“It’s time for Africa to begin its journey to Mars”
August 21st, 2017
Ope Adetayo, 18, a Correspondent from Lagos, Nigeria, offers a vision for progress and innovation in Africa.
The world is at a time where technological developments have offered a different complexion to human existence. It’s a time where nothing is impossible, a time where there is a concrete possibility of human colonization on Mars.
The new future is 2040.
As the world looks forward, what is Africa’s focus? What age are we anticipating? What era are we inventing? This is a very grave question that begs scholarly interventions and a firmly decisive answer.
Regrettably, Africa’s history is notorious for its noted phases of slavery, which have interrupted its racial evolution and deprived it of its capacity for progress. The history is perpetually etched in the memory of time that no amount of effort can nullify.
But more unfortunate, however, another impending colonization, albeit with slight distinctions from our previous collective experience. This time, it is technological. Our lethargy will be the one ruling us because we are not inventing.
Africa will have to justify its presence in this new world. That justification can only come from our contributions to create – or recreate – like we have never done before in our history.
The onus for this push to innovation lies with our university system. At present, the curriculum offers no practical relevance to innovation. A purely theoretical education is impotent and lacks capacity for invention. In my opinion, Nigeria is perfectly positioned to champion Africa’s scientific revolution. Blessed with a substantial labour force, the country has the wherewithal to sit in the driver’s seat to drive technology’s growth.
If the rest of the world is going to Mars, we should be going too. Africa must wake from its slumber.
Every day, scientific watersheds are being negotiated while Africa looks from the sidelines. Africa must begin its rediscovery in the world of science and technology so as to register its commitment to tackling the numerous challenges that besiege humanity.
The journey to Mars has begun quite a while, but we must all go together. There is a mars in all facets of our lives. Mars is simply that yet inaccessible areas of possibilities. There is also mars in health, defence, telecommunications, agriculture, education, etc. Africa must begin its journey to Mars. Now!
Reach me on Twitter @Opeadetayo1
photo credit: mripp via photopin (license)
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About me: I am Ope Adetayo, an undergraduate of Performing Arts at the University of Ilorin. I enjoy indelible interest in literary and critical writing, theatre works and journalism among others, which I use as my platform to propagate my ideas, to project a better future for African youths, and to improve its political and humanitarian systems. I am the author of Age and Blood and I hope to write more books in the future.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/
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