Media entrepreneur, Adebola Williams, on Wednesday, kicked off a tour of four major American cities by engaging diaspora Africans at the SAID Institute in Houston, Texas.
This was immediately followed by his engagement at the Rockhill Centre in Atlanta where he had a robust conversation with critical stakeholders on issues highlighted in his book, ‘African Power Girls’.
In Houston, Adebola spoke at the event themed, ‘Africa in the Next Decade & Beyond’. Anchored by culture project manager, Mervin Azeta, the event covered issues relating to youth and women’s participation in governance and decision-making through peer learning and mentoring, enhanced solidarity, advocacy and capacity-building amongst others.
In his keynote address, Williams spoke on the importance of diaspora Africans in the overall development of the continent.
According to him Africa is not complete if it doesn’t include and acknowledge the efforts, contributions, and achievements of those in the diaspora. The future of Africa depends on its people in the diaspora because of the skills, knowledge, education, experiences, and networks that you have been able to garner, and which many people back home may not have access to.
He urged Africans in the diaspora to pay more attention to the issues plaguing the continent with a view to finding ways to get even more involved in the development of Africa.
“I would encourage you to help your families back home to be economically independent so that they don’t continually depend on your for stipends. By so doing, we can create a ripple effect that ultimately ensures the true independence of Africa and its people.
“We must be strategic in our engagement in Africa by supporting small businesses which is a major provider of employment opportunities. We should also be mindful to be strategic in our philanthropy. Support education on the continent by building schools, paying school fees, donating books, giving scholarships, and much more. This way we’re not not giving for the sake of it, but we are making a difference in the way that it truly moves the needle and guarantees change,” he added.
At his event in Atlanta, Williams spoke on the topic: ‘African Prosperity and Empowering our Girls’. The event also served as the America launch of his ‘Africa Power Girls’.
He said, “I wrote this book to let young girls across the world to know that before the world tells them that they can’t dream, they can’t hope, they can’t aspire that women like them have gone through a lot, and in the process built amazing things and achieved incredible feats. I want them to know that they do not need anyone’s permission to become.
“Tonight, I want to let you know that you are water to Africa. The world can be arrogant to Africa, and to Black people, so that you can feel second class. But they know that the technology and many things that holds the world come from our continent. They continue to tell you that you’re not good enough so that you don’t ask for what you deserve. Africa needs its lawyers, its doctors, its economists, and many more, therefore you must begin to do work that benefits your continent.”
The book spotlights the lives of African women who have made exploits and achieved extraordinary feats in the face of challenges peculiar to raising a girl child in Africa.
