2024: A Call For Responsible Humanity  

2024: A Call For Responsible Humanity        

Olugbenga George, Abuja

2023 in retrospect

Immersed in the euphoria of the festive season that’s reminiscent of varied social realities, my heart is full of gratitude for the successful completion of a calendar year that came with many intriguing scenarios of unprecedented upheavals. 

The events, which are too numerous to mention had a major impact on every member of our collective global community, with some  spectacular occurrences in the African Continent,  and a complex labyrinth of customized experiences in Nigeria.

Although it is almost an unwritten rule of play that a year be engrossed with multiple events of positive and negative essence, the year 2023 presented experiences that only existed in the realm of reason prior to the time.

From political economy to governance, business and finance, diplomatic relations and trade affiliations, industry and market forces, faith and religious communities, technology and the rise of artificial intelligence AI, civil society and human rights practice, the outgone year presented a whirlwind whose waves challenged our perceptions and shaped our realities permanently or perhaps temporarily.

We have now come to a point where regardless of what we believe or where we live, our social status or moral heritage, we share equal fate  across various platforms of our collective existence.

At this juncture, let us all maintain a minute silence in deference to the dead as an obeisance to their immortally departed souls.

With 8068 number of lives  lost to outright terrorism in Nigeria representing a 6% rise, 8822 representing 9% rise in Afghanistan, 8564 representing 17% in Burkina Faso, 8463 representing 11% in Somalia, to mention but few according to data released by the Global terrorism Index (GTI) in her 2023 reports, more lives were lost in the outgoing year, despite a significant reduction in global terror activities.

Meanwhile, Wikipedia reveals that as of 25 December,  2023, 22,000 Palestinians and Israelis in all have been killed in the Israel–Hamas war, including 69 journalists (62 Palestinian, 4 Israeli and 3 Lebanese) and over 135 UNRWA aid workers.

This is not to mention the over 83,000 deaths that occurred in the war Between Russia and Ukraine which began since February 2022, and the terror tsunami that claimed over 100, 000 lives in the eastern African nation of Ethiopia the same year.

While I do not derive pleasure in reeling out death tolls and the figure that graces its hall of fame, I feel compelled to bring to the fore the futility and fragility of the human life, and man’s inability to outrightly determine his own fate.

Among the many who lost their dear lives are rich and famous people, educated professionals, trained and experienced security personnel, aid workers, middle class and extremely poor people,  the most vulnerable and endangered species of homosapiens; women and children, religious leaders, statesmen and peasants alike.

While I’m simply trying to point out the fickleness of human life, I’m also consumed by the desire to challenge us all to wake up to the appreciation of the life we’ve got, that it is a gift bestowed upon us by the custodian of all galaxies. 

It is to also remind us that we are not permitted to be anything less than considerate, in our quest for power, riches and fame. 

For the many who are dead do not know the usefulness of these things after their demise, and we who are still alive do not know the moment our lungs will stop drawing oxygen because of the chaos that we cause daily.

Message for the new year

As we step into the new year therefore, I urge every global resident to develop a common vision that prioritizes peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity, a just and equitable society where each individual can aspire to and become whatever they desire, regardless of where they are momentarily.

I call on  rich and powerful governments and their leaders to be more humane and less tyrannical through mindless trade deals and business policies.

I call on all terror groups and those who serve the destroyer, to quit the immoral penchant for bloodletting and havoc, to find a reprieve for their crimes in the beauty and color that exists in our collective individuality and common existence. 

I call on developing nations, regardless of their locations to rise up and take charge of their destinies.

Arise oh Africa!

I call on Africa to take responsibility for her future. For it is crystal clear, that Africa is the next big brother to the world across all fronts.

But if her leaders continue in the wild goose chase of power and influence, ignoring the sprouting opportunities that exist for relevance and dominance,  forgetting the value and virtue that make up her essence, then the world will be set on reserve button where inequality and covert colonization prevails and the Africa We Want continues to elude us.

As head of Political desk (Nigeria) at the African Civil Society Forum (AFRICSOF), I call on all Africans to rise up and take advantage of all that’s bestowed upon us by our creator , to take responsibility by demanding accountability from those to whom the power of decisions have been given, to arm ourselves with the knowledge and information that our leaders need, to become leaders in our small circles, refusing to be limited by our current challenges, holding truth and courage dear in the face of intimidation.

Arise o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey

I also call on fellow Nigerians to wear the spirit of Unity and Faith that gives birth to Peace and Progress, to build a vast green land where prosperity, growth and justice reigns.

Building on the collective strength that we amassed from the just concluded year 2023, let us forge ahead with hope, courage and determination, not to become the best but better.

Better than our challenges and difficulties, better than who and what we were in the years gone past. 

Let us strive for greatness while we bask in hope for better tomorrows.

Remember that being better is cool, but being best is boring, there’s no position after best.

Personal testimony

Come to think of it, 2023 wasn’t outrightly a bad year, was it? We sure had our ups and downs but won in the end.

For me as an individual, the last quarter of the year came with many responsibilities, opportunities for decisions that matter, and experiences that strengthened my capacity for better.

Haven received an official appointment as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary General, Africa Affairs, International Society of Diplomats (ISD) on Media & Communications, I am committed to fostering dialogues and conversations on social, economic as well as political growth, the advancement of diplomatic relations, the development of policies and value proposition across all levels using the media as a springboard and communications as the tool of play.

POV: This is for me the Year of Flourishing & Thriving Supernaturally because with my God, all things are possible! 

Let’s begin 2024 therefore with a toast  to greatness and a heart of gratitude 

Happy New Year World 

Olugbenga George (O.G) writes from Abuja, he is a Journalist, Media Strategist, and Communications Expert.

Email: gbsamson37@gmail.com