“…The Africa we see. Without the eyes, the window to the soul, we see nothing. Or we don’t see correctly.
I’ve been seeing, again another biblical example, the image of the biblical Samson, as the strong black African man. Intimidates and makes uncomfortable, everyone that sees him. But they cannot deny his strength and greatness; and want to subjugate him. Our eyes have long been taken out, and we’ve been dictated what and how we see. All the while keeping Africa under, for exploitation, amusement, & entertainment.
But, no more. It is time to start over. We don’t necessarily have to pull the house down as Samson did in life-ending-anger, but to get our eye sight correct, as we have now taken over the narrative and direction of the conversation. And as we say in Warri, ‘we dey shine our eyes’.
An excerpt from His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III’s speech at The King’s Banquet, organized as a closing event to the Elevate Africa convening.
Watch the full speech from His Majesty’s ‘Olu of Warri Kingdom’ below.