The trouble with Africa is that its rich leaders are poorly educated

By AUGUSTINE ODUOR

The mention of The Concubine evokes enticing prose that defined the glorious era of African fiction, where magical realism fused with the every day.

From his descriptive novel, laced with humour and witticism, one would safely say the renowned Nigerian author Elechi Amadi is an interesting person. And he did not disappoint when he came calling last week.

Stepping out in a brown Kaunda suit, well kempt grey hair, and searching eyes peering through rimmed glasses, Amadi was animated in his encounter with students, journalists and political activists in Nairobi.

He was here on the invitation of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy and was accompanied by his wife Priye Iyalla.

Many years after his numerous publications, Amadi believes he has only managed a "modest achievement".

"I think I have achieved something in terms of projecting African literature…and projecting the African traditions. We can write stories out of stuff of our own lives as it comes out deliberately in The Concubine," he said.

He went on: "Telling the world that Africa has values and traditions, and that these have been operating before the white man came is my joy," he said, adding: "And the other prize I have and value the most is when students in Africa read my books and pass examinations."

The Concubine was for years a set-book for high school students in Kenya, and elsewhere on the continent.

Amadi clarified there is one thing that still bothers him. "The morals of African leaders have sunk to an all-time low," he said in his lecture, Promoting Values and Integrity among African Leaders and Institutions.

Right Education

Having abandoned the pen for the gun in the secessionist war in Nigeria’s Biafra, Amadi joined the military between 1963 and 1966 before returning to teaching.

But the commanders recalled him, and served there until the war ended in 1970, rising to the rank of captain.

Amadi spoke passionately about the need for good leadership in Africa. "Leadership is an on-going process — that is why we conduct elections. However, we will never see good leaders unless we get it right in education," he said.

Amadi said African leaders are in a rush to catch up with advanced nations, yet they do not work hard to change economic and social status of their people.

He said ill-educated individuals make poor leader as they have poor sense of values, are corrupted, "and their eyes are focused on their pockets".

"A good leader is one who is well educated and adheres to the rule of law and respects activities of concerned individuals and groups. A good leader should be above average, be able to play the guitar and even speak Portuguese," he said tongue-in-cheek.

He said unless education system in Africa is revised, good morals cannot be inculcated in future leaders.

"They are taught physics, biology and other subjects just to help them live but they are not taught about life itself," he noted.

He said the solution to Africa’s waning morals is the introduction of compulsory courses in philosophy, ethics or literature to help students know the values of humanity.

"Unless we get it right from school level we may never get the best leaders in Africa. But of course you know there is always a flashpoint for all leaders when they have to go," he said in reference to the protests unfolding in some of the North African states, the latest being Egypt.

Brightest angel

"Just like Lucifer was the brightest angel of God, Africans must also be wary of over-learned leaders because they may just be that — Lucifer."

Is he still writing? "Yes, I do," he said swiftly. "My recent work is Estrangement and you should expect more."

Born in 1934 in Aluu in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, Amadi does not look his age.

When asked what he does to keep fit, he said: "I don’t eat meat and all that. I try to eat just what our fathers used to eat. I try to keep active playing tennis and taking a walk every day."