THE PROBLEM WITH AFRICA 25

Three men feel inside a pit and there was no way out, so they started thinking what to do, suddenly one came with the idea that if they stand on each other that at least one of them would have the chance to escape the pit, but they all died in the pit because they couldn't resolve which of them would be on the top and which would be under. None wants to bend to carry the other to safety.

'Unless I'm the one getting out of this pit, I won't help anyone get out' was probably the dominant thought in their head. They all choose death instead of having another person get saved at the expense of their help.

One of the popular emotions in Africa is 'envy'. Envy is another form of witchcraft and there is nothing that hinders progress in Africa more than envy. Nobody wants to bend for others to climb to success and when you are trying to make it by yourself, they'll pull you down.
Envy looks like the normal reaction an average African feels whenever he sees his brother breakout of poverty or had a breakthrough is any vision and project.
'If I don't have it, let no one else do' is the kind of emotion in the mind of an average African.
Most Africans don't want you to excel, they rather have a foreigner make it than their friends and family.
This one major reason we hardly patronize local goods and services because it is our brothers that'll benefit when we do.
Our monies would increase in value when we patronize ourselves more than we patronize foreigners.
Development comes to Africa when your brother breaks through, and your sister excels
the energy used to succeed in Africa is multiple that used to succeed outside Africa because you'll have to overcome the opposition placed by your African brothers who are envious and would refuse to bend for you to climb on them.
The man who built an empire honestly in Africa would have built 10 times such empire outside Africa because he'll have to overcome household envies and oppositions.
The development of Africa begins with the success of your brother and friends.
We must be actively involved in building up one another, helping one another reach the skies.
When your brother has made it, if he doesn't add to your life, he won't be a minus because he is now self-sufficient. But when he hasn't made it, he may be forced to become a thief and soon he'll steal from you.
When others succeed without us, our lives would become better because they've succeeded and won't be a social problem to us. they won't steal from us, when they buy from us, they'll pay because they now have the means and when you offer any service to them, you'll be paid.
Let us be the shoulder to help our brother climb to the top. Let us support ideas and visions of one another. Let us promote what our brothers and friends do. let us promote their arts, patronize their services and buy their products.
And most importantly, let us not because someone is related to us seek to get their services for free or buy from them at huge discount Instead, let them enjoy better profit margin because they we patronized them.
God bless you
Promise Ikpe