Gotham City - Africa
An imagistic and prophetic song by legendary American musician,
Robert Kelly which popularized such a euphoric place that very much sounds like
paradise! It exceedingly inspires me to mull of such a city. Permit me to quote
the lyrics as I progress.
I’m looking over the
skyline of the city, how loud quiet nights in the mist of crime. How next door
to happiness lives sorrow and signals of solution in the sky
As described by the United Nations Millennium Project,
2006, Sub-Saharan Africa is “the epicenter of crisis, with continuing food
insecurity, a rise of extreme poverty, stunningly high child and maternal
mortality, and large numbers of people living is slums”. Right in the middle of
the world’s perspective of Africa, we still seem to bubble with life’s
enthusiasm and produce carnival-like atmospheres that tinge hopes and dreams. We
even so have to deal with epidemics and under-development, battling paralyzed
governments.
Still on the rampage is the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease
that has plagued some African states, most notably Liberia, Guinea and Sierra
Leone. It is indeed a sad tale mixed with stints of joy. It is imperative at
this point to appreciate the government of Nigeria for its prompt response to
the disease. Kudos also goes to developed countries and wealthy individuals
that have promptly risen to the gradual genocide. Efforts of international
organizations such as United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO),
ECOWAS amongst others are highly recognized and appreciated.
More pitiable is the undeniable fact that above, within
and underneath us lay solutions to our myriad of challenges. From the profuse
mineral resources in the soil, to the natural atmospheric privileges we enjoy and
even in the human resources we seem unsure of how to utilize. It is only fair
to be exploited.
Really we need a city like Gotham.
How sleeping awake because
of fear, how children are drowning in their tears. How we need a place where we
can go. A land where everyone will have a hero
However, despite these stories of poverty, we have
remained strong.
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“Yet in the middle of
stormy weather, we won’t stumble and we won’t fall.”
True. Plagued by economic exploitation by more powerful
countries, Africa has remained indivisible and ensured the survival of its
pride. It is but a matter of time before we emerge shining as gold mined in
South Africa.
So where then is our Gotham City? Where is that city of justice, city of love, city of peace
for every one of us? Where is that land flowing with heroes of history,
legends of culture and brave warriors?
“The future we desire is
not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The path is not found
but made and the activity changes both the maker and the destination” – Peter Ellyard.
I have no iota of doubt that Africa is the land. Gotham
is not Eldorado already prepared, waiting for us to occupy. Our Gotham is a modern
city where we build, plan from the tears of our trying times and the sweats of
our unity. Our Gotham is Africa where we transform with conscious developmental
projects and economic giant leaps.
Freedom, Liberty, Justice, Love, Happiness, Peace are
virtues that lie deep within us waiting to be revived and placed on the
rooftops.
I know of young African minds like Japheth Omojuwa,
Rotimi Olawale of youthhubafrica.org, 2face, Dbanj, Ebenezer Wikina, Kehinde
Tunde (formerly) of Jumia, the list goes on. These and many more are the hope
of Africa.
To foreign communities, we know what we need. Aliko
Dangote of Nigeria, Africa’s richest man in a recent interview said and I quote,
“Africa needs trade, not aids”. No further explanations needed, you would agree.
I know a place that offers
shelter, I know Gotham
City, that place is called Africa. I believe in Africa, our embryonic Gotham
city. I believe in Nigeria. I believe in me! I am African and I am proud!
Image courtesy Google
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