Worried by the loss of lives of Africans occasioned by migration across the Mediterranean in their attempt to find a better life in Europe, Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has called on the continent’s leaders to evolve a more sustainable strategy to stem the ugly trend.
Ayade who expressed his displeasure on why young men and women in their prime should be allowed to embark on such hazardous, unsuccessful and most times unproductive journeys, said it was time for African leaders to come together and be more united in ensuring that the future of the continent, which he noted lies in the hands of the young ones was protected and secured.
Speaking while unveiling the theme for the 2017 edition of the Carnival Calabar, “Migration”, at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, Governor Ayade queried: “What is the challenge of Africa that young men take the risk of their lives to cross over to Europe, America and Middle East, all in search of an alternative, when Africa has got everything she desires?”
The governor further lamented that “Africans continue to endanger their lives travelling across the globe on foot from Africa via Libya through the Mediterranean to find greener pastures in the western world and in spite of all of the effort, Africans die in their numbers, yet it has not scared anybody.
“It has therefore become apparent that we raise critical issues for young Africans who always think that the only way to have prosperity is to go to the western world, with the theme of Migration. This has become an issue of great concern to the entire world.”
According to Ayade, “I believe, as a young people in government, we have the responsibility to reconstruct the story of Africa to a new direction and sense of self esteem. The time has come when emphasis must shift toward that direction.”
Ayade reasoned that “there is a leadership gap and failure on the part of those of us whom God has put in positions of authority as we watch the continuous decimation of Africans who migrate in painful circumstances in search of alternative means of livelihood.”
He said “as leaders in government and in position of authority, we hold that sacred responsibility to at least effect a change in the cause of things. Africans are so blessed but again, Africans are limited by the perception that the world has placed on us because you are not who you are but what people think you are. Therefore public opinion about you matters.”
While encouraging leaders to see the need to integrate the youth into position of responsibilities in their domain, Ayade said Africa can only change when young people who have the intellect, capacity and exposure come to participate in governance and add value.
He noted that no amount of fiscal materialism that will bring value to your life because in the fullness of time, death awaits you and that wealth you amassed on earth will come to nothing, vanity upon vanity. The only thing you will remember in life will be the value you added to people.
“We can continue to romanticize ourselves with philosophy and theories that seem to presuppose that we have done so well with perhaps, the construction of the superhighway, the deep seaport, the garment factory.”
According to the governor, “you will be missing the point because the real truth is that the only way you can measure the progress in authority is by how much you have taken care of your people.”
He promised to put up the best show this year while encouraging Nigerians and indeed African travellers to help promote the event by participating this year.
