Theme: ÈCHÈFUNÀ

Let us say it again, we are not Africans because we are born in Africa, we are Africans because Africa is born in us.
In these globally interesting times of widespread complexities, identities are fast changing as circumstances are. And now, more than ever it is difficult to know and to be oneself.

Like the legendary Chinua Achebe would say, "nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am - and what I need - is something I have to find out myself “. Today's civilization seeks to redefine us in ways that we are not. From the media to the schools, to the books on our shelves. It tells us that we are not enough. It tells us to hate ourselves, to reject our passions and magic, and to see our ways and that of our forebears as ugly.

There are so many living examples of how we reject ourselves today and of how we are embracing the trending dominating civilizations. We do not like our hair and skin because we have been conditioned not to see beauty in how we are. We spite our ancestors because some narrative defamed them and demonised all their ways.

But what kind of civilization would cause me to spite my heritage and all the glories and magic that holds it together?
What do we do to who we are, and to the civilization that hinders us from embracing our true identity?
Who would be so brave to have this discussion if not you who is too conscious to be swayed by the times.
For us to thrive in the days ahead, we must always remember whose descendants we are, our uniqueness, values, and the hero we have been. We should never forget.

Jane Kalu
Bank Road, opposite Stanbic IBTC Bank
Umuahia, Abia, 440221
Nigeria

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Chuks Ekwueme

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Chucks Ekwueme is the CEO of Uniccon group. His team and company have developed the first African Humanoid (Omeife) with a multilingual communication skills

Chukwuma Okenwa

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Chukwuma Okenwa is a leadership expert and a seasoned political analysts

Mkpa Agu Mkpa

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Mkpa Agu Mkpa is the formal Vice Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu. He is a very accomplished academic researcher and a distinguished scholar.

Mrs Chiemela Anosike

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Mrs Chiemela Anosike is committed to bring clean and steady energy to the African living below $1 daily.

Siza Amah Kalu

THE POETIC SEARCH FOR OUR DROWNING CULTURE

Kalu Siza Amah, from Amamiri Ihechiowa, Abia State, was raised in Aba, Nigeria. He teaches Performance Poetry at Osiri University, Nebraska-lincoln, USA. He is a member of the Aba Poetry Club. His poems have appeared in Dreich, Disquiet Arts, Ngiga Review, MuseUNN, and others. His Julius Caesar Monologue has toured many cities and staged at many events in Nigeria including the Dike Chukwumerije Night of Spoken Word, TEDxAsata, Enugu Literary Festival, Umuahia Literary Society, More Life Concert Portharcourt, and others.