By 
By Charles Nwabardi
Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba of PLO LUMUMBA FOUNDATION Kenya, has said that there is urgent need for the people of the continent of Africa, to rise up and fight ignorance, disease, poverty as they remain common enemies of the continent.
Prof. Lumumba gave the charge weekend, in his lecture deliver at the 30th anniversary ceremony lecture of the Delta State University, Abraka, titled: “Whither Education in Africa?”
He harped on the need for Africans to value, and respect their culture, use talents, professionals and infrastructures in Africa than seeking for solutions from colonial masters.
In his words; “Its right time, we fight against ignorance, poverty, diseases which are our common enemies. We have been miseducated for too long.”
“So many years after independence and building universities, what has changed? Has Africa attained its heights? Not that we have shortage of professionals. We have to unlearn what we learn.”
“We must be proud of our cultural heritage. We Africans produce all the professionals but when we want anything, we go to Europe and West to get it.”
“Africans produce engineers yet we cannot manufacture our own cars and phones. The mistake we must not make is the mistake of giving up.”
“The University has made contributions. No matter, how rich you’re but you cannot buy back the past years.”
He added, “Education is the only thing that can make us achieve these things. We must take stock what we achieve. Have we produced an army of young men who will change Africa?
Speaking specifically to the management and staff of Delta State University Abraka, Prof. Lumumba said, “You are a droplet of the ocean called Nigeria but be a good droplet.”
“You must remember that every institution is like a human being, and you are no longer on the infant stage but an adult stage where we can fight to rebuild Africa of our dreams.”
“The music for change must remain the same. The change is inter-generational, if we think that change is going to happen in 20 or 30 years then we are joking. Change can take 100years even more. Our duty is to play our parts and ensure we pass over the baton to the next generation,” Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba concluded.
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