PLO Lumumba urges youth to be catalysts of change in society

KISUMU,

Friday October 20, 2023,

KNA by Rolex Omondi

Lawyer PLO Lumumba has made a clarion call on the African youth to rise up and take centre stage in creating change and transformation in society.

Prof. Lumumba who spoke in Kisumu County on Thursday after the lakeside city was endorsed to host the 5th World Blacks and Africans Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 2024 beseeched the young people to seize the moment to learn the value of culture and embrace it.

“You should be competing with the world and not by yourself or the neighbouring countries. Are you prepared to compete with Indians and South Koreans? In this way you will be useful to the continent and the world,’’ he stated.

He made the remarks while delivering a public lecture on the ‘Role of the Youth in Shaping Africa’s Future,’ at the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre in Kisumu. Through talent exploitation, Prof Lumumba clarified the youth will be better placed to solve their talents.

Prof Lumumba stressed that FESTAC is in the context of Pan-Africanism and they are talking about the works of young Africans who made a contribution to the world.

The notable contributors he pointed out include Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, Robert Mongolisu Sobukwe, Julius Nyerere and Winnie Mandela.

“They were young, passionate and prepared to die for their countries. History, therefore, has been consistent and whenever there is change of a dramatic kind, in the lives of nations and civilization, there is always the bravery of young Africans,” he offered.

Lumumba, who is the Director of Kenya School of Law, further added that the young people are the change-makers in the world in various disciplines including during independence and the political arena.

“When Chinua Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart (1968), he was only 22years old and when Fadhili William wrote the song Malaika, he was in his 20s, Bob Marley sang about Buffalo Soldier when he was in his late 20s,” Prof Lumumba stated.

He added, “The continent of Africa faces a myriad of challenges and the society can’t grow if the young men and women are not awake.” 

Prof Lumumba emphasized that people should not discard their culture but strive to offer teachings to preserve their various languages.

“With cultural dynamism, the future of Africa rests on the youth’s shoulders and you must be prepared to surmount the challenge,” he said.

Lumumba advised that whatever the young people want to achieve today, and tomorrow they must be ready to begin now.

“What kind of young men and women are you? Don’t sleep through a revolution or change. It can be done, play your part,” PLO Lumumba posed and reassured the youth as he paraphrased the words of the late Tanzanian Former President Julius Nyerere and Irvin Washington.

The Chairman of FESTAC, Mr. Yinka Abioye informed the gathering that the organization was founded in the early 1960s with the aim of ending colonization and creating a platform that brings African people together.

“It was meant to call and wake up people to rally towards common goals. We should strive to have one Africa One Country and One Passport,’’ Abioye said.

He said that the forthcoming FESTAC event to be held in Kisumu from May 20-26 2024 will be a success and imprint a lasting impression. The fun-filled festival will bring over 10,000 people from different geographies, tribes and countries who will come to showcase their diverse cultures from all over the globe.

In light of the above, he encouraged local and neighbouring small and medium traders to come and make profits from doing brisk business. The festival will also have sporting activities like rugby, netball, volleyball, golf and basketball among others.

The FESTAC boss further pointed out they are currently working with NBA professional basketball players in the US who have confirmed to grace the next festival fiesta.

Abioye added that any talented youth shouldn’t shy away with their talents and skills; “but be always ready to show their mettle and be discovered by the world.”

Courtesy; KNA