University of Tasmania Society of African Students (SAS) Presidential Speech for the African Day Event held at Harvard Room 2, University of Tasmania Sandy Bay Campus on the 3rd of December, 2021 by Dennis Mark Onuigbo
Title: Until He Grows
Beloved friends and brethren, this was to be my opening speech for the African day event held on the 3rd December, 2021. Due to time factor, I could not finish typing this – so, I gave a short opening remark knowing that this important message must still be sent. It might be an advantage that it is coming now. Especially that the message can be shared fully and widely.
Firstly, I thank the Almighty God who made it possible for the event to hold successfully. And I pay my respect to the original owners of the land where we dwell currently. I also acknowledge the efforts of the previous and present SAS executive committee in ensuring the society lives on and connect people since its inception in 2017. Permit me to mention people like Kehinde Obamiro, Moses Kangogo, Vongai Dakwa, Abraham Daniel, Olugbenga Olatunji, Richard Mawulawoe Ahadzie, Ibrahim Jatau, Mimieveshiofuo Aiyede, Mercy Ndalila, Nizam Husen Abdu, Mirabelle Chi Epse Okezie, Chris Miyinzi Mwungu, Bassie Yizengaw Limenih, Gideon Kiprono Kirui, Israel Adeseko, Nana Ama Ayebi-Agyeman, Festus Oby Osegi, Salpha Dut and Janice Wanjau who have contributed in various capacity to the existence of the UTAS SAS. And special thanks to our 2021 guest speaker Dr. Desmond Ayentimi and panellist Amanda McRay, Favour Onu, Florence Nduku, Duncan Spender and Grace Williams (brief speech due to schedule).
I have titled this speech “Until He Grows”. It might an unusual way to prepare a speech but bear with me.
Imagine the son of a king, born few years before the dad left the earth. At 2, his throne will be controlled by those around him. Until he grows, his authority in the kingdom remains untapped or passive. Even though he owns everything, he does not differ from a servant. Only at maturity does he understand his position in the kingdom and gradually takes his rightful place. Without maturity he can still be a tool in the hands of servants or elders.
Maturity is not necessarily about age because even at 50 he can still be a tool excepts he understands two things: 1) knowledge of his self-worth and 2) the principles that govern the kingdom. For example, if one is a Christian, he must understand that he is a "god" that is representing the father "God" on earth. He must also have a certain understanding of the principles that govern his operations on earth. This ushers him to his rightful authority. Other examples abound.
Many Africans await their maturity in the area of knowing their self-worth and understanding the principles that govern their existing on earth. So many fear, beg, rely and are treated in different manner. “Beg, rely, fear etc.” are attributes of servants. We know that attributes can be natural, given or acquired. Which one are you exhibiting? The material you read, consume or watch can shape your attributes. For example, if two men were born on the same day; one was given a book and another a tool for work. The attributes of these two individual will be different.
We are empty until we know and want to know. The things we know can be influenced by access to material (e.g. access to a book or access to a tool or access to both). Thus, one can be given a material to influence their attributes and we know that these attributes bring about the behaviour of an individual. In recent years, a book can help you discover your self-worth and the principles that govern the earth where you live, but a tool alone can be used to break rocks or hurt one’s self due to lack of knowledge on proper usage of the tool. So, do not be surprised when you see a certain behaviour widespread in any location. If it is more negative behaviour, you must understand that only a tool was given to majority and the book to a few. A tool can be a hammer, crane, money, hoe, cutlass, gun, tractor, needles etc. book can be along this line - the Holy books, Culture of Love and Respect in Africa, The Modern Money Theory and other relevant books. Note that some other types of books might be a tool, for example, books along this lines- Advantages of Foreign Loans, How Mugade Stole from Africa, How Boko Haram Kidnapped Chibok Girls, Why Africa Cannot Grow, Why Africans are Looking for Greener Pastures, Why Gadhafi is Evil, Reasons Africans don’t Love themselves, Why You Should Leave Africa Now, Life Expectancy in Africa is 62 for Male, Africans are Selfish and Greedy, Africans are too Religious, therefore they are Lazy etc. He must know the material that has kept him for long and gave him some advantages.
Until he grows, those around him can create the attributes they desire by the kind of material presented to him. It could be a book that make him understand his self-worth and the principles guiding his existence in the kingdom or a tool to make him spend or hurt self - due to lack of understanding of how the tool works. Some types of books can be a dangerous tool that must be avoided.
When he matures, he can then use his authority to the full, break negative influence, love his people and relate goodly with neighbours and the world.
God bless Africa and the rest of the world. Merry Christmas to those celebrating and a prosperous new year to everyone.
Dennis Mark Onuigbo
President UTAS SAS 2021
Completed and shared 25th December, 2021
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