AFRICA IS DYING

If you traverse the world and peruse the history of man, it will be glaring that the progress that have occurred was manifested majorly by the youth, in an enabling environment, with the right resources and guidance. The fruit of youth’s mentality is borne as development and it always and never deviate from the source. The period for outstanding thought and innovation is when the cells are multiplied in diploid and the exuberance and eagerness of the youth to do something cannot be cocooned; it’s just natural.

All over the continents, each country has her intrinsic development with her own peculiar strides manifested by their youth. Record and history have made us realize that it was possible due to the serene and convenient environment that the past heroes find themselves; even a warrior will tend to understand his prowess and bravery when he experiences or undergo some systematic process, directed by his master in a conditioned environment. Youth by their natural way, are always curious as to what they see, hear, feel, and they process it into habit.

Africa as a continent, from past history, has experienced the greatest development and has catered for her youth in the most magnificent way. We were nurtured with ideal cultures and traditions that gradually transform a child to a youth with responsible and caring mind. Even in the so- called “dark ages”, Africa has survived and thrive more in terms of socio-economic development, military and trado-scientific field. Though, our fathers married many wives, their offspring were taught to be responsible. Men were sent to farm to sustain the family, making him see the need to make the family live, a naturally loving and self-dependent character. Women were taught to manage the house and put it in order, a managerial feature that is indispensable. Neighbours treat each other as if they are kin. Natural and nutritional foods, dug from the soil, were in abundant. Though their daily meal was not 1-1-1, they are strong, agile and live long due to the perfect nature of their environment. War was on the minimal as there is mutual love and harmony between families, crises were perfectly managed with its formidable institution and naturally peace reigned and children lived. Africa was thriving, Africa was alive.

But now, I am deafened and my heart is poisoned by the simultaneous event of environmental pollution, chemically-produced food products which affect the normal biochemical process in the body and brain, unresolved war, unending poverty and unreasonable fracas that reel itself out in the historical stories of Africa of nowadays. The most people suffering from this new event are the youth. Children are dying in millions; those that survived are channeled to be soldiers in the never ending war. Those that do not experience war are not well-fed, much less going to school. The present constitution of some African countries does not even cater for one-fifth of the necessity or basic need of the suffering African children. The future which seems brighten is now shadowed by a dark cloud of hunger, war, illiteracy and developmental setback.

War is currently going on in Mali, who are those suffering? It’s the youth. Parents can’t afford to send their children to primary school in Nigeria, who is suffering? It’s the youth. AIDS is devouring children and youth in South Africa, who is suffering? It’s the youth!!! Youths are dying, Africa is dying!!!