A Call to Pause, Reflect, and Reclaim Our Future
Let me begin with a simple truth: I am not against people enjoying themselves. As Africans, we are naturally expressive — dancing, singing, and celebration are deeply rooted in our culture. They’ve always been powerful ways to communicate our emotions and identity.
But there’s an important question we must now ask:
Are we celebrating at the right time — and for the right reasons?
A Time to Rethink
There’s an Igbo proverb that says:
“A man whose house is on fire does not chase rats”
(Onye ulo na-agba oku anaghi acho oke)
When you scroll through social media today, especially in Africa, it seems like everyone has become an entertainer — fathers, mothers, children. Dancing, skits, trends. It’s everywhere.
Again, let me be clear: Dancing is not the problem.
The real concern is what we are choosing to ignore while we dance.
Dancing in the Midst of Decay
Our continent is facing serious challenges:
- A failing educational system
- Inadequate healthcare
- Rampant unemployment
- Widening social inequality
Yet, we sing. We dance. We scroll.
Meanwhile, the political elite — when sick — do not use the hospitals we have. They fly abroad. The masses, on the other hand, are left to suffer. And worse still, we fight each other while the powerful enjoy peace and privilege.
What Should We Do?
Being joyful is not a crime — in fact, we need joy to survive.
But we cannot afford to be distracted.
Now, more than ever, we must:
- Become engaged citizens. Start with your village, your community, your local government.
- Get your voter’s card. And vote for leaders based on integrity, not tribe or religion.
- Run ethical businesses. Don’t overcharge fellow citizens just to make a profit.
- Guide your children. It is not right to encourage underage kids to seek fame through indecent behavior online just because “it pays.”
There’s another Igbo proverb that says:
“An elder cannot be at home and let a goat give birth on its tether”
(Okenye anaghi ano na ulo, ewu amu n’ogbiri)
But today, it seems many elders have tied up the goats — and walked away.
The Bigger Picture
While we turn Africa into an entertainment-driven continent — consuming and rarely producing — other regions are working hard, building, innovating.
Take a moment to compare:
What are kindergartens in countries like China teaching their children?
What are we teaching ours?
Are we raising creators, or just workers and believers waiting for miracles?
A Final Word
We owe our continent more.
Let’s stop waiting for a savior. Let’s begin, each of us, where we are — in our homes, our families, our communities.
Real change doesn’t come all at once. It begins with one step — and that step starts with you.
I remain your friend and brother,
Onuora Obodoechi
Motivational Teacher
Pen it down. 