In the past, I have had misgivings about some of Oby Ezekwesili’s choice of social campaign and their modus operandi. However, after reading her Washington Post article on China published on April 16, 2020, where she called out China to pay reparations to Africa for its coronavirus failures, I am totally in support of her call. I was also recently impressed with her criticism of the actions of the son of her close friend Nasir El Rufai, who on Twitter had suggested the rape of a Twitter user’s mother. Madam Due Process as she is fondly called has proven herself to be a fighter and by many standards paid her dues. I trust her commitment and persistence to sustain and achieve this noble demand. 

If you had read the book; How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney, you would see the reason why China has to compensate Africa because, within a short while, China has done things that are somewhat more sinister. Some will see this as a victim mentality type of campaign that has retrogressed many Africans. Notwithstanding, if you document the activities of China in Africa in the last few decades you will conclude that what China is doing and has done deserves all Ezekwesili is asking for on behalf of her motherland. This is in continuation but bigger than what Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala achieved for Nigeria in the Obasanjo administration with the Paris Club. 

China has become an amazing nation, elevating her citizens to admirable status globally. But they have done this by also supporting and being a kingpin of piracy. Most of the fake drugs, vehicle parts, and other products in Nigeria and other African countries that have killed many are from China. This is a phenomenon the communist regime can easily track and stop. But for the economic gains, have chosen to look elsewhere. This call for reparation and debt forgiveness is an opportunity for China to prove many wrong about her imperialist tendencies. So, I call on all well-meaning Africans in Africa and in the diaspora to speak with one voice in supporting Oby Ezekwesili and following it up with online and offline petitions for China to take responsibility for their actions. When this has been achieved, Europe, America, and China must also help to track and expose all the corrupt leaders in Africa that continue to impoverish the people and do more harm than any foreign influence.

Ata Ukuta – Editor, www.towncryyers.com