By Demola Sanyaolu
My first exposure to the ‘Word processor’ application was in 1991 when I was getting trained at a famous computer institute in my area back then (Jelly-Las). The proprietress, Mrs. Lasaki, actually gave me a scholarship to study in her school because of the cordial relationship between her and my mom.
I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and voraciously devoured every ‘knowledge I could lay my brains on’.
WordPerfect® and WordStar® were the famous word processors of those times. I also learned COBOL®, GWBASIC® and other programming languages which have now become obsolete.
I needed to take you down ‘Memory Lane’ so you can appreciate how word processors have evolved over the years.
Fast forward, the famous Microsoft office® word has taken over the landscape for many years without shifting base.
Imagine a 21st century typist at a government office telling me that a typewriter is still better than Microsoft word in this time and age. The fact that they refuse to upscale their knowledge base will make them discard anything with development.
One special feature of the word processor which makes documentation formatting easy is the COPY and PASTE feature. You are given the opportunity to duplicate a word, phrase, sentence or an entire document without having to retype it.
One basic common rule with computers is the GIGO (Garbage-In Garbage-Out). If you paste the copied text in the wrong place, then it is entirely your fault and not the word processor’s.
This word processor feature applies to life. Because Mr. A begins a business that thrives, Mr. B also wants to make quick money and copies the business but when pasted wrongly and it does not thrive, he attributes the failure to spiritual powers (don’t misquote me but flow with my message… Business failure is not always the result of a spiritual attack).
Mr. B refuses to ask Mr. A how to apply (paste) the business ethics to his environment and what may be involved.
Let us relate this scenario with this video clip. It is a well known fact that African leaders would always jump at any civilization developmental project or process without knowing when, where and how to apply it to their clime.
African leaders visit Europe, America etc, see the beautiful technological, political and social advancement, and hurry home to paste same without first seeking how and where it is best to apply such.
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Africa copied he democratic structures of developed world but failed to allow freedom of expression to reign amongst their citizens.
I want you to view this clip again and imagine what would happen if it were your country.
This is the UK Prime minister, Boris Johnson, being pelted by the citizens.
Protesters are allowed to express their anger without arrest, condemnations and prosecution. No gun fire or tear gas on the protesters.
Rather the Prime Minister with his cabinet will work to make better the living conditions of the people of UK, execute the will of the people as against the will of the elites-1%, and deliver sound governance or risk another mass action.
This is how democracy should be PASTED in Africa. Our leaders hate to hear divergent views and once you critique them, you must be gagged into submission or charged with treason for expressing your discontent.
The intolerable nature of African leaders towards the citizens is a foul odour to all and sundry. Until Africa chooses to COPY and PASTE correctly, the political grandstanding and brutality may be far from over while we remain in the doldrums of being categorized as a developing nation.
