It is no longer news that the continent of Africa boasts of rich tapestry of cultures, vast natural resources, and a vibrant, youthful population.
Yet, despite its immense potential, Africa continues to face significant challenges in its development.
It is no longer news that the continent of Africa boasts of rich tapestry of cultures, vast natural resources, and a vibrant, youthful population.
Yet, despite its immense potential, Africa continues to face significant challenges in its development.
While numerous factors contribute to these struggles, the lingering effects of colonialism stand out as a persistent barrier to African progress.
After Effects Of Colonization
In the 15th century, European nations commenced explorations along the African coast, primarily driven by the ambition to establish trade routes and secure access to valuable resources.
The Portuguese soon emerged as one of the initial groups to arrive, setting up trading posts and fortifications along the shoreline. At the outset, trade focused predominantly on gold, ivory, and slaves.
The slave trade escalated significantly in the 16th and 17th centuries, with millions of Africans being forcibly transported to the Americas to labour on plantations.
This era witnessed the emergence of coastal African kingdoms that benefited immensely from the slave trade, resulting in considerable social and economic upheaval across the continent.
By the 19th century, European interest in Africa transitioned towards direct colonization.
This shift was influenced by several factors, including the diminishing slave trade, the demand for raw materials during the Industrial Revolution, and the ambition to expand empires.
The Berlin Conference of 1884 was pivotal in dividing Africa among European nations, disregarding the existing African borders and ethnic groups.
The colonization of Nigeria commenced in the 16th century with the explorations and trade activities of the Portuguese.
By the 19th century, the influence of the British grew, leading to the establishment of the Royal Niger Company and the eventual formation of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914.
The Struggle For Independence
The colonial era in Africa was characterized by the exploitation of natural resources, forced labour, and a disregard for traditional African societies and governance systems.
Many African colonies were structured to serve the economic interests of the colonizing powers, resulting in underdevelopment and dependency.
Resistance against colonial rule was widespread across the continent, with varying degrees of success. The nationalist movements that gained traction after World War II advocated for self-determination and independence.
The end of colonial rule in Africa was influenced by several factors, including the decline of European empires following World War II, the rise of anti-colonial sentiment, and the efforts of African independence movements.
Nigeria achieved independence from Britain in 1960, and by the early 1960s, most African countries had also secured their independence.
Decolonization was often fraught with challenges such as political instability, economic difficulties, and the legacy of colonial divisions.
Economic Exploitation and Underdevelopment
Colonial economies were designed to benefit the colonizers, focusing on extracting raw materials and cash crops.
This left African nations heavily reliant on a narrow range of exports, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices.
Additionally, limited investment in infrastructure and education hampered the development of diversified and sustainable economies.
Education Systems Designed To Serve the Colonial Agenda
Education systems during colonialism were geared towards producing a subservient workforce rather than fostering critical thinking and innovation. African languages and cultures were often suppressed, creating a sense of alienation and undermining the development of a strong national identity.
Colonialism not only had a physical impact on Africa but also inflicted a deep psychological wound. The imposition of European values and the portrayal of Africans as inferior created a sense of dependency and eroded self-confidence. This continues to have a ripple effect, hindering efforts towards self-reliance and development.
Africa Not Cursed, Can Break Free From the Colonial Shackles And Become Prosperous
While the legacy of colonialism is undeniable, it is not a destiny. African nations are increasingly taking ownership of their futures.
By addressing the structural inequalities inherited from colonialism, investing in education and infrastructure, and fostering regional cooperation, Africa can overcome these barriers and achieve sustainable progress.
The journey towards a brighter future requires acknowledging the past. By understanding the lingering effects of colonialism, African nations and the international community can work together to dismantle these barriers and unlock Africa’s true potential.
In an exclusive interview with Naija News correspondence on the after-effects of colonialism in Africa, the richness of the continent and how the white man has tried and is trying so hard to make Africans not love one another, see the greatness in their land, Afrikan Philosopher and Creative Director of Afrikan Fashion and Heritage (AFAH), Adekunle Adeleke, also known as D Baba Afrika, beliefs that the continent will triumph no matter how hard the white try to cause division.
When asked to speak on what Africa has become since the colonialism era ended, Mr Adeleke said: “From time immemorial, Pre-colonial Afrikan people were known to be organized in a Kingdom and Peaceful Society before Colonialism.
“At the end of the Colonial era, the so-called western people damaged the United among the folks by inserting the spirit of hatred among the black Community.
“So many things have changed and fallen apart, to mention a few. Our leadership organization has deteriorated; leaders were known to be the fathers of a nation, but the doctrine of the European world has made the so-called Afrikan leaders become Vampires to their citizens.
“Unfortunately, it is not their fault; the white men use direct and indirect tactics to brainwash the majority of Afrikan Kings and Dignitaries, which make it easy to Re-colonise Africa after Colonialism.”
Do you think Africa is still battling the effects of colonization?
He responded: “Capital Yes, we are facing the effect of Colonization. Let’s start with the education aspect.
“Currently, I am using another language to speak and write because it is considered a ‘First class language’, while Afrikan languages are known as vernacular.
“The majority of students in nursery and primary to secondary schools understand that the indigenous languages of Afrika must not be used to communicate among one another in their learning society. And this has caused more harm than good.
“Besides, the culture and heritage of the European people is the core of the day among the Afrikan. Our way of life is seen as a Devil lifestyle, and anywhere we notice a white skin person moving on the road, all eyes will be on him or her because he or she is superior to us. Inferiority and Low self-esteem are two effects that Colonization has caused in our Afrikan Society.
“This alone can destroy the norms and heritage of Afrika.”
It is common knowledge that Africa is endowed with a series of resources… Unfortunately, the continent is still very much dependent on the white man; importation has become the order of the day. Do you think Africa ought to have been more developed than what the world is seeing today?
Mr Adeleke answered: “Using foreshadowing, Africa should be the most developed Continent in the world, but due to the love of power and selfish interests of mankind, some selected gangs saw Africa as an opportunity land for their growth. And because, in the land, everyone has the mindset of hospitality and togetherness, they always welcome strangers with open hearts and Simplicity, not knowing that not all strangers should be welcomed.
“The Europeans as a whole will never welcome new faces in their environment because they understand the meaning of spying; that is why their society is full of Camera in and out. But in Afrika, we have it in our blood that all men are meant to be equal because we are from the same source.
“Moreover, we focus more on the International Community than Domestic Production, which is another angle the colonizers used for ‘new-colonization’.
“That is the reason some countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger were now doing what all 54 Countries in Africa must have done, by taking all the resources in their country for the benefit of their citizens. And with this view of these so-called New Pan-Afrikan leaders, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel for the New Generation of Afrika.
“From the side of Afrika and its Culture, we can not separate Afrikan people from their culture if Afrikans want development. How can you forget the river that is giving you water? No! Dryness will come.
“Our culture is a way of doing things such as Farming, Homemade production, Togetherness, Integrity, Respect, Handwork, Village Aesthetics, and many Pre-colonial Occupation and Paralinguistics Arts; all these can not be undermined, for instance, look at China, Indonesia and the likes, they are using their Ancient Value to develop their Modern Value. So, Afrikan leaders should think deeply about Ancient Afrika and re-invent it into Modern Afrika in order to allow the young children of Afrika to incorporate Pre-Afrika with Post-Afrika.
“We have been seeing it in Afrikan fashion, which is Afrofuturism, and this will make Africa the most travelled continent.
“When we are saying Tapped and Untapped resources, it means the natural seen and unseen wealth given to Afrika from the Almighty.
“Let me tell you something; they want poverty to circulate in Africa so that the talented and creative youths in Africa will run away from Africa, so that the Europeans will now come as a rescue team, and by making agreements with them on the natural resources to their advantage.
“There are thousands of natural resources that the White people had discovered in Africa, but Afrika has never found any of them. That is why we went to the university to study geology, but they never taught us the secret of mining because they didn’t want us to know it. We can plant Cocoa on our land, but the Europeans will make the machine. Afrikan leaders must stand and Control their territory without any interference, and looking for loans from any nation must be deleted from any Afrikan leaders. Our resources in Africa can be used to feed the rest of the continent; that is why they don’t want Africa to unite.
“In addition, no matter how they divide Afrika from unity, Pharaoh and Goliath will turn to history, and David will triumph by fulfilling the promise of God because the Almighty created man to love one another and to Glory him.
“In conclusion, we can not talk about Pan-Afrikan and remove the colour of Afrika. Green, Yellow and Red. The colour was adopted in Ethiopia because the only country in Africa that refused to be colonised by the Western people was Ethiopia, and the Afrikan Union headquarters was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“The yellow colour symbolizes the bright future of Africa. The Green symbolizes the natural green vegetation and Agricultural abundance.
“The red symbolizes some lost heroes who fought for Afrikan freedom.”
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