Paradox Of Intelligence Valuing In Africa 

As Africans, we have been conditioned to believe that intelligence and ability are measured by our colour of academic certificate or our proficiency in foreign languages, particularly those of our former colonizers. However, this mindset is a relic of colonialism and mental slavery. It is time for us to redefine our values and celebrate our own unique strengths and abilities that is not measured by our proficiency in colonial languages.

For too long, we have judged ourselves and our leaders by Eurocentric standards. We have prioritized fluency in English, French, or Portuguese over our own indigenous languages and cultures. This has led to a brain drain, where our brightest minds are trivialized and forced to abandon their inherent abilities and bow to the domination (brain-washing) of “western” education and validation.

Many Africans are victims of the deleterious colonial settings that promote rejection, suppression, segregation and injustices on the count of one’s fluency in colonial languages. This myopic point of view in Africa has silenced many local ideas that would have catapulted African societies to enviable positions in the global stage. African solutions for African problems can only be sufficiently harvested and accurately applied by adopting all inclusive brain storming method irrespective of one’s color of academic certificate or his/her fluency in colonial languages.

Our indigenous languages and cultures hold the key to our liberation and development for no imitation can beat the original. They are the repositories of our history, our values, and our unique perspectives on the world.

By promoting and celebrating our languages and cultures, we can preserve our heritage, protect our languages, customs, and traditions from extinction. We must promote and celebrate our rich cultural diversity and the contributions of African cultures to the world, which in turn, will empower our youth and give them a sense of pride and identity. It will make them to take ownership of their cultural heritage.

It is time for us to redefine what it means to be intelligent and able. We must recognize and celebrate our own unique strengths and abilities, rather than measuring ourselves by Eurocentric standards. This includes cultural competence, problem-solving skills as we promote African-led initiatives by recognizing the capacity of our leaders to manage public offices that bring about visible and profitable developments.

The language of liberation is not rooted in that of our oppressors, but of empowerment, development, accountability and justice. By celebrating our indigenous languages and cultures, we can redefine our values and promote a more inclusive and equitable society. It is time for us to take pride in our African heritage and recognize our own unique strengths and abilities that is not measured by our colonial settings or validations.

Please underline this: When the oppressed sees his oppressor as his mentor, his freedom will become a thing of never.

– Ambassador Ezewele Cyril Abionanojie is the author of the book ‘The Enemy Called Corruption’, an award winner as Best Columnist of the year 2020, Giant in Security Support, Statesmanship Integrity & Productivity Award Among others. He is the President of Peace Ambassador Global.