The Nigeria’s pioneers Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineer, Mr Christopher Mbanefo, has called for a united Africa that would focusing on emerging technologies to transform region's continent.
Mbanefo who spoke recently at the 13th Convocation Lecture of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu also said that Africa should focus on peace, health, education and water, leading to planetary balance.
The lecture was titled "One Sky: The Rise of a United Africa” with Caption: "Why the future belongs to a generation that imagines boldly and acts together"
He emphasised the need for governance inspired by indigenous African councils, collaborative, decentralised,
transparent as well as local empowerment with 80 per cent of resources spent where they were generated.
Mbanefo who is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer, OXI-ZEN, called for new regional alliances by strengthening peace in places once scarred by war, AFRO currency and mineral-backed, replacing foreign fiat currencies in Africa.
"Africa today is divided into 54 states and that was not done for our benefit but the outcome of the conference of 1884 in Berlin.
"And our very document makes clear
that the greatest fear of the colonial power was an awakening of an African consciousness.
"Therefore we must form a united Africa, grounded in its young population, mineral wealth, natural resources and
imagine a new game backed financial instruments, new pathways for capital that are debt-free and rooted in
value, not charity," Mbanefo said.
Highlighting vast opportunities in Africa, especially with the continent’s abundant natural resources, Mbanefo encouraged students to think boldly, innovate, and prepare to lead a united Africa.
According to him, growth depends on the obstacles one is willing to confront and navigate.
He reminded students that the world had shifted its focus from professions to skills, driven by rapidly emerging technologies,adding that the future would reward those who anticipate change and position themselves with the right competences.
"Life will shake you, surprise you, challenge you, and at times break you. We rise highest not when we fly alone, but when we fly together.
"But remember: every storm ends, every night becomes day, every descent leads to a new horizon.Your engines are humming;You stand at the edge of the runway; you carry Africa within you, and you carry the world within you.
"And so, as you prepare for take-off, carry this truth: You are citizens of a world that is interconnected, multicultural, interdependent. Together, you can be the generation that anticipates change, on" he advised.
The expert noted that United Nations had been replaced by a new organisation called United Humanities, stressing that the General Assembly was no longer based on nations,
but rather on the key pillars such as
peace, health, education, water, and energy as well as planetary balance, quality of all life.
According to him, rather than focusing on what separates and differentiates us,
the essence is to strengthen and protect that which unites us.