Reclaiming Africa’s Narrative: A Call to Unity, Self-determination and Renaissance

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In 1988, during the waning days of apartheid, South Africa’s then-president P.W. Botha allegedly made a declaration so abhorrent it still echoes in the ears of all who believe in justice and equality: “Black people cannot rule themselves because they don’t have the brain and mental capacity to govern a society.” This vile statement, whether apocryphal or not, encapsulates the supremacist ideology that underpinned centuries of colonial subjugation, racial discrimination and the systemic erosion of African dignity.

But time has proven Botha and all who think like him resoundingly wrong.

The Colonial Disruption of African Societies
Before European intervention, Africa was not a dark, directionless wilderness as imperialists often depicted. It was a continent bursting with vibrant civilizations, flourishing trade routes and governance systems grounded in consensus, justice and communal responsibility. From the intellectual legacy of Timbuktu in Mali, the economic might of the Benin and Oyo empires, to the political sophistication of the Ashanti and Zulu nations, Africa was anything but backward.

Colonialism was not a civilizing mission, it was a criminal enterprise. It dismantled well-structured societies, imposed arbitrary borders, stole natural resources and pitted ethnic groups against one another to divide and rule. The very chaos and underdevelopment often blamed on Africans today are direct consequences of this historical sabotage.

Yet, amid the ruins, Africa’s spirit was never broken.

African Leaders Advocating for Self-Reliance and Unity
Across the ages, a cadre of fearless African leaders emerged to confront neocolonialism and resurrect the dream of a self-determined continent. These were not mere politicians, they were revolutionaries, thinkers and builders.

Thomas Sankara, the martyred President of Burkina Faso, remains one of the most iconic voices against foreign domination. He warned, “He who feeds you, controls you.” Sankara rejected dependency on Western aid, choosing instead to launch agricultural reforms, nationalize land and promote local industries. His vision was clear: true liberation begins with economic independence.

He also exposed the deceptive nature of imperialism: “Imperialism often occurs in more subtle forms like a loan, food aid, blackmail.” His words ring truer today, as many African economies are buried under unsustainable debt and politically motivated aid packages.

Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s transformational leader, has demonstrated that African nations can rise from the ashes of genocide through homegrown solutions. He declared, “In Africa today, we recognize that trade and investment and not aid, are pillars of development.” Under Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda has embraced technology, promoted gender equality and prioritized good governance, becoming a beacon of possibility on a continent that has suffered relentless mischaracterization.

Muammar Gaddafi, controversial but undeniably visionary, imagined a “United States of Africa.” He sought a single African currency, passport and military force—tools that could end external manipulation and promote Pan-African strength. Though his methods were divisive and his end tragic, Gaddafi’s dream for African unity remains relevant and necessary.

These leaders flawed yet courageous yet understood a fundamental truth: Africa’s future cannot be outsourced.

The Path Forward: Rewriting the African Script
To reclaim Africa’s narrative, Africans must take control of the pen. The stories we tell, the policies we adopt and the vision we cast must be authentically African and unapologetically bold.

1. Promote Pan-African Unity
The 55 nations of Africa must act as one. Whether confronting climate change, foreign exploitation or security threats, UNITY is our STRONGEST weapon. Regional integration through platforms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a step in the right direction, but integration must go beyond economics; it must be ideological, cultural and political. Africa must speak with one voice in the global arena.

2. Invest in Education and Innovation
An education system that glorifies colonial figures while ignoring Africa’s own thinkers is complicit in mental slavery. Curricula across Africa must teach our history of our heroes, our philosophers and our scientists. From Imhotep of Egypt to Cheikh Anta Diop of Senegal, Africa has produced intellectual giants. We must train a generation that is technologically competent, globally competitive and deeply rooted in its heritage.

3. Celebrate Cultural Heritage
Our languages, clothing, music and rituals are not primitive relics, they are treasures. The Yoruba, Swahili, Hausa, Zulu and many other languages must be preserved, promoted and passed on. Cultural pride is not merely symbolic. It is the foundation of psychological liberation. Africans must stop measuring progress by how closely they resemble the West.

4. Strengthen Governance and Institutions
Corruption, weak institutions and authoritarianism are cancers eating away at Africa’s future. But they are not intrinsic to African DNA, they are the legacy of extractive colonial structures. We must dismantle those legacies. Transparent elections, independent judiciaries, press freedom and civic engagement are not luxuries; they are necessities. Democracy must be African-owned and people-driven.

5. Reduce Dependency on External Aid
No nation becomes great by surviving on handouts. Aid often comes with strings attached, strings that entangle sovereignty. Africa must mobilize its resources from agriculture and minerals to youth and innovation and to build sustainable economies. Local production, regional value chains and intra-African trade are the way forward.

Reclaiming the Mind: The Final Frontier
Colonialism did not only conquer land, it colonized the mind. Until we unlearn inferiority and embrace the richness of our identity, progress will remain elusive. Frantz Fanon warned, “The colonized can see only one solution: to rise in arms and reclaim his humanity.” Today’s weapons, however, are not guns but ideas. Our battle is against ignorance, division and dependency.

The media must stop portraying Africa as a CONTINENT of DESPAIR. African writers, filmmakers, academics and entrepreneurs must tell their own stories. Platforms like Nollywood, Afrobeat, African Literature and tech startups are already rewriting perceptions, but more must be done.

Lastly: Inventing the Future
The lie that Africans cannot govern themselves has been shattered by history, resilience and the defiant march of time. The continent that gave birth to humanity is more than capable of shaping its own destiny.

As Thomas Sankara passionately declared, “We must dare to invent the future.” That future is one where Africans are united not just by geography but by purpose. A future where the youth are empowered, the elders respected, the culture celebrated and the leadership accountable.

Africa is not a victim, it is a victor in waiting. It needs no savior from the outside. The answer lies within: in its people, its traditions, its resources and its unyielding spirit.

The time to reclaim the narrative is now. The time to rise, to build…to lead is now!

NANS ZONAL STRUCTURE DISOWNS ATIKU ABUBAKAR ISAH, DECLARES OMOYELE SOWORE AND HIS PLATFORM AS BETRAYAL OF THE STRUGGLE

The attention of the leadership of the zonal structures of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been drawn to the ignoble actions and utterances of one Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, who recently declared himself as the President of NANS-an act which is both illegal and deceitful.

It is utterly disappointing that a senior cadre like Comr. Abubakar Atiku, whose active participation in NANS dates back to between 2000 and 2010, would resort to such desperate antics. More alarming is the fact that this same individual contested the Kogi State governorship election under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the recent off-cycle election, yet today has descended so low as to impersonate the office of NANS President without contesting or even participating in the democratic process of the recently concluded NANS Convention.

We are shocked beyond measure that Comr. Abubakar Atiku, an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the only institution he attended as a student activist, has allowed himself to be used as a political tool to discredit the very structure that made him. His actions are not only embarrassing but constitute a slap on the face of genuine comrades who have continued to uphold the sanctity of the students’ movement.

The Zonal and State structures of NANS hereby dissociate ourselves totally from Comr. Abubakar Atiku and his self-acclaimed presidency. He is neither a candidate in the last election nor constitutionally qualified to contest. It is, therefore, criminal for him to parade himself as the President of NANS.

We understand that his actions may be tied to the ongoing political realignments in the country. However, it is evil and unacceptable for any product of NANS, whether senior or junior cadre, to allow our collective identity to be exploited for political hatchet jobs. We advise Comr. Atiku to reflect deeply and retrace his steps before it is too late. For someone aspiring to become a state chief executive, nothing can be more shameful than engaging in a petty and dirty fight with a legitimately elected student leader.

For the records, we affirm and recognize Comr. Olushola Oladoja is the only legitimate President of NANS, duly elected by Nigerian students. He remains the leader we voted for and continue to stand with.

Furthermore, we express our deep disappointment and sense of betrayal at the continued attacks on NANS by Comr. Omoyele Sowore, former President of the University of Lagos Students’ Union and an active Senator of NANS in the 1990s. Sowore, through his Sahara Reporters platform, has chosen to undermine the image of an organization he once belonged to by continuously publishing false and fabricated stories against NANS.

Let it be known that the spirit and letter of the struggle will one day demand accountability from Sowore, who has since demonstrated nothing but bitterness and frustration against the movement. Since the time NANS respectfully declined to join his visionless #RevolutionNow protest, he has resorted to blackmail and propaganda against the association.

We hereby declare Sahara Reporters as persona non grata in all student events and activities across the federation. We warn strongly that the medium should stay clear of student affairs or be ready to face the wrath of Nigerian students in full measure.

NANS will not allow itself to be hijacked or dragged into self-serving and unpatriotic protests or political distractions. We shall continue to remain an independent and progressive voice of Nigerian students across all institutions.

Signed:

Zone A Coordinator, NANS

Zone B Coordinator, NANS

Zone C Coordinator, NANS

Zone D Coordinator, NANS

Zone E Coordinator, NANS

Zone F Coordinator, NANS

RCCG’s Quintessential Pastor Peter Oyediran Celebrates His Birthday in Grand Style
…A beacon of exceptionalism

~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

I am thrilled to offer my warmest congratulations to you on this extraordinary day, Friday, the 2nd of May 2025, as one of your adopted sons. It is an honor to celebrate your special birthday alongside Pastor Peter Oyediran’s family

Sir, on this momentous occasion, we acknowledge the profound influence your life has exerted on those around you. May you be appreciative of the love, support, and blessings you’ve received, and may you continue to serve as a source of inspiration and joy to all who know you.

It is a privilege to join your family, friends, the entire membership of RCCG Jesus House Huntsville Alabama USA, and well-wishers in commemorating this momentous occasion, and I wish you a birthday filled with love, laughter, and every joy

As you observe another year of life today, may the Almighty continue to lavish His blessings upon your new age, granting you enhanced success, grace, favor, mercies, and enduring blessings, and from this day forward, all reports and testimonies concerning you and your household shall be exceedingly positive

Your exceptional merits have earned you a prestigious position among your peers in Christendom, and I advise you to maintain this elevated standard, Sir.
I fervently pray that God will continue to bestow His blessings upon you and be gracious and kind to you now and forever. I wish you many happy returns, ma’am. Igba odun, odun kan ni ooo L’oruko Jesu.

Oluwaseun Fabiyi, your faithful adopted son and media advisor writes from Lagos, Nigeria