ABOUT YOU AS A FUTURES THINKER / PRACTITIONER

You identify yourself as an African futures thinker or practitioner. How would you describe to the woman or man on the street what it is that you do in this regard?

As a Pan-Africanist and as a Nigerian, I would like Africa to have a brighter future economically, socially and political. All these can be realized through good leadership and government, which have been an Achilles Heel for the continent. The future and well-being of African children and its grand-children depend precariously on how well the policy makers manage the abundant human and natural resources at their disposal. I will contribute my quota to make the continent a livable place with a brighter future.

How many years have you worked as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

I have been an Africanist since my high school and university years. I am more of a pragmatic Pan-Africanist than a thinker, because action speaks louder than words.

In which countries or places have you had working experience as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

Nigeria, USA, Mumbia (India) and the United Nations (Geneva)

In what languages have you undertaken futures / foresight related work or research?

English

What is it that motivates you to work or participate in the foresight / future studies / related field

My burning desire is to see that Africa is transformed into an economically viable and politically and socially a stable continent. This dream can be achieved if the leaders and followers will work hard together to claim the future. Nothing good comes easy!

What goal/s would you most like to reach with your work as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

I would like to see a united Africa emerging as an economic and political giant to free itself from the claws of the dominant western world. I will make a concerted effort to significantly make contribution to strengthen the educational institutions and infrastructure, which will enable Africa to have control over its destiny.

Who or what most influenced your thinking as a futures thinker / practitioner, and how?

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria and Kwame Nkruma of Ghana were my mentors when I was in high (secondary) school. As I started to read widely in my university years and write in my adult working life I have gradually developed a personal guiding principle. My academic teaching career has taken me through issues in Information Technology, Political Economy, Technical and Vocational Education and Skills Training and Youth Unemployment and National Development and Planning. However, it has become obvious to me that none of these are achievable without giving special attention to education and character development of the youths.

What is your main disciplinary background? (i.e. your primary training / qualification)

I started with Political Science and went into Applied Economics (labor and Industrial Relations) and Educational Leadership and Management.

How do other people describe you and how do you describe yourself?

Others describe me as… an educationist with many hats

I describe myself as… as a pragmatic African …a problem-solver.

YOUR PERSPECTIVE

What is one of your favourite quotes about the future?

• “The emerging future is exciting. Do not allow those who do not like you to control your destiny.” - Victor E. Dike
• “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” - George Santayana
• “The specific problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
• "To cope with a changing world, any entity must develop the capability of shifting and changing…of developing new skills and attitudes: in short, the capability of learning." - A. De Gues, 1997
• “Africans must invest in Africa; only Africans can develop Africa.” - Victor E. Dike

How would you describe the state of African futures thinking right now?

The leaders of Africa loot the resources at their disposal and invest them overseas. I think that such mentality is postponing the development of the continent, and thus, pauperizing the people. The future and progress of Africa depends upon what we Africans, - both the leaders and followers - do today. Empty rhetoric will not develop Africa; positive actions will!

What is, in your opinion, the main barrier to uptake of futures knowledge by African institutions and organisations?

Lack of investment in education and institutional infrastructure, as well as corruption are the main barrier to knowledge and the development of Africa. You cannot be rich when you are unemployed; or open new doors with closed mind.

If you were to give advice to someone who wants a career in African foresight / future studies, what would you say to him or her?

Continue to learn everything you can about Africa, share your knowledge with others and practice progressive African culture and tradition and pass them on to the next generation. The future of Africa is under our control; to prosper and grow we must empower the youths!

What are your recommended readings for every African futures thinker / practitioner?

• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe;
• The Man Died by Wole Soyinka;
• 1984 by George Orwell;
• Ngugi wa Thiong’o - Decolonizing the Mind; among other
• Books that are for the unity, stability, and progress of Africa.

What are your recommendations for other favourite futures resources: websites, newsfeeds, mailing lists, associations, etc.?

• http://www.afdb.org/en
• http://www.worldbank.org
• http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home.html
• http://www.ajstid.com
• http://www.csjhd.org
• http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/4/1/2158244014523792.full-text.pdf+html
• http://idsn.org/fileadmin/user_folder/pdf/Old_files/africa/pdf/nigeria.pdf
• http://www.ajstid.com/Vol%204%20No%202%20-%20Abstracts.pdf
• http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/20421338.2014.902576#.U7xHaPldWmE

Africa must unite!

Africa must unite and work for regional integration as defined in 1991by the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Africa will be stronger economically, socially and politically if it is united. Africa should not depend on any external help whose terms are based on its own agenda.