Interestingly, one line became more like a buzz word in Obama’s campaign messages: yes! We can. That is the language and the spirit of true winners, which today has turned all his yesterday’s dreams to become a reality against all odds. When translated in a local parlance, ‘yes! We can’ could mean ‘yes! We fit’. This is an immense lesson that Obama has left for every black-skinned man and woman.

Let’s bring this message home. Our dear continent is almost in a state of hopelessness, and desperately in need of the introduction of this Obamaic spirit and attitude. It’s noteworthy that President Obama is our brother and has shown that it is in our blood (as Africans) to cause positive change whenever we decide to think it and act it. But the problem is that many of us have failed to realize this, and equally have not taken adequate steps to making it happen.

It is ten years into the twenty-first century and it’s the same old story about our Mother land, if not worse. We are still far away from the Millennium Development Goal (MDG), which is just few years away.

Sometimes I will wonder if we must remain like this forever. God forbid! But something decisive must be done to reverse this ugly state of Africa and make this continent a home indeed. And it’s our responsibility; you and I and every African all over the world to realize this objective.

Often times, when I look at this continent, I’d wonder what our problem really is; blessed in every way but we are still far from development and human advancement. I have been privilege to in a couple of African countries, and see that same Africanness in everywhere I go. Ironically, that Africanness (identity) is not what we should be proud of. It’s the same backwardness, the same struggle, the same hunger, the same political instability, the same poor health facility,…and the worse of all, the same mentality! I just feel like correcting this anomaly (that we have come to embrace) by the wave of hands but then again, it’s not so.

There is better life than what we have seen and known, and every African deserves it! Africans still watch how other people live outside this continent. We can live the same, if not better. However, we can only reach this new height when we change the way we think. Africa is more than what the world think we are, and even what we think of ourselves and our race. It’s a sheer self-inflicted wound for us to settle for something less when we can do more. And we can.

I may not be wrong to say that things were relatively better when I was younger (I mean in country Nigeria). The big question now is: where did we get it wrong. What has happened to our Africa? This has become more like a rhetoric question. There are different answers as there are different people’s perspectives to this subject. But it still boils down to not just our bad actions, but largely our inactions influenced by our mental posture; looks more like slave mentality! Africans must make progress within for it to show without. And truly we can; I mean we fit!

The problem of Africa is in our failure to rise up to the occasion, and face our challenges head-on. There’s nothing like African mentality. Somebody tell me, where on earth did that word came from in the first place? Why can’t the so-called Africa mentality be what to celebrate? Be it as it may, it’s not over with our beloved continent.

The truth is that we can write this story and we can; I mean we fit! We fit provide quality education for our children. We fit live in a crime-free society. We fit live in an environment where good health facilities will no longer be a luxury. We fit upgrade our high standard of living. Yes, we fit! Only you and I can make it be. African can have a pride of place in the comity of nations.

But we’ve got to think right and take right responsibility to making them be. It’s not over with our race. Fellow Africans, it’s not over with us. And that change can begin with you and me. Our fathers may have failed us but we should not fail our children. Let’s see that change, let’s embrace it, work it, and then we’d have it. The time to begin is now! It’s in our hands to re-write history. Indeed, Africa can and we will. Later, it would not only be said that we fit, and that we did! God bless our homeland Africa.

– Tony Ajah

As Africans living abroad, our role in Africa’s development is none different from that of those on the continent, which is to take ownership of our continent’s problems and leadership for the continent’s development through every facet of our endeavors abroad. We must think of ourselves as soldiers of the continent who went on a retreat to reflect, to learn, to grow, to meet new people and to expand our horizons for the ultimate goal of being able to contribute the best of both worlds to our individual countries.

Hence, as we create a new life for ourselves abroad while pursuing an education or a career, our minds and eyes must remain fixated on the continent’s development. The reality of the world that we live in today is that no one else will fix Africa’s problem apart from Africans themselves. The world is tired of passing handouts to us; we too ought to be tired of receiving handouts and of being the main issue facing the world. Moreover, we are capable of creating the Africa that we all yearn for. As President Obama said in his address to the 115 African youth leaders, “the future is whatever we make of it”, as such this is the time especially as seventeen African countries turn 50 this year for us to come together in whatever circles of influence that we have to reflect and plan for what the future of our continent must become. Several political heroes and heroines fought for our emancipation from colonialism and set us on the political path that we currently are on, the question then is, what political path are we going to be creating for the unborn generation? What type of future are our unborn children bound to inherit if we continue on the path that we are currently on? Whether we like it or not, we are indebted to the future generation of our continent, it is our responsibility to ensure that they inherit a brighter future than that which we inherited. It is our responsibility to ensure that our unborn children do not have the same complains that we have today. It is our responsibility to ensure that our unborn children are proud to be Africans and that they do not have to contend with the misty African identity that we are faced with today.

It is no longer fashionable or cool to complain about the ills of the continent without proffering solutions. If you cannot offer solutions or be a part of the solution, please keep your mouth sealed and consider the advice of George Shaw that says: “People who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it”.

As Africans in Diaspora, we have a formidable advantage in the aspect of making a great difference on the continent because of our dual perspective on issues, leverage of global resources at our service abroad and access to other global youths that have similar visions. We must continue to make a nexus between these three leverages that we have and instill consciousness and purpose into the work that we do abroad.

One of my favorite quotes from Oprah Winfrey is: “I do not know what the future holds but I know who holds the future”. Do we hold the future of our continent? We must be able to say a resounding yes to this question.

While you are away, here are a few suggested things to do to keep you engaged and plugged into the mission of making a difference at home:

Help your fellow Africans and the community:

They say Charity begins at home, your fellow Africans that move to your town need all the help to settle into their new home. Please give all the help you can to them. In assisting new students, you can sign up with your international center to pick them up from the airport, or have a welcome dinner for them, or a welcome to town 101 session to help answer questions and provide advise. For new Africans that come as skilled workers, you can help by connecting with your local immigrant society to learn about ways in which you can assist them. Simple ideas that can be implemented includes organizing a meet and greet, creating a network of community members that are willing to help new immigrants to settle in and pairing them up accordingly, creating an information/used household item bank which can serve as a medium to communicate information as well as pair people that are willing to donate their household items to people that need them.

We must learn to help and appreciate ourselves while also creating value within our own community. Being able to show love and appreciation to each other at a grassroots level will enable us be of greater service to our nations when we get to the level of political leadership.

Honor the community that is hosting you:

There is nothing more disrespectful than not honoring your roots or the land that gives you a platform to become an active participant in the world. So as you make your self temporarily comfortable in your new home abroad, please endeavor to learn about the culture and the people you are sharing their home with; that is the least you can do. Try to volunteer for any local organization in whatever way that works for you, attend local events and make it a point to go out and make new friends. It is astonishing how amazing people can be and how easy it is to find a new family in this seemingly strange new home.

Keep your eyes fixed back home:

As you get comfortable abroad, please do not forget your roots. You cannot know where you are going to if you do not know where you are coming from. No matter how comfortable you may feel in your new home abroad, the truth is that it is still not your home. Your only home is where you came from. As much as possible, remain plugged in to the issues and the progress of your country and continent. Sign up for news from several vibrant news organizations that showcase issues as well as the progress in the continent. Some news agencies include BBC Africa, allafrica.com and CPAfrica.com. You may also visit www.unveilingafrica.org/resources for a detailed list of news outlets in different regions of Africa

Join a group:

Join an association or group that fosters community spirit amongst Africans; discusses and acts on global issues as well as African issues. If there are no groups in your area, consider forming yours. Do not limit your scope of influence on the continent to reading about and listening to the issues, consider volunteering for an African country to work on a development project. There are so many organizations and institutions that offer study and volunteer abroad opportunities for people, but the problem is that mainly non-Africans end up volunteering in African countries. This has to change! We need to be leaders of our own problems; it is not enough to complain about issues, we must also act!  Please include that in your career and study agenda abroad, in fact, you can make this exciting by planning a year ahead with a group of friends in your school to go volunteer or study abroad in an African country.

Get involved with non – African groups:

Take sometime to look for other non-African associations, student and youth groups existing in your area and try to see what they are up to. In the world that we live in today where the global is local, we thrive by working together. There are so many amazing people out there that are extremely passionate about their countries and global issues. Associating yourself with them is a way to keep you on a continuous path of learning and development while also helping you maintain focus on what is important in this journey of leading our continent to greatness. Moreover, many of the active youths you meet today are most likely going to be in the group of people that would be leading the world in the next 10 – 20 years. Meeting and working with other global youths today is like investing in relationships that could help accelerate your future endeavors.

All together, as Africans, the future of the continent is in our hands and will become whatever we make of it today. The quicker we internalize this fact, the better for us all.

Are you an African living abroad? Are you engaged with an African community abroad and the continent’s progress as a whole? If so, are there other things that you are doing to keep your self engaged and connected to the African community and issues?  If not, what are the obstacles and challenges preventing you? I would love to hear from you!

The President’s dire warning brings to mind similar cautions and remarks, a few years back, first by the United States Government, about the possibility of this country becoming a failed state within fifteen years from 2005, and secondly, our inclusion on the list of states that might break up sooner or later by reason of their refusal to do the right thing. It is appalling that fifty years after political freedom, the Nigerian nation-space remains a mono-cultural economy, still relying solely on income from oil, which we are now unable to refine, even though we have four (redundant) refineries. Fifty years on, we hold the singular record for being the only oil-producing country in the world which imports finished petroleum products. It is sadder when one considers a country like Singapore, which produces no oil whatsoever, but has invested in multiple refineries as a way of shoring up their relevance and revenue.

Nigeria consists of 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory; every one of those States has resources it can harness to reduce reliance on the “no-hassle” monthly sharing of oil money. The overwhelming majority of the States never bother to tap the resources within their borders, and, which is a pity, the proceeds from the oil wealth go into private pockets, the pockets of elected and un-elected office holders. No State makes any effort to become financially independent of the centre, in spite of scary statistics of the ordinary Nigerian living on less than one dollar a day. We recall, with agonizing nostalgia, the cocoa in the West, the groundnut pyramids in the North, rubber plantations/palm oil from the Mid-West and the coal/palm oil from the Eastern Region, proceeds from which were used judiciously then to develop the various Regions. Since Independence, particularly since the end of the Civil War, the situation has changed: corruption now holds sway. Today, at the end of every month, when sharing has taken place, there is noticeable movement of large sums of money out of the country. It is sad that Governors have no discretion to exercise in terms of using resources that come naturally within their boundaries. How facile is the act of governance made to look like when State Governors merely wait till the end of every month to collect cheques from the Federation Account, in Abuja!

The President was also right when he said, on the same occasion, that “It is quite obvious that all sectors of the economy would require rapid developmental changes if we are to attain our target of becoming one of the 20 most industrialized nations in the world in the year 2020”. In this regard, the World Bank had also warned that Nigeria should diversify her economy. A nation without industries and industrialization cannot and will never be among the top 20 economies of the world, in 2020, 2090 or after. We produce nothing comparable in terms of price or quality with similar imported products in the market, hampered as we are by an unfriendly economic environment. Even drugs as simple as malaria medicaments, produced by Nigerian pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, are more expensive than those manufactured abroad. We believe that government officials should divest themselves of all their undeserved perks until they can give the citizens the basic needs of life ─ health, constant energy supply, good roads, quality education, shelter and employment opportunities.

The President should lead in the foregoing directions, and others will follow. He should not expect hapless Nigerians to fall over themselves to pay taxes when they see widespread corruption by elected and selected government officials. We do not believe that any citizen would need to be coerced into paying taxes if he or she could see what government expends its funds on. Lagos State has proved that as a fact. Why should the President blame our reliance on oil money on refusal of citizens to pay taxes? We know that some oil-producing countries either exempt their citizens from tax payment as their benefit from oil wealth or provide free health, education etc. What is our profit in Nigeria?

This seeming attempt to heap blames on ordinary citizens misses the point. Who is to blame if Nigeria deceives herself by feeling comfortable in a situation of non-productivity and compulsive importation? We think the President should concentrate on providing an environment that would be conducive for Nigerians to produce. He must back his rhetoric with REAL action, now. Attracting investors to the country cannot be declared by fiat. One cannot force attraction; people will be attracted by what they see on ground, and not by brainwashing. What has the Federal Government done, for instance, to ease those areas that continually put Nigeria on the list of countries where it is difficult to do business? A situation where an importer must have contact with over 70 desks before his goods can be cleared at the ports, for instance, will not endear us to any serious businessman.

We do not believe anyone can legislate corruption out of any system. The former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, once said that corruption also existed, on a large scale, in developed economies, adding, however, that the developed economies had been able to enforce systems and legislation that made it extremely inconvenient for the fraudulent. When will corrupt people in Nigeria be made to explain the sources of their sudden, non-inherited and stupendous wealth? Why would former United States President, Bill Clinton, be unable to afford a home after two terms as President and a Minister or Assemblyman/woman in Nigeria lives in clover after a four-year tenure?

Yes, Mr. President, “change is a must, the time is up”, but please, let the changes start from the top; let the changes start with you at the top. The last “Honors List” certainly did nothing to dispel the notion that corruption pays!

By Mayowa Micheal Adeleye

In early June this year, global strategy firm, the Boston Consulting Group published a report on the rising profile of forty fast growing and globalizing companies on the continent. Aptly named “The African Challengers,” the report showcased leading African firms with strong growth, annual sales ranging between $350 million to $80 billion and global ambitions. In late June, international consulting firm, McKinsey & Company released a report on African economies titled, “Lions on the Move: The progress and potential of African economies.”

Both reports are timely.

Only in May this year, World Bank Managing Director, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala asserted the rising profile of African economies at a speech she gave at the Harvard Kennedy School. According to her, Africa is poised to join the rank of the BRICs as the next big hub for global investment. With its fast growing population rate, the continent’s population is estimated to soon rival that of China and India and its trillion dollar economy has between 2000 and 2010, grown faster than that of economic power houses such as Brazil and India.

Many speculations about Africa’s rise have come and gone over the years without any of them becoming a reality. What makes this time different?

First, there is the boom in the African telecommunications space that has rapidly ushered in mobile telephony. The consequences of this boom cannot be ignored. With anticipated annual growth rates of about 12 percent from now till 2011, the continent’s current 450 million mobile phone subscriber base is likely to be on the increase. Mobile application developers that recognize the opportunity in mobile phones to increase access and provide much needed services such as M-PESA (Kenya’s mobile banking platform) will profit. The result is an entrepreneurship wave that can change the face of the continent.

Second is the youth bulge. A book published by the World Bank focusing on Africa’s youth labor market estimates the percentage of people between ages 12 – 24 on the continent at about 28%; and the percentage rate is not falling any time soon. By 2030, the continent is estimated to have as many youths as highly populous East Asia. Remember this does not account for the significant segment of the continent’s population between ages 24 – 40 who are young and virile.

The Bank rightly advocates that the bulge represents a window of opportunity for the continent. The present bulge represents the largest number in the continent’s history and is also historically the most educated cohort of youths in Africa. As such, the continent is currently experiencing an important demographic transition capable of making it or in fact breaking it. In the East Asian case, East Asian economies were able to reap the dividends of the demographic transition by putting the right policies and institutions in place. Will the same happen in Africa?

Currently, a large proportion of the continent still faces institutional problems that can materially impede on the bulge gains. But there is the internet.
A 2009 World Bank report found that a 10% increase in high speed internet connection increases economic growth by about 1.3%. Also, the internet brings along a myriad of benefits among which are an improved business environment, improved human capital, an increase in efficiency and communications and an increase in entrepreneurship. As the continent becomes more wired and as the aforementioned benefits become more apparent, Africa’s young generation will likely take advantage of the gains from higher inter connectivity. With the expansion of fiber optic bandwidth on the continent, the digital divide separating the continent from the rest of the world will likely come crashing down. Mobile internet will also be a force to reckon with, bringing the gains from telephony to the web as reduced prices of smart phones expands access to the continent’s middle and lower class.

Africa is rising not necessarily because of improved socio-economic numbers, but in spite of them. ICT is providing a way out for the young and the agile across the continent to circumvent the delimiting forces of bad institutions and weak governance. All we need is more access. Watch the continent soar…

Nmachi Jidenma is Founder of CP-Africa.com, a Pan-African age website that showcases progressive African ideas, news and personalities.

CP – Africa is a proud Media partner of  Unveiling Africa Foundation.

Unveiling Africa is so excited to announce what is sure to be an amazing event! We have collaborated with the Breath In Poetry Collective to put together a night of awe-inspiring spoken word and music.

Oral Tradition will be a night of story telling and testimony through the use of poetry and music. If you’re a lover of spoken word or music, this is one event you absolutely cannot miss. We’ve got some of Edmonton’s finest talent, including members of the Inaugural Edmonton Poetry Slam Team.

Our main feature all the way from Ottawa, for the first time in Edmonton, The Recipe!

Who is The Recipe?

The Recipe is the super group of spoken word poetry in Canada. On November 14th, 2009 team Ottawa was crowned the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word Champions in Victoria BC. The group’s chemistry and talent was too good to waste so they stayed together to create the entertaining, enlightening entity called The Recipe. Each member is a nationally acclaimed, award-winning artist. Combined they have shared the stage with Amir Sulaiman, Shihan and legendary poet Saul Williams. Members have performed their art across the globe, most recently The Recipe member Ian Keteku, competed in France at the World Poetry Slam and was crowned world champion! This group’s skill knows no bounds, and we are excited to bring them here to Edmonton! Check them out here

Date: Friday, July 23 2010
Time: 8pm
Venue: University of Alberta, French Faculty (8406 – 91 Street Edmonton)

Contact us:
780-604-4219 or breathinpoetry@gmail.com for tickets!
$10 in Advance, $15 at the door

Check out some of their past performances!

Unveiling Africa

She’s clothed in rags

In a wrinkled wretched linen

So helpless and hapless

The bystanders watched

With little or no concern

Some laughed or scorned

Some gazed indifferently

Others even took advantage

Of Her pure despondency

Poor fragile soul, poor Her

Who‘d save Her soul?

‘Twas a horrible sight

No drop of hope in sight

She’s utterly forgotten

By all and Her relatives

Who indulge in indulgence

In a better bright world

Perhaps at her expense

Poor fragile soul, poor Her

Who’d save Her soul?

A Virgin at Her prime

But lies in deep sorrow

And wrapped in thick obscurity

Could dear Heaven hear

And come for a rescue

Her overdue rescue

The broken hearts wept

Prayed and mourn for Her

Suddenly! There came

A ray of angelic light

That fiercely cuts through

Her shame and reproach

Unafraid of Her gloomy abode

Beyond every imagination

‘Twas a new breed

A new generation of hope

Yes! Her own brood

From Her own womb

Who emerged fearlessly

Like band of warriors

To re-write Her story

The story of Darling Mother

An unsung sweet song

Of the uncelebrated star

Surely, they did indeed

And unveiled Her glory

That was an amazing glory

Of an untold beauty

Long covered in dirt

And stinking dark veil

That long made Her

The only living outcast

No! The last outcast

Who could believe this story?

She’s like a phoenix

Risen from the ashes!

Yes! She risen indeed

In grandeur and splendour

All hail the Queen

The beautiful Empress

All hail Her majesty!

She’s awaken the music

So, let the beats go on!

(C) tony AJAH, 21.05.10

We continue to roll out the essay contest in Nigeria and have receive amazing support throughout the process! Check out this wonderful article by the Punch newspaper, on Unveiling Africa and the essay contest!

Nigeria at 50: Dreams and dreamers

As Nigeria reaches her 50th year as a country, a frenzy of activities is expected to take place to celebrate a landmark year. Not much is happening officially but Nigerians are putting their heads together to ensure that the anniversary is worth it.

A Canadian organisation, Unveiling Africa Foundation, as part of its expansion strategy, is organising two essay contests targeting secondary school students in Lagos and surrounding areas.

In Nigeria, the organisation is focusing on supplementing youth education by promoting critical thinking and community activism amongst Nigeria’s secondary school students.

The essay contest is scheduled for launch on Children’s Day, May 27, 2010. Junior Secondary School students will be writing on Nigeria at 50, Nigeria of my dreams, while senior secondary school students will be examining the topic, What is the role of secondary school students in Nigeria’s development?

UVA is founded by Nigerian-born youth activist, Chizoba Imoka, and according to her, the foundation is already perfecting plans to mark the official launch of Unveiling Africa Foundation Nigeria with a teenager’s nation-building symposium on The role of Nigeria’s secondary school students in Nigeria’s development. The launch will coincide with Nigeria’s golden Independence anniversary on October 1, 2010.

“Unveiling Africa will be hosting 50 public and private schools across Lagos. The purpose of this event is to spur critical thinking amongst secondary school students in Nigeria about social issues in the country, as well as providing tools for enabling positive development and change within the community. I also hope that the symposium will build relationships and mentorship networks amongst secondary school students and role model Nigerians,” she says.

“Amongst other things, it is our belief that the implementation of these initiatives will be the beginning of the birth of a generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, community activists and fearless leaders in our society. Ensuring a bright future for Nigeria is paramount and requires an early induction into critical thinking and community activism amongst its citizens.”

Imoka is confident that the two events are critical steps to laying the much-needed foundation for Nigeria’s future.

According to her, “It is our belief that Nigeria’s bright future is guaranteed in the hands of the upcoming generation which are the Nigerian children,” she enthuses, adding, “To enable this generation deliver a bright future for Nigeria, we strongly believe that there is a need for the Nigerian child to be inducted into a culture of critical thinking, community activism and problem solving in their developmental years. Teenagers are defined as individuals between the age of 9 – 18 years or students in JSS1 – SSS3.”

Prizes for the contest include: N75,000 – N150,000 Scholarship, Dinner with the Future Awards Alumni Network, and Mentorship Opportunities.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100526275020

Check back often for more updates!

Many of you may have noticed that UVA has been missing in action for a while; this is because we have been working behind the scenes to develop this website and to develop strategic relationships for our bright future ahead. Now that we are back, we are here in full force and energy to Unveil Africa with and to you. Welcome!

2010 promises to be another fulfilling year for UVA, we are excited about a lot of things. Firstly, this website. This website will provide a platform for us to continuously deliver on our mission which is to: ‘ Educate to Empower and Empower to Educate” through the knowledge, information and inspiration that we will be sharing and engaging you with. We will be unveiling and celebrating our continent in more dynamic ways through food, fashion, photography, politics, arts etc. Most importantly, this year will be about forming and building bridges from the past to present to future, from efforts in the Diaspora to ground work on the continent. We are committed to strengthening the platform here for African youths in Canada to channel contribution to the continent while also creating meaningful projects on the ground. On this end, we are proud to be launching in Nigeria this year with our Nigerian Teenager’s Nation Building project, which attempts to “Educate and Engage the Nigerian Teenager”. Be sure to learn more about this project.

Deeply rooted in our passion for a better continent and the determination to deliver a different future for our unborn generation, we believe that the Unveiling Africa is on the right track and that the future is bright for our motherland. We are motivated by the big picture that is full of possibilities and the passion, action and achievements so many young Africans around the world towards the fight for a better continent. I know that we will be the generation to emancipate our continent from its regression. It is a difficult and gruesome task but a necessary one to complete. We must not back down! Our past leaders have brought us this far, we must outrun them; we need to make sure we build our countries and continent on a solid foundation so that the upcoming generation will have a better place to live in. There has never been a better time to make the most out of ourselves as Africans.

Let’s go! Impossible is not African.

Long live Africa and Peace to the people of the world.

Chizoba (Chi-Chi) Imoka.

Founder/Director of Operations.

Like a son watching his mother struggle through the agony of death,
I stand helplessly with tears in my eyes watching your pain.
Raped naked of all your resources it is not right you are left with nothing but a sour name,
you would think the rivers worth of tears from the oppressed weak and poor,
that it would flood our hearts and minds with remembrance while replenishing your soul,
instead it doesn’t and this thought leaves me about as confused as a child representing a statue of skin and bones
searching for milk in breast that sag from malnourishment.

It is funny to mention that women in North America starvethemselves to represent the shape of an hour glass with more than enough to eat,
meanwhile, mothers in Africa watch hour glasses sadly onlooking their kids wondering when they will be able to eat.
In my minds eye, i see the pain and suffering across these man made borders
at mothers with the dwindling hope of ever receiving the cure for man made troubles that is leaving them without ease.
I stand firm on my beliefs that it should change, while they stand loosly on grounds soaked by flood waters carrying disease.

I love you mama, but my love is but a drop of rain in this land dried by years of hate like drought.
I am sorry my brothers sold themselves to the west and weren’t forcefully taken, i apologize for their greed.
Forgive me for thinking that I am anything different than my brothers and sisters that stayed behind that are in dire need
because, no matter where we are, regardless of what we force ourselves to belive, when one gets shot in Africa we all bleed.

They say, “proof is in the pudding” but they have no pudding to prove it.
I promise to be one of the many to take back supplies for them to live and to got o school with
because, your tribe my tribe, this talk can’t last, ties will be broken and wont be healed by cast.
Regardless of our deception and lies, mama Africa, you stayed humble and welcoming with green pastures and blue skies.

I know I have left for Canada, but Africa is where my soul has stayed, and when I return I will bring back educated
people of all colors and shades, to spread our love quicker than that of aids.
And no man shall stop me, or any of you reading this who are destined to lead this crusade.

Long Live Africa!