As concerns grow among African leaders and stakeholders in chatting a new narrative for the continent, the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, Olori Atuwatse III, have taken the bull by the horn in championing a new narrative and identity for the continent.
Olori Atuwatse III founded and initiated the Elevate Africa (EA), a platform dedicated to spotlight and empower a new generation of Africa leaders and indigenous solutions for shared African issues, enhancing collaboration within and beyond the continent to drive socio-economic advancement and narrative transformation.
Speaking at the well-attended maiden event of Elevate Africa held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the Queen Consort expressed optimism that the EA project will change global perception and foster a dignified and collaborative Africa that stands proud of the global state.
She also noted strongly that the event was not just a gathering of eggheads but a platform that will stimulate and challenge minds to be innovative and find African ideas, African solutions in solving issues across education, gender equality, economic growth, decent work and climate action.
She posited, “One Nation cannot thrive alone. Elevate Africa is Pan-African because history has shown that our divisions are our downfall, ‘When Africans unites, Africa wins’. We elevate not a country, but a people—a people not bound by the commonwealth of their problems but a people bound by undeniable potential and shared destiny.
“And so in Elevate Africa we want to crowdsource ideas, fund solutions and showcase Africans’ brilliance. For years, we’ve been itching to do something to change the narrative about Africa, but we didn’t just wait around. We started right in our community and scaled up from there.
“The moments where we find hidden gems like the 24 year visually impaired innovator in our kingdom, peace oghenetejire, who invented a tech solution for blind people to read eBooks! These moments where we find the undiscovered light in our people are electric, they’re not just life changing for the individuals, it creates a ripple effect that touches countless others around them.
“Through the work we do, it has become obvious that we need dedicated home-grown spaces across Africa and its diaspora to incubate ideas, to proffer solutions to our regional problems and to tell our stories. We need to tell our stories – not just the stories of African outliers and unicorns but of everyday innovators making a difference.
“Elevate Africa is not just a mission, elevate Africa is not just a movement, elevate Africa is a mandate: TO ELEVATE AFRICA! It is a call to action. It is time to elevate our solutions and reclaim our stories. It is time for Africans to show the world just how brilliant, innovative and unstoppable we are as a people in Africa.
“Our organisation stands on three transformative pillars: Convenings, Fellowships, and Media. All three will work together to promote African solutions to African problems. Our Convenings such as this will gather the brightest minds from across the continent and its diaspora – government leaders, CEOs, community builders, tech innovators, social changemakers. We are not to chase titles we are chasing impact. Our focus is on great ideas and even greater actions. This isn’t just another dialogue, our convening are a breeding ground for solutions.
“In years to come, it is our hope that the solutions and stories from our three agencies will make life much more prosperous for Africans everywhere. It is our hope that A boy in Ethiopia will know without a doubt that he’s just as valued and worthy as his counterpart in any global city. A researcher in Chad will have access to the tools to do groundbreaking work. We’re here to do our part in making that a reality.”
The event attracted former President of Kosovo, First Lady of Nigeria, Ministers, Diplomats, Senators, Entrepreneur, Minister, and award winning Artistes Davido and Teni Makanaki. It was anchored by CNN Senior Editor for Africa, Stephanie Busari, among others.
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