ONYINYE'S MIRROR ON LIFE

Onyinye OyedeleTuesday, November 27, 2007
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Ontario, Canada

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“AFRICAN PEARLS”

iving without stable power supply, bad roads, abject poverty, poor healthcare facilities, incessant corruption, depreciating educational standards, and joblessness is indeed a tough environment to live in. We have adapted to our hardships for so long that unconsciously our problems have become "normal". However, despite our inadequacies, there is something unique about the African people. There is a strong passion to survive and achieve greatness wherever we find ourselves. We have a survival attitude that keeps moving us forward. Beyond our hardships, we can say that we are "African Pearls". We are beautiful, well cultured, vibrant and have a rare array of natural resources. The world knows our value is very high so we take pride in ourselves.


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Pearls are precious ornaments of beauty. It adorns the neck, fingers or ears of any woman. It is a more visible kind of jewellery because of its size. These stunning gemstones are not cheap, neither are the natural ones common. It takes three to six years to harvest these precious ornaments, which are born as an Oyster protects itself against an irritant surgically implanted near its genitals. The Oyster releases beautiful pearls matching the colour of the irritant. In its fight to protect itself, this wonderful creature gives us a special, rare and costly ornament of beauty. "African Pearls" are beautiful people who have developed lustre despite the pain and shame of suffering. Hardship is an irritant which has made us strong and propelled us to succeed.

Hardship has helped to develop our mental strength, determination, perseverance and focus. In the midst of our troubles, we have learnt to pursue our education with every breath in us. We have learnt things the hard way, so rejections and disappointments are not excuses for us to give up. Our hardships are like irritants, which have inspired us to build strong characters as a defence to guide and guard our future. Beyond the pictures of sick and needy people, there are scenes of hope and courage. The outside world should look for new angles on the African continent to picture. Success also has an African face and they are all over the world.

Africa, the second largest continent in area and population, has many of her "Pearls" scattered all over the world. Those who have decided to look for a better life. They have seen that things can be different. These children still carry in their hearts the pain of Africa. Living in the Western world is enlightening. You see lots of possibilities. You commend yourself for many years of adapting to life in Africa, and the strong person that you are today because of the hardship you faced. You are proud of being an "African Pearl". There are still millions who will never see the possibilities in the Western world, and will think that our problems are normal. But for their sake we must move for change, letting the world know that we are indeed tired of adapting to our problems. We must also give back to our homeland.

Real and lasting solutions need to be transferred from the round table of discussions, to the doorsteps and lives of the average African family. Our basic needs can not continue to be replaced by alternatives which place a burden on us and widen the gap between the rich and the poor. We all have one thing in common “ we are indeed tired of adapting to our problems.” African Pearls deserve a better life.

The rest of the world needs to know that we are serious about competing in the global economy. Africans must join hands to create new pictures of industrial revolution, quality education, stable and selfless governments, good roads, safe drinking water, electricity, and quality health care facilities. When these become our new identity, then we have a solid base. We will be sending a loud and clear message that the "African Pearl" is a rare and highly valued gemstone. ................African Pearls can be found worldwide.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year....................Discover and celebrate the Pearl in you.

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