Africa was known as the Dark Continent because it remained unexplored for a long period of time. But today it can be known as the Dark Continent because of its backwardness in terms of development and the inhumane actions perpetrated across it. These are basically attributed to bad governance and corruption. Bad governance and corruption are at the root of virtually all problems across the African continent. These two evils can only thrive where love is lacking. The dictionary depicts love to be an intense feeling of affection and care towards another person. If every African will develop this virtue of love, bad governance, corruption, and all the vices that are responsible for the backwardness of the continent will fizzle out. The African society is encumbered with diverse evil ranging from inter-tribal clashes and sentiments, kidnapping, human trafficking, insecurity, and lack of basic amenities. This gives the young ones a negative orientation about life, so they grow up to hate others and become sentimental in their dealings with others right from a tender age.
To build a better Africa, we must go the extra mile to re-orient the young ones and help them cultivate love for others irrespective of their past experiences and exposures. Our school curriculum should be revisited and this subject matter incorporated, such that from pre-nursery up to the university level, all African students are taught the need to love their country and others no matter what happens. Parents as well should be deliberate in cultivating a spirit of love for others in their children. If Africa will be great, love for others must take the first place and not love for self. People are corrupt in Africa because they love themselves at the expense of others. People perpetrate all kinds of evil in Africa because of little or no concern for others. Leaders in Africa are involved in money laundering because they have no love for the poor and languishing people whom they are leading. Young people have become kidnappers of their fellows and even end up killing others due to a lack of love for them. If we Africans will develop a love for others, we will seek their good and will not think or plan evil against others.
What it takes to build a better Africa is for all Africans to love others more than themselves. It is for them to put the interest and good of others first before theirs. To love oneself first is human but to love others first before oneself is divine. May all Africans embrace the divine life so that they can love others first. The love for others among Africans will vanquish all evil that has wasted the continent and make Africa better than any ever have imagined.
Let love for others lead!
Written by
Isreal Ogra
Effective Educational Leader
