By George M.O. Williams
Delta State, Nigeria
Friday, 11th October, 2024
A traditional King from Delta State Nigeria, His Royal Majesty, The 21st Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III has named the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr Walton Ekundayo Gilpin Global Ambassador for the pan-African outfit, Elevate Africa.
Founded by King Atuwatse and other pan-African visionaries from Nigeria and across the globe, Elevate Africa is dedicated to reshaping the narrative of the African continent. It aims to showcase Africa’s rich history, culture, and indigenous solutions to foster a positive self-identity among young Africans and reintroduce Africa to the world. The initiative also seeks to inspire a new generation of African leaders and thinkers, ensuring the continent’s rich heritage and potential are recognised globally.
Gilpin is in Nigeria to participate in a two-day high-level event to discuss how Africa sees itself and how the world sees Africa. He was among a panel of two other speakers: Lord Mayor Fabrice Rulinda from Entebee, Uganda and award-winning social entrepreneur, NGO executive and global philanthropy leader and Vice Chairman of the United States-based Chandler Foundation’s Board of Directors, Tim Hanstad.
In the panel discussion that was streamed live in major news channels and social media platforms, Dr Walton Ekundayo Gilpin said Africa holds a unique advantage in the world which has sadly not been utilized to take its rightful place in the world community of nations. To this end, he believes that the continent must start taking deliberate actions that would enforce the belief that Africans must no longer be discriminated against.
“We need to lead…by telling our own stories the way we want Africa to be seen. We should make ourselves felt as Africans. We are going to earn our respect….it impacts the belief in ourselves…,” he said.
Gilpin summed up his presentation by reminding the high-level audience about the Western media’s biased coverage of Africa – referencing several instances where the news focus was persistently anchored on wars, famine, poverty, diseases, and crime and not the severally available positive stories from the continent.