By Nneka Okumazie
There are several wicked and evil histories dealt by foreigners to Africa that should become a rallying cry to become strong, big and far powerful, but have instead become weapons for excuses, sympathy and lack of responsibility for the progress of the people.
There are people who have become acquainted with events in Africa where there were heartless injustices, like induced coups, plunders, division, forced labour, etc., that say it in the context that the lack of progress in Africa is due to just those.
There are systems in Africa that have not changed, even though some of the contents are different. The same way it is done for decades remains the same, with no improvement.
There are many parts of society that is the responsibility of Africans in different places and with considerable autonomy, but they are unable to do anything different or better across the lands.
There are some accurate vile histories where Africa was on the receiving end, but there are extras that people talk about that are conspiracy theories.
There are elections with seeming good candidates that people keep blaming others for not supporting, like all possible means to progress is just that election, party or candidate, when what they are seeking is who they would accept for choosing the same things with them, or what action can be taken to excuse their lack of contribution to progress, or who would sympathize with them.
Across Africa, two things seem to matter most, having money and being able to give it. Other things may come after, including education, religion, democracy, relationship, or whatever else. But the ruler of Africa is to get money anyway and be able to share it or show it.
Money is more important than anything else, and achieving a significant amount of it is applied to those goals. Acceptance in Africa is preliminarily driven by money, yet there are often arguments on development, criticisms of government or foreigners, etc.
Those that are at safe distances from poverty, who should never participate in the common excuses on challenges in Africa, do so. The obvious things that progress from elsewhere should inspire many in Africa, for local progress does not seem to go anywhere.
There are qualities that the people of Africa would need if serious about development, but for now, with excuses, sympathy and money first, it may be a while.
[Job 12:11, Doth not the ear try words? And the mouth taste his meat?]