LACK IN ABUNDANCE

Africans and non-Africans continually praise the abundance of both natural and human resources that abound in its wholesome abundance in this great continent of Africa. It’s amazing how we never cease to appreciate the overflowing talent and all round resources we have everywhere in Africa. We continually say and hear people say Africa is blessed, yet,

                                              

Africans are amongst the most impoverished people in the world. This of course is as a result of our greed. Once, I listened to a sermon by an African preacher, who said that Africans have greed and selfishness flowing through their blood and veins. He continued by saying that we are born, bred and groomed with the constant mindset of insufficiency and dissatisfaction, Africans are driven by a purpose, a purpose of acquiring more than we can use or consume when needed. The idea of excess is adored and praised in our thoughts. And that is why we see people, Africans in particular, who buy and possess things they do not need and would not use at the time, but would want to have the feeling of being in possession, being the owner of that item, which most of the time, if not all the time, is not necessary nor useful to us. That is the reason why we see people who constantly want to show off. That is why we see people who would do anything, go to any extreme, to get and gain wealth in excess, just to be seen as “wealthy”. Yet, a wealthy person is not the one who has it all, but the one that can give it all for the good and happiness of others. Africans are amongst the wealthiest people in the world, yet are also amongst the most impoverished populace in the world. Most African countries are democratic or better still, practice a democratic system of government, yet the rights of the people are not respected nor upheld. We sell our conscience and close or eyes to ills and vices, upholding immorality and corruption, the very thing that we (are meant to) detest. We are hypocrites. We condemn these things and yet practice these same things we preach against. In my country, a lot of people build houses and leave nothing and nobody there. Some build houses and pile up their stolen cash there. Some others build substandard houses and rent them out at exorbitant rates. A lot of people struggle to survive, they struggle to put food on their table, while some others have all they need at their beck and call, and even abuse the privilege they enjoy. In my country, there are so many schools, yet so many children are out of school, out in the streets, struggling the best way they can, either by hook or by crook, to survive and fend for themselves, and sometimes, their families. In my country, there are so many governmental and non-governmental organizations, set up for certain purposes and to address specific issues, yet these issues are what we see on the streets, hear and listen to on radio, watch on television and even experience some of the issues. The rot in our society keeps eating deep as the day pass. We do so much talking (like I’m doing now), and little or no action is taken to right the wrong. In my country, there is so much, yet so little. People live in abundance while others wallow in so much lack and insufficiency, amidst the overflowing abundance. In my country, the rich get richer, while the poor… well, until they become rich or more comfortable than they already are, will remain in their state. Whatever I write here is definitely not a new thing. Yet I must write, which is the best way I can speak, that you’d be reminded always, to create opportunities, avail yourself for greatness and goodness. Be kind; let your kindness move others (to tears) to do good and be good. Render help and love to all and sundry. Make a conscious (and sub-conscious) effort to make your society and the people around