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Chains to Contracts: The Evolution of Slavery in the Modern Age

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Chains to Contracts: The Evolution of Slavery in the Modern Age By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Chains to Contracts: The Evolution of Slavery in the Modern Age

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

When we speak of slavery, the mind drifts to shackles, auction blocks, and the haunting cries from the belly of slave ships. Yet, the horror of slavery is not buried in the past. It walks among us in suits, uniforms, sweatshops, and the dimly lit rooms of human trafficking dens. Slavery has not died, it has evolved. The faces are familiar, the chains invisible, the cruelty repackaged.

It is not that humans today are still being bought and sold in open markets though in Libya and parts of the Middle East, they are but that their dignity continues to be auctioned off for profit, power, and silence.

As the American philosopher Noam Chomsky once said, “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.” This is the nature of modern slavery: hidden beneath systems, laws, and economics that present themselves as “normal.”

A Mirror to the Past
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Africans were deemed subhuman beasts of burden, creatures of muscle without mind or soul. Slave traders and their wealthy patrons justified this evil with religion, pseudoscience, and imperial law. French philosopher Voltaire once wrote shamefully that “negroes are inferior to whites.” Such beliefs laid the foundation for centuries of inhuman treatment.

Today, slavery has become more sophisticated, but no less brutal. According to the Global Slavery Index 2023, over 50 million people worldwide are currently trapped in modern slavery. This includes forced labor, child marriage, debt bondage, and sex trafficking. India, China, Pakistan, and Nigeria rank among the highest in prevalence. In the Gulf States, African and Asian workers live under “kafala” sponsorship systems that rob them of freedom. In Eritrea, conscription is lifelong. In parts of Southeast Asia, women are groomed, raped, and sold. Slavery now wears a suit and calls itself industry.

Yet what binds the slavery of the past to that of the present is one thing: a lack of understanding and empathy.

Understanding Is the First Step Toward Justice
In the days of the transatlantic slave trade, African slaves were deemed less than human. Today, victims of trafficking are called “illegal immigrants.” Workers in sweatshops are seen as statistics. Street children are dismissed as delinquents. Refugees fleeing war are labeled threats.

This is not just ignorance, it is the weaponization of ignorance.

As Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah argues in The Ethics of Identity, the failure to see the other as fully human “with dreams, fears, histories, and hopes” is what makes exploitation possible. “Recognition is the first human gift we owe one another,” he wrote. Without that recognition, oppression festers.

Philosophers, Prophets, and the Common Man
Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave turned intellectual giant, once declared, “Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave.” That is as true today as it was in 1855. The more we understand the interconnected systems that perpetuate human suffering, the less likely we are to participate in them silently.

Jean-Paul Sartre, a French existentialist, warned us that freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you. The enslaved of old were beaten into obedience; the modern slave is conditioned into silence by poverty, patriarchy, and precariousness.

Listen to the market woman in Lagos who cannot afford to send her daughter to school, only to later find out that child has been trafficked to Europe. Hear the cries of the boy from Bangladesh, working 16 hours in a factory for global brands. Are they not as human as the plantation slave of Georgia or the rubber-tapper of colonial Congo?

Capitalism, Complicity, and the New Chains
Karl Marx once said, “Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor.” That vampire has grown fangs. Under today’s global capitalism, workers are expendable, outsourced, and underpaid. Tech companies boast billions while their workers sleep in tents. Brands celebrate “diversity” while profiting off child labor in cobalt mines.

Even in developed nations, slavery thrives, subtly. Undocumented immigrants labor in farms, homes, and factories, afraid to speak out. Domestic workers suffer abuse behind closed doors. Prisons, especially in the U.S., operate as labor mills, where disproportionately Black inmates work for pennies.

Slavery is no longer a crime against humanity, it has become a business model.

Black Child, Think!
The hashtag #THINKBLACKCHILD is a cry for mental emancipation. It is not enough to learn about slavery in school and shake our heads in pity. We must trace its living roots in our modern institutions, from education and law enforcement to global trade and entertainment.

Bob Marley once sang, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.” The Black child must learn to question systems, to trace patterns, to see the world through the lens of justice, not convenience.

Solutions or Silence?
We must start by naming the evil. Modern slavery must be declared a global emergency. Governments must criminalize and dismantle the structures “legal or illegal” that permit exploitation. Rich nations must stop preaching democracy while buying cocoa, diamonds, and garments harvested through suffering.

Education must be decolonized. Economic systems must be people-centered. And every citizen must ask: Who is paying the price for my convenience?

A quote often misattributed to Edmund Burke says, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Whether said by Burke or not, the truth stands.

The Fire Next Time:
The legendary James Baldwin warned, “If we do not now dare everything, the fulfillment of that prophecy, recreated from the Bible in song by a slave, is upon us: God gave Noah the rainbow sign, no more water, the fire next time.”

We have run out of excuses. The chains may look different, the auctions may be digital, and the plantations may be replaced by factory floors, but the crime remains. Slavery still walks among us. What are we doing about it?

To compare animals to enslaved humans, as some do, is not only offensive to history but distracts from the ongoing slavery of humans today. The better comparison is between the enslaved of yesterday and the exploited of now, both victims of a world that too often sees people as tools, not souls.

Until every child walks free, until every laborer earns with dignity, and until every woman’s body is hers alone; the fight is not over.

Chains to Contracts: The Evolution of Slavery in the Modern Age By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves ₦3.759 Billion For Gusau Water Supply Rehabilitation

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April 28, 2026

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves ₦3.759 Billion For Gusau Water Supply Rehabilitation

 

The Zamfara State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, has approved the sum of ₦3,759,931,812.50 for the immediate rehabilitation of the Gusau Water Supply Scheme (Phase I). This forms part of the administration’s sustained efforts to address water scarcity and improve access to clean and safe water in the state capital.

 

The approval was granted during a meeting of the State Executive Council following the submission of a memorandum by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, which sought urgent intervention on the deteriorating water supply system in the Gusau metropolis.

 

The project is aimed at restoring efficient water production and distribution across the city, ensuring reliable service delivery to residents, and strengthening public health and sanitation standards.

 

The State Government further reaffirmed that funding for the project has been duly captured in the 2026 Appropriation Law, reflecting its commitment to prioritizing critical infrastructure and improving the quality of life of citizens.

 

Upon completion, the Zamfara State Water Corporation will oversee the operation and maintenance of the rehabilitated facilities to ensure sustainability and long-term service delivery.

 

This initiative underscores the commitment of the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal to addressing key developmental challenges and fulfilling its promise to provide essential services to the people of Zamfara State.

 

The government calls on residents to support ongoing efforts and cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure the successful execution of the project.

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Oluwatope Oluwadarasimi Applauds FG’s Stance Against Raw Mineral Export, Urges Stakeholder Support.

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17 hours ago

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April 28, 2026

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Oluwatope Oluwadarasimi Applauds FG’s Stance Against Raw Mineral Export, Urges Stakeholder Support.

 

Oluwatope Oluwadarasimi has commended the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, for his firm stance that mining licenses in Nigeria will only be granted to investors who demonstrate clear, actionable plans to add value to raw materials within the country.

 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oluwadarasimi praised the Minister’s reaffirmation — made during his address at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference — that the Federal Government will no longer award licenses to investors who merely extract and export raw minerals without contributing to local processing and industrial development.

 

He described the policy direction as “a bold and necessary step toward strengthening Nigeria’s economy and ending decades of dependence on raw material exports.”

 

*‘African Minerals Must Create African Wealth’*

Oluwadarasimi, who has consistently championed the principle that _“African minerals must create African wealth,”_ said prioritizing in-country beneficiation and processing is critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

 

“Value addition is non-negotiable if we are serious about industrialization,” he stated. “Processing our minerals locally will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, enhance technology transfer, boost small and medium-scale industries, and significantly increase national revenue through higher-value exports.”

 

He noted that Nigeria loses billions annually by exporting unprocessed lithium, gold, barite, and other critical minerals, while importing finished products made from those same resources. “This policy breaks that cycle,” Oluwadarasimi added.

 

*Call for Responsible Investment and Stakeholder Alignment*

Oluwadarasimi emphasized that the Minister’s position would encourage responsible investment, promote sustainable and environmentally sound mining practices, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global minerals value chain.

 

He urged stakeholders across the mining sector — including foreign investors, local operators, financial institutions, and host communities — to support the government’s vision by aligning their operations with policies that promote local value addition, skills development, and economic growth.

 

“Compliance is not just regulatory; it is patriotic and profitable,” he said. “Investors who process locally will find a ready market, government incentives, and a more stable operating environment.”

 

*A New Era for Solid Minerals*

Oluwadarasimi concluded by reiterating his support for the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and expressed optimism that this strategic direction would usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

 

“The era of ‘dig and ship’ must end. With Minister Alake’s leadership, we are seeing the political will to ensure Nigeria’s mineral wealth finally works for Nigerians,” he said.

 

Oluwatope Oluwadarasimi is an advocate for resource nationalism, industrial development, and sustainable mining practices in Africa.

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Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise” — Dr Chris Okafor

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April 28, 2026

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Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise”
— Dr Chris Okafor

…Evil communication corrupts good character
…The Holy Spirit is the seal of redemption

 

 

True Christian living, beyond winning souls, requires nurturing and sustaining new converts in the faith. This was the central message delivered by the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr Chris Okafor, during a teaching on “Understanding the Act of Discipleship.”
According to him, soul winning without proper establishment and follow-up defeats its purpose. “The goal is not just conversion but fruitfulness and continuity in Christ,” he emphasized, noting that believers must also understand the conditions that make prayers effective.

The Necessity of Discipleship

Dr Okafor outlined why discipleship is essential in the Christian journey:
New converts require guidance to withstand temptations that could pull them back into their former ways.
They must gradually disconnect from relationships and habits that previously weakened their faith.
Support systems should be in place to help them navigate personal and spiritual challenges.
Consistent follow-up, rooted in love and care, helps prevent discouragement and negative perceptions.
Proper integration into the body of Christ strengthens their sense of belonging and commitment.

Understanding Discipleship

He described discipleship as a deliberate process of helping believers grow in Christ and align with godly principles rather than worldly influences. It involves:
Guiding converts until Christ is fully formed in them.
Transmitting biblical values that strengthen their faith and daily conduct.

Practical Approach to Discipleship

The cleric highlighted key methods for effective discipleship:
Fervent prayer for the spiritual stability of new believers.
Demonstrating genuine love and consistent care.
Regular follow-up visits and visible engagement.
Encouraging early infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching habits that sustain spiritual growth.

Habits That Strengthen Faith

To remain grounded, believers were encouraged to cultivate:
Daily study of the Word of God
Consistent prayer and fellowship with God
Active participation in church gatherings
Bold expression of their faith
A conscious rejection of unrighteousness
Deep-rooted commitment to the house of God

A Foundation for Growth

In conclusion, Dr Chris Okafor stressed that discipleship thrives when believers are rooted in sound spiritual guidance. “When you walk with the wise, you become wise,” he said, adding that strong spiritual formation protects individuals from negative influences and preserves godly character.

The Grace Nation Global Sunday Communion Service, observed by members worldwide, featured testimonies, healing sessions, deliverance, and a special child dedication, rounding off the service on a note of faith and celebration.

 

Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise” — Dr Chris Okafor

By Sunday Adeyemi
[email protected]

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