Darkness Amidst Light In Africa -African Leadership MagazineAdmin
By Stephen Lazi Akhere, Ph.DIn a Palaeolithic era, light was graciously sort for and was gotten throughmodernity. God Himself hates darkness with perfect hatred. Hence, the firstthing He did in the creation of the universe was ‘Light’. Since then till now,light has being a prerequisite for socioeconomic growth and technologicaldevelopment.Most developed and developing economy of the world invest so much onenergy source to drive their socioeconomic activities. More advance economyof the world took years, first to develop or better put it, sort for economicpower in energy sourcing. The world in a bid to constantly enjoyuninterrupted power supply had invented diverse energy sources, beginning
from geothermal energy which was first used by North Americans about10,000 years ago and hydro energy, discovered in 1829 by an Americancalled Allan Pelton in the 18th century. While Coal energy as man’s earliestsource of heart and light 3,000 years ago in the 16th century, with the firstcommercial mining in Richmond and Virginia in the year 1748.In a bid to expand possible usage of other sources of energy, the Egyptiansdiscovered windmill energy source in 5,000 BC. As it were, it was used toempower sailing boats, pump water for domestic/industrial usage and togrind harvested farm produces (grain) in the 17th century. The discovery ofcrude oil and gas energy sources in the 19th century gave credence tomodernity in global socioeconomic and technological advancement that isstill currently being enjoined, coupled with the latest discovery of eternalenergy and solar energy/inverter energy sources all, in the 21st centuryincluding the most recently on-going research on Urine as energy sourcerespectively.Thus, countries are still researching to find cheap, clean and affordableenergy sources for their citizens. In all of this, African State has deliberatelyrefused to source for lasting solution to her epileptic energy challenges. Mostprominent of them all is the Black Africans Race, which are disposed andsurrounded with abundance of natural energy sources, yet, prefers darknessrather than light.It is a woeful anomie and a paradoxical irony to be suffering in the means ofplenty due to either ignorance, self-centeredness, poverty of the mind,corruption, monopolistic selfishness, greed, share wicked and quest forcontrol of power or dominancy of the large proletariats who are largelyhelpless and unable to see within their sphere. I heard argument of schoolsof thought, that, over population caused Africa to be under developed orplaced as Third World Nations. I beg to dispute such assumption. Chine inAsian continent is the most populous country in the world follow by Indian.They are known to be developed countries within the same Asian continent.Over population could be a challenge when there are no planned equilibriumresources for both human and material development. History is incontention in this regard, if anyone is in doubt of history, he or she should goback to history books and find secrete behind the above mentionedassertions.It will be wrong for me to generalize this concept. There are few countries inthe continent of Africa who by their self-reliance and determination con besaid to have developed in their energy mix. But, because they are within thecontinent of Africa they are relegated to global segregation. Examples are:
Egypt the custodians of civilization in the world, Libya, Algeria, Morocco,South Africa, etc. nothing can be said about the Black Africans. Am notpicking on the black race, rather putting straight a statement of facts.Nigerian economy is a generator plant economy. A situation wherealternative generator becomes the major source of energy, while the nationalgrid becomes mere State’s antiquity, contributing nothing to the growth ofthe economy.Erroneously, we seems to put all blames on our colonial patriots. Patriots inthe sense that they willingly relinquished independence to Nigerians withoutbloodshed. But, we forgot that freedom is by choice and the challenges thatherald freedom is development. We are at liberty to break away from theexisting colonial methodology of doing things like the American did. Beingcolonized by British, at in dependence, they made up their mind to channel anew value system for their new country call America. Their forefathersdiverted completely by creating new social order from British socioculturalstructure (spoken English language), to creating their own academiccurriculum for their schools, army, constitution, law, foreign policy etc.embellish with the American ideas. Today, America is currently the army ofthe world and first amongst equals.Nigeria is 56 years post-independence, yet she has not find her baring inenergy and power sources. Leaders have come and gone, the debate andcounter debate is endless in this regard. We are so blind not to see theabundance of what the Almighty God deposited in the country hugeuntapped human and mineral resources that will equate us to global equity,but our poor metaphysics capability and vain leadership style in harnessingthese natural wealth has kept us under developed. Nigerians in the diasporahas proved tremendous self-assertion in countries they found themselves,yet at the home front, political piccolos and socio-mediocals foundthemselves in corridors of governance with a view to promote execute billsfor the erudite society.I refuse to be cut in the web of definity concern persons who have ruled thecountry or those currently in power that have failed in the actualization ofsustainable energy policy in Nigeria. Energy is a fundamental bedrock uponwhich technological development, commence, industries, agriculture,education, health, and entrepreneurial revolutions evolve. Even during pre-colonial era, lambs lights are strategically place at footpath roads,compounds, houses, etc. to eliminated darkness because is repulsive,retrogress and evil. The presence of light indicates wealth and prosperity,development and civilization. As long as we remain in darkness, we are notlikely to see beyond our nose. That is, development is likely not to comearound soonest, and the trickle downward impact is that, it triggers and
energises underdevelopment of various forms of social vices.While the policy of government on the importation of generating plants intothe country is still on-going, government have abusively allow the system toriot at the expense of the domestic economy. That is, very few who still wantthe importation of generating plants of different sizes to continue floodingthe economy with fragrant disrespect to huge capital flight experienced inthe country. There is a strong elitist conspiracy in the area of installationvandalism and policy sabotage against government energy/power policyreforms. These sect are the elites of the society, while the downtrodden arefoot soldiers of vandals due to survival instinct or better put poverty. Theyact like wild buffalo with uncontrollable vexation to tear and destroy thepotentials of the country without recourse to its advert negative impact onthe economy and the future challenges ahead of generations unborn. This isa social madness that must be systematically address and cure.Conclusively, Nigerian government should decentralize energy source toStatas and the Six Geopolitical Zone rather that sourcing it from NationalGreed or a centralized source of energy. This will allow States to developwithout energy policy encumbrance. We must understand that, worldeconomy is investment and entrepreneurial driver and as such, Nigeria suchfollow suit if the problem associated with energy mix in the country wants tobe resolve. And as a matter of policy urgency, Nigerian government shouldbe seen to develop available alternative energy sources of which we have itsabundance (natural resources) in line with our diversities in values devoid ofsentiment of any sort rather putting the interest of the country and itscitizenry as priority. Darkness is evil and not necessary. But light is mostcompulsory value tool for development. There is no socioeconomic sphereand science and technology today that is bereft of effective and efficientenergy compliance. Hence, my earnest desire is to see Nigeria become acountry been able to shine as light to African continent and the world atlarge.
