (ICT). The downside for economies in africa is the fact that more jobs would be done by computer, thereby making the 21st century a job unfriendly century. That’s why if you are on a job and you are unable to generate value and sustain customers, you could be sacked. This also made the importance of man as a means of production dwindle, making the world a more robotic society.
2. The fall of the Berlin wall: This wall was built physically to divide old Germany after the second world war (specifically into west and east). Thereby making America and the allied forces rule over the west and the soviet-union rule over the east. While the wall lasted, states like Nigeria lined behind America and cuba behind the soviet-union. This platform granted free meals to Africa, built universities, hospitals, electricity and virtually everything was free. For Nigeria at this period, the Naira and pound were at par.
By the time the wall fell and the implication was that the western world began to withdraw the subsidy, then our currency dropped, other assistance were withdrawn, the universities lost standards. The fall brought economic retrogression to the continent.
3. The release of Nelson Mandela: he was a prisoner for 27years. He was released by the effort and money of Nigerians in support. The moment he was released, the world shifted attention away from Nigeria to South-Africa. Before this time, 60-70% of all foreign direct investment that came into Sub-Sahara-Africa birthed in Nigeria, but now a large chunk of these investments go to South-Africa. Currently speaking, about nine of the world largest conglomerates are established in Africa, using South-Africa as an entry point and Nigeria as the market place. More so, Africa is seen more as a consumption continent. No wonder;
“The future of Guinness is in the Lagos bars” - Guinness plc.
The statement above is quite humiliating but happens to be true, following the ignorance and perpetual mediocre state of the African populace.
We must stand against mediocrity and accept responsibility for ourselves, nation and continent
Practically speaking, our leaders, politicians, should be empowered to understand life in the 21st century, the impact of South Africa on African countries and their economies. Our politicians need to be trained to help strengthen their foresight in order to stop playing childish games. Please refuse to be ignorant and make adequate, sincere plans to secure one generation by placing life in the right perspective for a sound take-off, stop religion, access your culture, embrace truth, renew your values, and be determined for continental success.
“There is no mountain anywhere, every man’s ignorance is his mountain” - Dr. David Oyedepo.
“Every generation has problems and challenges, which makes that generation specially assigned to solve its problems. Refusal to solve or being ignorant about these problems would rob generations to come, the privileges they should enjoy” - Obele Gospel Jesuite
I wish you a great time this week as I hope to see you next Monday. Cheers !
Obele Gospel Jesuite is the Chief Responsibility Officer- Project Change Initiative (PCI), and a proud 21st century development economist. He can be reached at 08130070991, Gospel_obele@yahoo.com
