Part 3. Engage - To Have An Africa That works, All Africans Must Engage

 

In Part 1 & 2, I discussed how I found the African dream and mentioned 10 highlights of "an Africa that works."

Here in Part 3, I am sharing my thoughts on one thing that we need to do as Africans to achieve an Africa that works.

I could only come up with one word - Engage

Every African must engage in nation building to achieve an Africa that works.

WHY ENGAGE:

1. Because we owe it to ourselves and to our children. You can tell the kids in the future, "I did my part" or "join me in doing my part"
2. Because some Africans are perishing in Africa, they have no wherewithal to leave Africa for "greener pastures"
3. Because in the words of my friend Baba Alalade, a king might come someday, in the "greener pastures", that will not know Joseph again, where will the Israelites then go? (Exodus 1:8) Selah
4. Because we are rich in melanin, we don't blend in, we stand out. For us, home is partly where you live, but mostly, where you come from (Africa.)

HOW TO ENGAGE

"Engage" simply means to get involved in your own capacity. The whole idea is to achieve a group of Africans, using one voice to speak the solutions to our African problems. Rather than complain about it consistently, start doing something positive about it consistently.

WAYS TO ENGAGE

• Don't give excuses
• Join or volunteer in an organization that is already engaged in your African passion
• Use your social media (Facebook, Instagram, Blog, Vlog etc.) to convey the solution (not the problem)
• If passionate about poverty eradication in Africa - sponsor an African child, an African family or an African village. See the World vision model at https://www.worldvision.org. You can also join an organization such as this.
• Movies go a long way in nation building. Especially for a continent that loves movies like Africa. If you are passionate about poor Nollywood productions - join/volunteer in Nollywood, write your own scripts, direct and produce your own movies. that reflects the Africa you dream of (you can start your movie productions on you tube) 
• Use the technology you know or the means you have to get your African solution message out there.

Putting these thoughts together was quite a task. Now let's get to work.

Jumoke Eniola Odepe