“We are the third world not because the sun rises on the West and sets in the East but because we have engaged the reverse gear and we are moving with jet like speed in the wrong direction -we must change this by rolling up our sleeves and working for the growth of our country.” ― Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba

Fourth Industrial Revolution: Piloting The African Youths For Creative/Critical Thinking.

Posted By: Ayoon: March 04, 2021In: OpinionNo Comments

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by Richard Odusanya

***Richard Odusanya With Business Mogul, Aliko Dangote***

Africans must put in more efforts in discovering the talent of their children very early in life and help build a career of it. Martin Luther king Jr. Inspired millions with his talent for argument; his “I have a dream” speech–a rallying cry for equal rights-still resonates more than fifty years after his demise.

Critical thinking is important in life. It helps you to think creatively, –‘outside the box’. It keeps you from becoming narrow minded. Critical thinking enables students to assess their learning styles, strengths and weaknesses, and allows them to take ownership of their education. They make some of the best LEADERS, because they can reach new planes of self-improvement and self-esteem.

Critical thinkers think clearly and rationally, and make logical connection between ideas; they are crucial to exploring and understanding the world we live in. Critical thinkers are focused on constantly upgrading their knowledge, and they engage in independent SELF-LEARNING.

Critical thinking is a process that requires strong cognitive skills as well as positive mindset characteristics. It’s essentially a role model for reinventing oneself. This aspect completely lies in the hands of parents and guidance for our youths in the continent of Africa, to be fully integrated and possess the wherewithal.

Therefore, its touch of decency was distorted when the continent was partitioned for selfish interests. Sorrowfully, it was balkanized for a new form of colonization which compelled us to ignore our local dialects for English, French, Spanish and so on. This led to a situation where simple things become more complex and complicated. African Nations must wake up from their slumber and recognize the fact that we have no-one to blame after sixty years of independence. Creative ideas and critical thinking are the missing link to Africa’s development and growth.

Creative ideas and critical thinking are the very fundamental and key areas which has been neglected and overlooked for no apparent reason. Sorrowfully, Africans excel in various fields of human endeavour when they leave our shores in search of greener pastures in the developed world: America, Europe and elsewhere. So the pertinent question that needs to be answered is, ‘why do we excel only in in the advanced Countries? The answer is not far fetched: poor leadership, bad governance, corruption from top to bottom.

Kelechi Anyadegwu, Ime Archibong, Makinde Adeagbo, Kunbi Tunyoye, Chike Ukaegbo, Tope Awotona, Chinedu Echeruo, Ade Olonoh, Morin Oluwole, and Muoyo Okome — 10 Nigerian-Americans Making Waves in Tech (This Is In Every Field Of Professional Endeavors!

It’s more sickening when you consider the learning environment where our children sit under trees and dilapidated buildings to study in the 21st century, coupled with the issues of kidnapping in the country, such as the: Chibok girls 14-15 April 2014; Dapchi girls Feb 19, 2018; Kankara kidnapping; Kagara and the very recent in Jangebe Talata-marafa in Zamfara State.

Another dimension which comes to mind is that there’s nothing like creative and critical thinking in the curriculum of the Colleges of Education, how then do we expect the Teachers from such colleges to transfer and translate our dreams into reality?

We hereby reiterate that the introduction of character education into our schools curriculum will greatly enhance teaching and also gradually create a new era of disciplined, environmental friendly, and children who are proud of their heritage, ultimately leading to critical/Creative thinking.

Parents must be aware that the ball is in their court and it behoves on us to play the expected roles accordingly. Charity begins at home and it is further entrenched in school for the benefit of all. We must also take a cue from the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Singaporeans who have maintained their identity and are still making waves.

Conclusively, it is pertinent to mention that; in my privileged relationship with a couple of highly effective and accomplished personalities, like our own revered: Bishop David Oyedepo, Otunba Mike Adenuga, Prince Arthur Eze, Dr Deji Adeleke and Aliko Dangote, they have common traits, which is creative and critical thinking.

Our desire to contribute positively to the landscape is borne out of our genuine desire to nip in the bud the negative tendencies in our educational sector.

AFRICANS MUST RISE TO MEET UP WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

***Richard Odusanya is the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI.***

Ayo

I am an Educator and a proponent of Human Rights. There is so much poverty and disease around the world, especially in Africa, the richest continent on planet earth. This situation is brought upon the people of Africa as a result of extreme corruption, nepotism and bad governance by her leaders. I therefore decided to add my voice to making the continent of Africa, and the world at large a better place; thus the birth of MaTaZ ArIsInG.