The burden of conscience 1

The time was somewhere around 10:00 pm. As I approached the gate to my compound, the little children scrambled to towards the gate. Each one tried to outrun the other. Their mission is, ‘To be the first to get to the gate and open it.’ The little, sinewy one was the first to get there and started to open the gate. She was soon joined by about three to four others; some grab one wing of the get, the others grab the second. I drive through and park. As I gathered my belongings, they continue fumbling with the gate, even when the gate is now securely closed. As they fumbled, they glanced over their shoulder, furtively; they are reading my body language. Is he going to drop something today or will today’s wage be a mere ‘thank you friends?’

They were the children of indigent parents, living in the neighbourhood. My heart always goes out to them; they arouse critical questions in my conscience.

But they are not alone. As I traverse the various regions of the country, I have noticed a common thread of message running throughout the land. There is palpable fear and despondency, often attributed to the pervading socio-economic situation in country. Skyrocketing prices coupled with diminishing incomes are placing severe burdens on families and children are often severely affected.

Everywhere, I see children and teenagers hawking in the streets when schools are in session; I see malnourished children begging alms all over, not to mention adults. East, West, North and south, the story is the same though the prevalence may differ. I think of these classes of people, and I ask myself, ‘what is their hope? What is their future?’

Conversely, I have looked at toddlers and children, though from average families, and I asked myself, ‘What is the plan of society for these ones? What conditions would they grow up to meet?’ With the rapidly deteriorating economic situation in the land, I feel for them.

What about the rich? Well, it may be fairly well with them today. But it will not always be well with them unless there is a change. Even today, some are unable to go to their home town. With time, no where will be safe for anybody.

The aforementioned issues constitute a moral burden on my conscience. Who will bell the cat? What would be my role? Do I wait for someone else, who may be waiting for someone else, who may equally be waiting for someone else to make the change so that no one takes steps to change the situation? No!

Therefore, I start doing my bit. It is a moral burden for me. Come along, let’s build! It is our collective responsibility to transform Nigeria, and Africa for Africans.

It is possible!

What is Teamup Africa?

What is Teamup Africa?

Hello, welcome. My name is Chinedu Asogwa and I am the pioneer of Teamup Africa. You want to know about Teamup Africa? Please proceed, see and be part of it…

It is a belief in the ability of Africa to rise to greatness

Inbuilt in man is the creative force capable of uncommon transformations. Africa is blessed with abundant human and natural resources. The achievements of Africans in the world space whether historically or at present cannot be discountenanced. We have what it takes to rise up and be equal partners will every other developed continent. We just need to push!

A call for a change of strategy as we seek a solution to our challenges

We have tended to focus on the leadership for solution. Whereas it is in the power of the leadership to change the fortunes of Africa and Africans, there are a couple of limitations. For one thing the question of willingness is crucial. Hear Martin Luther King Jr., ‘Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.’ Yes, it must be demanded! Another point is that the leadership is fed by the followership; the leaders of today were the critics of yesterday and the critics of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. There’s need for a paradigm shift; a value-driven followership of today will make an excellent leadership tomorrow. Let’s re-educate the followership!

A call to personal responsibility

Essentially, we are saying, ‘hold your wing’. In a football match, the side that has all its wings adequately covered would most likely be the winning side. The irony of our present predicament is that the oppressed, complaining, criticizing security guard will dip his hand into the bag of money kept under his watch if he is sure he will not be caught. This has to stop! If we all played by the rule in our small corners, we would get there sooner than soon.

A call to celebration

Yes, celebration! We have a lot to celebrate on a daily basis. However, we always manage to dig up the worst of events. It’s as if we prefer to be perpetually sad and despondent. Here, we want to intentionally celebrate every success, however small, and use it to keep hope alive in every African. Wherever the success happens on the African soil, we will be there to rejoice.

Our way of giving to our society

Must I remain expecting my country to change? Must I continue to watch my continent hemorrhage to death? What can we give to our country? This is my way of giving back to the land of my birth. JFK made a call to Americans decades ago, ‘My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’ Teamup Africa is a collaboration among people asking themselves, ‘What can we do for Africa? What can we do for our nation?’

Wouldn’t you rather Teamup?