My Beauty Best Teacher

Tolu Ogunlesi at TEDxEuston:

If there’s one thing TED makes clear, it is the absurdity of trying to fit high-achieving individuals into neat boxes. Listening to all these people speak, one would inevitably realise that if their lives could be captured by one word it would not be a job or profession, or even a singular achievement or series of achievements, but by a “quest” - to defy convention, conquer uncharted territory, and help in bringing transformation to their societies.

For this to be Africa’s decade, massive investments in infrastructure are needed, alongside legal and policy reforms to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. But, perhaps, most crucial will be the fight against corruption...Undoubtedly, the efficacy of the revolutionary ideas that will solve Africa’s many problems will depend on the success of an accompanying ethical revolution.

First of all, get rid of any hang-ups you might have about Africa being a continent. It is a country, and so when people ask if you speak African, or eat African, do not get all worked up trying to explain how a homogenous Africa only exists in a lazy imagination. And certainly do not go the complicated route of explaining about how a country like Nigeria has over three hundred different languages. (Languages‌ Not dialects‌ Are you sure‌) Do everyone a favour and smile and say Yes or No as the spirit moves you. It will save you some frustration. Believe me, I know. It will also save your interrogator some bafflement. If you want to be humorous though, you can ask your interrogator if they speak European. Be prepared for some lessons on history though. Europe is a continent of history. Unlike that country, Africa, which is too dark for any sense of history to permeate...[continue reading]