I recently had a chit chat with a friend, of the . Below is an excerpt of the interview/chit-chat with Benin. He shed some light on the development and outlook of the an Africa themed which was launched by the . Please see the interview below and I hope you enjoy it. Could you give us a little introduction to the African Path Village. Some reader may not yet be familiar with the community? Sure Omodudu, we are an online community for people who are interested in making connections with the . We are a place where members can find interesting discussions on culture, business, politics, relationships and the like- and again it all goes back to (re)connecting the members to the African continent. What is your role in this community? A few months ago we at African Path decided that the African Path brand would not be complete without a robust . So we set out on the path to building one and my role in the community began as a co-founder of the community with . But today my role has morphed into being more of a joint facilitator in the ongoing development of this vibrant young community. As a member of this community myself, I must say that I am impressed with the growth that this community as experienced. What will you attribute this growth to? In addition, Does African path village have a niche? Good questions. Well, one of the things that has helped is invites. During the month of February "Village" members collectively invited more than 800 friends, colleagues, and family members only a small number of those that were invited became members during the month of February. But just during the first week of March 1000 invites went out and a fairly larger percentage of the recipients actually became members. We feel that this can be attributed to the ever increasing amount of activity within the community. It is impossible to talk about an African themed community without falling back on discussion about issues in Africa. Are there any current themes/issues that the community seem to forming around? Yes, there are some re-current themes that can be found on the African Path Village. One of them comes from having such a diverse and well heeled group of members. This would be the topic of building, starting, or improving upon various lines of business. There is usually always at least two or three Village members possessing detailed knowledge within specific industries and these conversations often drive group discussions. Then there are discussions related to social issues-especially as they relate to the concept of an African identity. Lately we have also noticed more members who are delving into relationship issues too. It is quite impressive to see Africans taking on the reins and also making moves to get others involved. So let us say I am small business owner, or investor or just an individual interested Africa and business in Africa. What is at African path village for me? *You have a community of fellow Africans to bounce ideas off of. *spreading your businesses message to members who might be in the market for your services *And also increasing your company's overall profile The bottom line is that a business person on the African Path Village increases their opportunity to make new sales. I like to hear the word sales. Okay moving on, where do you see African Path Village in the Near Future? We certainly would agree with you that it is indeed exciting.We see the Village sprouting with "Village Elders" who will act as ambassadors for the brand both on and off line Are there any upcoming features? I have a few feature request of my own, I would like to see a Business In Africa Wiki and a Q and A section about doing business in African countries where the power of the community can be put to use? I must admit I am a sucker for crowdsourcing research. In terms of milestone, our next one is the 1000 member mark and after that will be the 10,000 member mark. There are several members of the community that we are currently brainstorming with as to how to best communicate the message and which are the best tools and so forth. Although, we are still in the early stages of investigating whats out there-I can say that the Wiki is a topic which has come up... Have you run into any challenge(s) in your attempt to develop a successful Africa themed online communities? I would say that two of the toughest challenges seem to be in keeping the attention of the members 24/7 with engaging content and in convincing members of the larger Facebook like networks that there is value in a smaller and more niche oriented network like the African Path Village. I think that where we have been successful in making this point is that on the larger sites members interested in genuine topics affecting Africa must filter through a great deal of distractions before they can actually find the real issues. Whereas with us they don't need to walk very far before finding relevant discussions. I am sure there some readers out there that would have questions for you and your colleagues at the Village. How can the public contact you? Benin: Sure, they may contact me either via benin@africanpath.com or through profile at http://village.africanpath.com/profile/BeninMwangi Do you have any additional information for anyone out there contemplating joining the group? Yes, one more point that I would like to add is that we really would like to encourage more of Africa's bloggers to become acquainted with the site. There are a number of great stories that are springing up in the form of photos and discussions and I am sure that their readers would benefit from this.
I was always for the albeit a few reservations. All my reservations were erased last Friday. I had a very important visitor in my office last Friday. Once he arrived he took over with a commanding tone and an attitude. He gave rather plausible explanations for his actions. At one point he got so animated that he stood on my chair. I left him by himself in the office for a few minutes. When I returned to the office. My computer was out of sleep mode, my browser was open, and he was running a google search for images. All the search terms were correctly spelt and the computer screen had 100% of his attention. All this was a big deal to me because my visitor is only four years old. The most common place criticism for the OLPC has been that there are more pertinent issues affecting children in developing economies so that the acquisition of computer skills should not be a top priority. I think Negroponte says it much better than I can. Why spend so much time and effort on laptops instead of basic human necessities like food, shelter, and peace? Substitute the word "education" for the word "laptop" above and you will not ask again. (via FastCompany) I think it is near sighted to consider the issues and therefore the solution tot he problems plaguing a country like Nigeria as a zero sum game. If not this certainly this. This is not immediately obvious to some of us. We see the wastage in the Nigerian government. The Nigerian government is not short of cash and if at all they are Yardie and crew are definitely not showing it. As cheesy as this may sound, I do not see how spending on laptops will influence spending on health care in Nigeria. In developed economies where accountability is tighter this may be the case, but in an economy that can afford to throw at providing electricity with no results to show for it. Tthere has to be room for experimentation. I did not have a computer as a child and I did pretty well. This is another common fallacy, and my repsonse to this is that I am pretty sure you wont be looking for a job in 2028, would you. Oh forget it, I am not going to hide this, this statment is a direct shot at my good buddy . I am convinced that education can never be considered too expensive, in some cases it can be wasteful, but never too expensive. In the case of the OLPC in a country like Nigeria, the long term effect of the OLPC on a child more than pay for the cost of procuring this gadgets. I will stretch that further by saying that there would be even more gain if these gadgets are assembled on the continents in which it will beused. Should the OLPC ever need an evangelist for Nigeia, I offer my services for free.
No prizes for figuring out, that Nigeria needs change badly. A change of heart, structural change, or an outright revolution. Whatever we choose to call it, one thing is certain, Nigeria needs to follow a path drastically different from that which it is presently on. Below I opine that Nigerians may not get the drastic change which we desperately seek. The change, if any, will be slow and less dramatic. If this is the future that awaits Nigeria shouldn't we start making plans for the long trip? I believe Kenya or Cote D'Ivoire, will not happen in Nigeria. I will even stretch that further by saying, Kenya or Cote D'Ivoire, will not happen even if the politics gets dirtier than it is at the moment. Revolt and revolutions are mostly driven by economic sentiments. The dynamics of the Nigerian economy will not permit the type of disruptions that will lead to an all out revolution (Pretty hard to get the French revolution out of ones head). The biggest stumbling block to a revolution occurring in Nigeria is the emerging middle class (they call themselves the rich). As this class of hardworking individuals emerge and get on the conveyor belt of the Nigerian dream, which will eventually lead to the treadmill of capitalism, they will stifle unrest. This will happen because, unrests and drastic change will no longer be attractive to this subset. Rather, they would advocate for patches, plans and less disruptive change. The rich in Nigeria figured it out when they started handing out small loans, mortgages, and fairly well paying jobs to Nigerians. The Nigerian elite now invest in their home country. Isn't it time to abandon the dreams of a revolutionized Nigeria from which brand new Nationalism will emerge for a well thought out national plans. Time to exchange those berets for the drawing boards. We will make changes for sure, its just not going to be disruptive or done overnight. Why is all of this important? One, it allows for the formation of the proper expectations and also it allows the guy on the street to formulate his/her own plan of action. If we realize that the much awaited time, when all of us will suddenly 'get it' and therefore take to the streets demanding change, isn't really going to come. Then maybe we will be more willing to commit to a slow, sure and steady plan. In response to , who initially asked this question I dare to say, Nigeria will not have bloody revolution, we would not even get a bloodless revolution. We may get a National plan and if we get pretty lucky a leader that can articulate the plan. Also See: Viva La Revolucion by Adeola Aderounmu...
Oh yeah, 'locavore' is now a valid English word, thanks to the. Now that is besides the facts, let me get to my gist. An for a post-consumerist economy: Locally produced goods and services focused on what surrounding communities need and can sustain. That is, sustainable growth while remaining environmentally responsible. The school ( I wonder if you can call them that) claim our present consumption patterns may be convenient but not smart Is this viable? Are the driving forces (responsible greed), strong enough to drive a model like this? This is sort of like the idea of freely investing in without much prodding by the government. Ideas like these have become rather (audio). NGO's and pilot programs urging Africans to adopt models that ride on other sentiments besides selfish interests. Is there any merit to this? Can we afford this? Can we possibly skip the middle ages of economic development and simply join in at the trendy haute level? Others like , think it is just hot air and the status quo will remain for a long time.
...people who think the key to human survival is to cut ourselves off from the world economy and buy and sell only in local markets. This approach has been tried before -- in Europe, after the fall of the Roman Empire. We call this period the Dark Ages. ...Which is not to argue against buying local produce. I do it whenever I can -- it's tastier. It's also more expensive, but thanks to the wealth produced by ever-expanding technology and world trade, I can afford it. After two or three more decades of growth through trade, so (I hope) will millions more, in this country and throughout the world.
**Mentally scrolling*** A discussion at the (comment section), and a video at , raise questions about Africa's informal economies. Is the above economic model relevant to informal markets in Africa. An economic model based on a local model rather than one with a global focus. Where the focus will be on wealth creation rather than an infusion of outside monies. Is this alternative worth considering. Many African economist are locked into Keynes, Smith and Ethier, thinking outside the box in developmental economics is a difficult task, because one is left with no framework to work with (dude you have to come up with the algerbra). A few questions then arise; Is the drive for FDI the only alternative to economic growth? If there are other alternatives, who will come up with a new theory of growth? I am not very familiar with developmental economic as a matter of fact I resented it in school. Isn't silly that this post follows one singing the praise of outsourcing.
This entry is a part of . I missed the first three days, so this is sort of a unified entry to capture what ought to have been written on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. I am writing about my favorite subject, Africa. Here is the Africa I have in my head, the Africa I carry along with me everyday. It is a slight departure from the instructions. Ehav wanted us to put down things that already happened, but I have chosen to write a letter to about future events the way I see it. Thanks. Dear Mum, we are all fine now, it is all good now. The war in Dafur ended and the reconstruction is going on has planned. French NGO's only come to assist the Chadians with Nation building, there is no need to save any 'orphan kid' , because they now have a place of their own. Since the AIDS vaccine was discovered things have turned around for the better. Those in the south now know and feel the meaning of a complete family. Cote- D'Ivoire is alright they made it through the woods. Business is back and cocoa is selling like hot cake. The expatriates came back and the Mapouka night clubs are back open. It is amazing how much transformation can happen within such a short period. As for the Nigerians, it hard to believe, but they now put their money to good use. Their institutions are flourishing and it hard to believe that they once suffered from a dearth of infrastructure. Mama things done changed. It really has. The Sudanese, a funny bunch, there is no divisiveness amongst the Arabs and the Blacks anymore, as a matter of fact I attended a mixed wedding on a boat at the banks of the Nile the other day. Oh yes the Americans are still there dancing to country music at the international club, but now the Sudanese are allowed in, sans bomb detectors at the entrance. Isn't that wonderful ma. Addis is still cold at night, and what a set of fun people. Yes, they are still about their 13 months of sunshine. The Jamaicans still roam freely in Addis. To top it all up, the Moroccan and the Tunisians now call those from Eastern and Western Africa brothers, no more deportation. Once a citizen of Africa, we now roam freely. Mama things done changed, it really has. Peace.
Going through all the TED talk videos can be pretty time consuming, I often find a few to be more relevant than others. The video above is one of those. Please be patient, it picks up midway through the talk. If I were a teacher at a Nigerian college my first two classes will be spent on talks like these. That is PHCN permitting.
Thousands of African migrants defy the boats, planes standing guard off the coast of Africa. A barricade put up by the European Union Border Control Agency which patrol the shores of Senegal and Mauritania so as to deter potential immigrant from seeking the golden fleece. Every time an entreport is guarded, the migrants come with a more treacherous and longer route to get into the port towns of Ceuta and Milla. The once 3 meter fence now 6 meters have failed to deter the migrants. Upon completing this dangerous journey many migrants who often find themselves homeless, sleeping in the streets of Europe express relief. Because for them it does not matter what fate lay ahead of them. The only thing that that they have made it off the coast of the dark continent.
The new arrivals are obvious. Exhaustion written on their faces, many of them are still not up for speaking even after days in the holding center. Several sit motionless, faces propped up by their hands, on a worn-out sofa. Quiet sighs come from the wounded. They stare into empty space. In reality, though, the problem is not the height of the fence, but the failure to address the root causes of immigration.
via . This is Africa's story a people in desperate need of a solution. An enterprising people held down by socio-economic conditions on the continent who would not take this situation anymore. In 2006, over 6000 bodies of African migrants were picked up trying to make it across the Mediterranean to the Canaries Island. This figure is up by 600% from 2005. Even after the reinforcement of the razor sharp fence, set up to keep the would be assyllum seekers. " an Ivorien says "I want to work in Europe and send money back home," What makes a man leave his home, a land overflowing with natural resources, perfect weather and the distinctively cheerful rhythm of the African continent, and then move to the frigid clime where hopes of survival rest on the number of knock-off sunglasses he is able to hawk on the streets of Europe. What makes a man make these choices? Poverty in Africa do not make the headline of the evening news anymore. However the realities of poverty is stark and hope is grim in some parts of Africa. The immigrants feels the need to leave whatever memories they have of their dear homeland and move to another continent where there is a . I picked up blogging late 2005 when I saw pictures of African migrants left in the Sahara desert to die. For many they speak to, there's a palpable sadness -- even regret -- over the decision to come to Europe. The reality rarely lives up to the dream, and the sacrifices they made are rarely offset by their new life.
The new arrivals are obvious. Exhaustion written on their faces, many of them are still not up for speaking even after days in the holding center. Several sit motionless, faces propped up by their hands, on a worn-out sofa. Quiet sighs come from the wounded. They stare into empty space. In reality, though, the problem is not the height of the fence, but the failure to address the root causes of immigration.
via . Having an Afro-centered outlook does not exclude talking about the ills that our countries face. To me speaking out for change is the most patriotic act you can do today. Making change occur is the most patriotic thing you can do for Africa in the long run. An of this problem from the Oxford University.
Images via BBC. : A NY Times entry on this issue. Speak up, discuss immigration issues. You may be surprised at the number of Europeans and/or Americans who aren't aware of the atrocities committed by their home countries. Blog about this issues if you are a blogger. Send me an email if you aren't a blogger and would like to discuss this issues. In the short run we as Africans reduce the depth of the crisis, while we put our houses in order. Update...
In the report, "Unwelcome Responsibilities: Spain's Failure to Protect the Rights of Unaccompanied Migrant Children in the Canary Islands", Human Rights Watch says the children - mostly boys from Senegal and Morocco - are detained indefinitely in the migrant centers. Children held at four centers told Human Rights Watch they had seen staff violently abusing other children on several occasions. They also said staff ignored violence between detainees.
Update... This happened recently; At least 47 African migrants died of hunger and thirst after their boats drifted into Mauritanian waters.
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Thousands of African migrants defy the boats, planes standing guard off the coast of Africa. A barricade put up by the European Union Border Control Agency which patrol the shores of Senegal and Mauritania so as to deter potential immigrant from seeking the golden fleece. 
