ONE member and musician D’banj is our guest blogger today, calling for you to be part of the You Choose campaign.
I’ve always been passionate about taking Africa’s music to the world. Now, more than ever, I also want to take Africa’s voices to the world.
My career has taken me to different parts of the world. I have seen the best and unfortunately, the worst of both worlds. One thing is for sure: like many Africans, nothing beats home. I am Nigerian born and Nigerian bred with no regrets. I am proudly African.
So, despite all the things that people say about my beloved motherland, I can testify that Africa is on the rise. With a continental income of USD 2 trillion, it’s on the verge of its much awaited economic and social transformation. Africa’s own rapidly growing and youthful population and its rising middle class are both pushing the boundaries of a rising continent. Today, Africa’s middle class is said to be bigger than India’s. The isolation of most Africans even in remote areas has been ended by the proliferation of mobile based services improving the quality of life.
However, Africa still faces challenges that include high deaths caused by treatable and preventable diseases such as TB, HIV AIDS and malaria. The population still faces chronic malnutrition, and the lack of quality schools and jobs. You and I need to tackle all of these things which are holding back the progress needed to break the cycle of poverty.
It’s time we as Africans from Dar to Banjul, from Harare to Mogadishu say NO to poverty. Africans must come together as ONE and take control of our own destiny.
All of us have a part to play in fighting preventable diseases, poverty and hunger on the continent. Our forefathers said “United we stand, divided we fall”. The end of poverty isn’t a pipe dream it’s well within reach. We are the generation to make it happen.
Join me and the ONE campaign and get your voice heard.
We’re listening. Tell us what needs to change to make a change for Africa.
D’banj is a founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development. He is also Nigeria’s first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace.