Architects of the Future

By Adeyemi Adetoyinbo

Africa is the focus of a lot of discussions these days. We can't stop talking about great Africans, home and abroad doing the unimaginable, and breaking boundaries. Just like women all over the world pushing the front for equality, and stepping up to the oppression of patriarchy, one that has eaten deep into our human cores. It is a good thing, seeing people and ideologies rise and win no matter how far the war has come. However, the story behind every fight against all oppressions is told in this book: how each person can attain greatness and how this individual greatness can further make Africa a powerful continent with lots of created opportunities for future generations. We have a lot of things to be grateful for, but a lot of things still need to change and be done. It is us, the great ones who are going to shape Africa into what we desire for our future generations.

This book is going to change a lot of things about you. We are the architects of the future, because we've decided to stop being the victims of it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adeyemi Adetoyinbo
• Release date: Apr 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9789785879711

Book preview

Dedication

To actual heroes who were victims at Lekki Massacre on 20th October, 2020. To Africans who want to thrive and dominate the future. To YOU.

Appreciation

Special Thank you to great women in my life. Starting from my Late Mom, Mrs Adetoyinbo Monisola, for loving and raising me. Special thanks to my godmother, Mrs Jiire Kola-Kuforiji - Managing Director, TV Department, AIT. Ichabor Bridget (who actually made me write this book) and Gbadamosi Deborah for her love, sweetness, understanding, and patience that was needed in the course of finishing this book-I wouldn’t have survived without these. To Deborah Samson, my Ghanaian friend who kept me on my toes. Thanks to my multilingual and widely travelled friend, Rafiu Tosin (@tomisin_oj) and to Adeola Adefuye – my tech muse.

Special thanks to Gr8jobsng, Nelson Reids, Aristrat, Estol Africa, CuteKimani, Daar Communications for exposing me into the world of ideas and creativity. Special love to the entire Nelson Reids team for all the big projects we did together.

Special thanks to Great men in my life; a heartfelt thank you to my number one fan and super dad, Engr. Adegbenga Adetoyinbo. I love you so much, Dad. Thanks to Ikechukwu Maduka, CEO and Founder, Nelson Reids Marketing Agency.

The Most Gracious Thank You to the University of Lagos and the Architects in the system that gave me the right environment full of opportunities, comfort and splendour—my able University of First Choice and Nation’s Pride.

Special THANKS to my splendid lecturers who taught me in the prestigious Department of Philosophy, Department of Creative Arts and the Department of History and Strategic Studies. Special thank you to Dr Jimoh Ganiyu of Creative Arts for letting me into the history of African history and Arts, Dr Fatai Asodun for bringing out the confidence in me and Dr Peter Osimiri—my final year project supervisor—for bringing out the creativity in me. Upon your shoulders I stand.

Special thanks to shakers in the African music and entertainment industry for their ingenuity and brilliance. You guys are a whole bunch of intelligent folks and you inspire me so much.

Special thanks to great men I’ve not been able to meet in person (and may never meet, lol), who have been a source of motivation to me; Tony Elumelu, Strive Masiyiwa, Fred Swaniker, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Yemi Osibanjo, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Olusegun Obasanjo, Robert T. Kiyosaki (My Rich Dad), Dan Lok, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

Thank You, Orireyemi Eniola and Omolale Oluwatosin — perfect examples of sidewalks that The Weeknd ft Kendrick Lamar sang about.

Special thanks to my wonderful siblings. I love you all so much. Special thanks to my most important friends, Olowu Ife, Ali Mufutau Segun, Ogbehinde Ebenezer, Philip Gold, and Olaniyan Ajibola my fellow creative. You guys are one hell of a support system, and I wish everyone would have excellent colleagues like you as friends.

Special thanks to Busari Olawale, Adejumobi Oladimeji (Vhasse Luxury), Paul Olubowale Johnson– you guys challenge me too much. Special thanks to Oluebube Udo – I am going to work with you one of these days because you’re so intelligent and versed.

And finally, SPECIAL THANKS to awesome people like YOU—my main inspiration for writing this book. I love you. You are great!

Preface

In pretence, things are right because comparing reality to appearance in such a moment is the most unlikely thing to do. Until certain circumstances warrant for a check into the pretence that we throw ourselves in, and reality unfolds, we never know where we stand or who our greatest enemy is.

This book is written for Africans and the great future that lies ahead of us—one that I believe in.

Africa has been through different phases: Slave Trade, Colonisation, Independence, and Neo-colonialism/Dependence. Although, the internet, technology, access to educational materials to better equip ourselves, and globalisation is setting us up for greatness in the nearest future, the bigger question lies in the pages of these books—The How!

In greatness is strife, and the result of strife is sometimes simplicity. It has been the same way through ages. Order has been restored when the masses revolt, or when they come across a common knowledge and information, and sometimes, order is automatically restored because people adjust, leaders and followers alike. Whether we react or not, whether order is restored automatically—which rarely happens—or not, decisions shape our future, and these decisions are made by people and factors, some of which this book discusses at length.

In the past, it used to be slavery and physical harm of Africans; today, it is a whole new level of slavery we have to face, and our enemy is a known one.

I don’t want to talk about Neo-colonialism, which my university lecturers drummed a lot into my thick skulls because I know better now. But I am not going to deny the fact that it existed, which can be attributed greatly to us—we allowed it. How do we develop or create great products with equal or better value? How do we create standard products? How do we compete with international brands and strive? How do we build solutions in a way that the world will appreciate them? It is simple in writing, but difficult to achieve and maintain because of the numerous factors surrounding entry to the various industries and even our financial system. Secrets that may not be known to a lot of us because possession of them distinguishes the successful from the failures, leaders from their followers, wealthy—minority and poor—majority.

In the past, it used to be racism and subordination of the African people by the Western world in our land and there was little we could do about that for a long time. Today, some part of the continent is still subordinated because people are afraid to unite, connect, speak and fight those who suppress them.

This book is sectioned into three: The Past, The Present, and The Future. I feel a great need to write on the past because the Past or History of a people or a person has always had a direct connection with the Present. There’s a lot of conspiracy theories we have all been familiar with, which has been long overdue for correction. I will try to let us examine how we got here with the Past, and then show us recent flaws, innovations, successes, and general stance with the Present. The Future is what I see, within which are some guiding principles that will make Africa feature in that future. The Future is a guiding principle that prepares us as problem solvers who will create a better and tasteful Africa for future generation.

The work of an architect is to draw a plan. This book itself is a plan that understands the differences in people, the flexibility of organisations and systems, people’s interests, and their individual missions in life. So, you are advised to carve a better shape that suits you, so long it lands you and Africa somewhere safe and conducive. My hope is to convert more people into becoming architects because that is the only way we can speed up development—moving and building in one accord and with great drive.

DISCLAIMER

Although the book reflects on politics and government, no political agenda is intended by the author. The author does not discriminate or support any political regime, party or individual. The writer is not a racist. He is a liberal who appreciate standard works, people, innovation and systems.

The book also mentions God and Spirit. It is not a religious book and has no religious agenda. The author believes in the freedom of religion which is clearly reflected in the book. You have the freedom to believe and not believe in God. No discrimination against all men of God, just facts about a few. You also have the freedom to skip parts that may seem offensive to your person.

The Past

Instead of learning from the past, they reject it.

- Leon Trotsky (1938)

Seven dots,

Seven beads,

Seven cowries,

Seven nuts,

Seven lives that’s what I’ve got,

I’m an African…

Oversea,

Overland,

Over mountains in the wild,

I’ll be brave and I’ll be strong,

I’m an African…

Seven Lives – Beautiful Nubia

Introduction

The enemies of every generation always act alike, with the same face, spirit and energy. Every new generation borne out of struggle fight the same cause—oppression of the old against the new, old ideologies against newer progressive ones, old government oppressing and hindering change from happening, and a lot more.

I don’t intend to bore you with the past, as there are lots of books that centre on Africa’s history. So, I’ve reduced this section to just three different chapters with concise insights into what you need to know.

This section focuses on the past of Africa, a common shore. As at November 2020, several facts were common knowledge; for instance, it was common knowledge that most African countries are developing. It was common knowledge that we used to be slaves, who were manipulated and abused. These were and still are common knowledge. What do you think is not common knowledge? Is it the fact that we have leadership and followership problems? Or that we’re plagued with corruption and mismanagement? I think these also are common knowledge.

Well, some things are not common knowledge—they are yet to come to the realisation of many. And that’s the purpose of this part—to educate.

Enjoy!

C h a p t e r 1

Architects of Slavery, Colonisation and Imperialism

"All of Africa is irrevocably engaged in a merciless struggle against colonialism and imperialism. We wish to bid farewell to the rule of slavery and bastardisation that has so severely wronged us."

Patrick Lumumba

Right from the start of time, three forces have continued to be the tools which we use to shape the future. These three forces work together and sometimes, they shape our future individually.

For the sake of formalities and not to sound spiritual, let us drop the term forces and use systems instead. These systems that work together to shape our future include: Trade/Business, Governance, and the Art of Creation, all of which cut across different disciplines including science, art and technology.

Like development, there are stages, levels, to these systems.

The story of Africa’s underdevelopment by the western world, as told by several sources, is not the same. There are those who believe that Africa was just fine and would have carried on along if the Western world had not meddled with her growth. There are also those who see Africa’s plight worsen even after independence, as a result of Africa’s real worth being jeopardised in the global space by her own leaders. Some of these thinkers believe that Africa would have done better if they had pushed for the right things, bargained and negotiated for the right things instead of letting themselves to be swayed and intimidated, torn within themselves by tribalism, jealousy and emotions, thereby perpetrating greater harm. Both stories have Africa as victims. However, while one was further fuelling Africa’s insecurity, the other was being objective.

There’s yet a third class of thinkers who believe that Africa has been rotten before, and still is even after western invasion, but can be better if we had good leadership.

The architects of Slavery, Colonization and Imperialism is not just the Western world, there were times when we were architects of our own misfortune.

Majority of our problems arose from Africans who knew not their real worth, such that by the time we became awakened, we did not know what to do with our inherent wealth since we had no real knowledge about its use.

In a faulty society, the opportunity system includes an abundance and a people who do not see this abundance and neither have the ability to reap from and multiply it. If, by any chance, the abundance is discovered especially by the outside world, people loot it out, overuse and exploit it.

In the corporate world, competitors venture into a business because they see an opportunity to grow. The new industry becomes mature and, eventually, may become saturated because the opportunity is being utilised by a lot of people. This can be likened to a garden of apple, which has a lot of people wanting to benefit from its fruits. Once the amount of people wanting apple has surpassed the stipulated estimate of apple in the garden, then there’s saturation.

A truly functioning society lives for the future.

Our major problem was the inability to bargain. We were in no position to bargain for certain things. Aside the cluelessness and display of emotions by some leaders in pre-colonial and colonial Africa, our mentality and western intimidation didn’t give us that negotiation power.

We feel exploited because we didn’t get the real value for our resources; we got either no value or cheap value. We feel exploited because we couldn’t ask for more; we wouldn’t get it anyway because we were termed lower humans. We feel exploited because our people worked as slaves in foreign lands where they had no say, our raw materials taken for cheap prices and sold back to us in exorbitant prices.

What these all stem out from is poor negotiation.

And it would remain until we begin to position Africa rightly. China and America cannot be in the same decision-making room and China short changed.

Also elaborated on in this book is the aspect of negotiation and value, as stated in The Future.

Some renowned scholars in African History believe that Africa is a re-creation, a remodelling by Western powers. In fact, this has become a general stance of the global community. That yes, Africa is what it is because of Colonial powers. What the majority of the global community do not want to know is the motivation behind this subordination of Africa. But on the contrary, the knowledge of this will help us majorly achieve two things: curb racism and, at the same time, give Africans the reassurance that they can build upon and achieve great feats.

Africa was a fertile land that inhabited people who lived simple lives. African scholars would not agree with this and quite a majority of Africans may disagree but let us be factual. African people at the time—i.e., during the pre-colonial era—were actually at the lowest stage of development. There were some parts of Africa, as we do have now, like Egypt that recorded some level of development at a time in medicine, art and culture but the same cannot be said concerning other parts of Africa. What we know now as Africa used to be a group of nations—a group of people sharing similar cultures, like the Akan people of Ghana today, the Igbo people of Nigeria, the Somalis, the Itsekiris, the Udomas, the Fons, the Kalaharis. There was no Nigeria, no Ghana, no Equatorial Guinea, no Congo, and no Senegal. These countries were created subsequently as a product of western creativity for the sake of world order and the formation of a global community, which we have today. Perhaps, the internet or globalisation would not be a success as it is now without these creations.

Walter W. Rostow’s analysis of economic development positioned Africa at a traditional stage of development. This stage is characterised by social life and culture that live the simplest of life.

There was no strife, no elaborate need or desire, no exploitation. The different nations had their way of understanding each another. The different African clans had love, genuine respect, and a feeling of belonging among them. In fact, some African books, like How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, written by Walter Rodney, claimed that individuals could visit a total stranger and feel at home with such person just because they belong to the same clan. (A fact that still remains today; a Yoruba man will treat fellow Yoruba man well because they belong to the same clan.) During those days, dating back to the time when there was no formal education, Christianity or Islam, long before Feudal and industrial age in Europe, slavery, exploitation, civilisation, and colonisation, Africa was really home.

Up until 2020, a majority of us don’t want to belong here.

Africa was really home, but that could be attributed to the fact that Africans were unaware of other realities and places more grandiose. Now we do. And we want to experience that lifestyle.

In the development of humans, every race started as primitive: the beginning of every civilisation is similar in every part of the world.

THE SLAVE TRADE

Slavery is the nucleus of Africa’s lifelong problems; racism, colonialism, neo-colonialism (post-colonial leaders excuse), and imperialism are different manifestations of slavery. It has become so engraved in us that the idea of freedom is idealistic and unachievable; the people who promise us freedom end up being the very people who enslave us.

Racial architects of slavery.

I agree with Dr Eric Williams, who wrote in Capitalism and Slavery, that Slavery was not born of racism: rather, racism was the consequence of slavery.

At the wake of a new civilisation, around the 15th century, we were victims of the transatlantic slave trade because of the need in Europe for physical labour. Racial architects of slavery were European explorers or voyagers, anthropologists, scholars, missionaries, farmers, and slave traders who worked collectively to abduct men from Africa.

The work of the explorers was to travel and discover new lands. Their motivation was the need to provide solutions to their growing domestic problems and the opportunity attached to that