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How sad! by
Kudos to the great travelers who discovered (existing) continent not known to the Western world. The French, Portuguese, Dutch and British explorers (or businessmen) who linked various parts of the world together via commerce did a great job. Beyond these, colonialists came to Africa and tried to develop the continent. Various media were employed, education, religion, economy, politics. Of these seemingly good intentions, there is an astonishing problem, the various countries after independence lost focus after the exit of the masters. Till date, countries such as Cameroun, Benin Republic, and other colonies of the French breathe (survive) courtesy of France. Until the recent past, South Africa, Africa’s present giant, remained firmly in the grip of colonial masters. Now in self-governance several problems not previously experienced, arose. The countries colonized by the British have a familiar streak running through all of them, their economies are tethered by Britain and or events there. In all these former colonies of the west here in Africa, every structure handed down to the natives is either dead or in comatose. In the hey days of British rule in Nigeria, education was per excellence. Grants, scholarships were awarded. Public utilities functioned. The former Gold Coast, Ghana had Gold and Cocoa as its chief exports, these sustained the economy and other aspects of life in that country. Curiously, the structures put in place by our supposed messiah(s) collapsed after their departure. Suddenly, we stopped seeing the need for projection about our future, not to mention planning for it. It was as if the independence granted these colonies were China in a glass shop. A delicate one indeed. The colonial masters offered no clue as to what the problems (and solution to them) could arise in the imported style passed on. No wonder South Africa is battling with such internal crises and no hope in sight. Nigeria is no different, in its chequered 40 years of existence, military rule dominated with absolutely no positive development to show for it, save its mainstay corruption. Every manufacturer of goods provides a manual of operation, the colonialists that produced these colonies mischievously forgot the manual for these colonies to function. How sad. The writer is a Lagos based journalist. ____________________________________________________________________ |