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Gidi Culture Festival: Take Charge
BellaNaija partners with the organizers of Gidi Culture Festival. So, what exactly is Gidi Culture Festival? It is a movement which serves to provoke insightful thoughts, towards the motivated and empowered African youth. It is the voice for the youth, by the youth. The African society seems to have failed the youth; unemployment ravages its populace, to the extent that the will to matter eludes the average citizen. Our society in its acknowledgement of social strata has barricaded the common man from the luxuries of quality, accessible entertainment in a safe environment. The Gidi Culture Festival bring this to an end and has been noted for its novel ideas in giving back to the community with its Beach Sweeps and Dreams project. This 8-part series hopes to send a meaningful discourse among young people today.
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“Be the Change you want to see in the world” – Ghandi.
The human nature predisposes us all to desire advancement either as individuals or a people. The concept of a better life is ever present within; we continue to want more and more out of life. Again, we all covet societies that are efficient and desire to live in a world where institutions are effective, with systems of governance that are both stable and favourable to all. It isn’t out of place to say that these cravings are fair enough, but life in itself isn’t always fair.
When dwelling Africans travel around the World on holiday or business they think to themselves, why can’t Nigeria or Zimbabwe be like this? Standing at a London underground tube for a moment is all that an African needs to experience in order to ignite these lines of thoughts, and to get lost in the wonder of how the trains show up as scheduled with no African time, amazing right? You think to yourself, this place just works!
Little wonder the average buoyant African will jump at every chance they get in having their offspring born in countries that they judge worthy of their seed’s citizenship, a growing trend indeed. To this point I have this to say, even the West is shaking at the moment, and world economies are in turmoil generally. Although their systems have long been established, it isn’t a perfect world as there are other challenges. If you can find the hungry and homeless on the streets of The West, then it clearly demonstrates that the human race will always know want, denial and the vacuum that a ‘better life’ can feel.
A lot of bad has always been said about Africa until recently, the Middle East has taken over the trophy of hell on earth from us, again thanks to the Errol Barnett(s) of this world who go around Africa in search of the good in us. Still, 80% of our media coverage remains negative. Some opinion makers believe that Africa deserves what it gets on the media, others propound that we are victims of international media.
Whatever your position, the truth remains that African governments have some lengths to go in coming to par with what obtains in the West. However, a refined government alone cannot take on this great mandate. It calls for collective efforts because the promise of a better Africa cannot be given up on. Initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals have made tremendous impacts in some parts; donors continue to invest as well, but sometimes it is as though water is being poured on the rock. We all wonder where donor aid to Africa goes, we simply don’t see the impact.
While public opinion about a government is essential in a society, the bigger question lies for you to answer, ‘what have you done to make Africa better?’ It is imperative that we sincerely look inward for the foundation of the change we want to see in our Africa. We interface everyday with fellow citizens of our continent and beyond.
People should attest to vital traits of excellence that include commitment, integrity, and passion in us. We must exude the right attitude at all times, because Change is not only a product of an improved system of governance and policies, but a collective effort by all, starting from institutions to the smallest unit of the society, the family. Our value system should be superior at all times because we all are decision makers in our little world. It will all add up when we all take calculated steps to be the change that we want to see in our world today.
Have a great weekend guys and take a chance on becoming a better citizen of Africa today.
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For more information visit: www.gidiculturefestival.com | www.facebook.com/
