When I was about 13 years old I learned about a place that had buildings,hotels,cars,highways,airplanes,tv sets,zoos.I heard this place was where only Black people lived and controlled things.Every Black male in America wonders at one time or another what it would be like living in a Black world.Many fantasies since days of Marcus Garvey dared us to dream the impossible,fantasies about a modern Black metropolis free from racist,poverty,division,self hate.A brotherhood of Black men building their own world like every other people's have done.Japan is the Japanese dream,China is becoming a Chinese dream,India is becoming an Indian dream.It is as though the Black man of African origin is destined to live under White domination forever.Although I grew up with every thing every other American kid had I often wondered when I used to pick up books on Africa and I was particularly fascinated by one place in particular.It was Nigeria,I used to see strong Black men in military gear,tall buildings,cars,finely dressed African women with their hair in cornrows.They looked like people I know around my family but in their own country!No one telling them what to do.They had the basics to free themselves but this sadly has not materialized because of the political situation in that great country.
Nigeria.Africa's Empire State
Nigeria is moving ahead to become a super power in Africa as everyone knows.But what many people don't realize is that Nigeria has the potential to be a super power in the world.With over 155 million people the largest Black nation on earth.More wealthy,educated Black people in her borders than anywhere in the world even the United States where Black people are falling behind in employment,HIV infections,wealth creation,education ect.Nigeria is improving on all fronts including science and technology.Nigeria now dominates the Black film world producing tons films a year.Only US and India produce more.Affectionately called Nollywood after Hollywood we see the culture shift in the Pan African world.Every since 1977 FESTAC events in Lagos Nigeria where the largest contingents of participants came from the African American community in the US,The African American culture dominated the African world.Now that all has changed.With hip hop becoming more and more commercialized,Black music,art and culture becoming more mainstream,the African American culture has lost relevancy in much of Africa.Now in Nigeria or Niaja black culture lives along with a modernizing progressive nation making Nigeria an exciting place to be right about now for people especially young Black males.
Lagos.The Black Metropolis
With a bright young visionary leader Barashunde Fashola Lago's new state governor he is building a new city outside Victoria Island.This will use sand dredged up to form artificial islands like the ones in Dubai and build futuristic cities rivaling Manhattan,London,Tokyo,Paris.Lago's population is expected to hit 25 million in 5 years making it the third largest in the world.Governor Fashola is also building a light rail network the first in West Africa that will connect with the new high speed rail system linking the whole country.Nigeria has all the means to solve its problems and be the capital of the black world.The question is will the African American community be apart of this revolution?Or will they miss another opportunity
