…Ballsbridge University and ICM, United Kingdom, holds joint convocation and induction ceremony
Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, where the quality of its human capital will determine its place in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy.
According to Ezeogu Chukwuemeka, a corporate trainer at Quantum Core Consulting, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State, speaking on “Closing the Thought Gap: Cognitive and Educational Intervention for Africa’s Future Competitiveness” at the joint convocation and induction lecture of Ballsbridge University and the Institute of Commercial Management, United Kingdom, held in Lagos, when he emphasised that prioritising education is not just a policy choice, it is a strategic imperative for unlocking the continent’s full competitive potential.
“Closing the thought gap is not merely an academic concern but a strategic imperative, one that demands a deliberate recalibration of cognitive development and educational priorities to unlock Africa’s potential for sustainable competitiveness in the global arena,” he said.
Chukwuemeka highlighted the fact that the dynamism of nations is propelled by the ability to generate new paradigms, adapt mental models, and foster environments where creativity, analytical reasoning, and future-oriented perspectives thrive.
Hence, African nations must as a matter of fact be deliberate in positioning their next generation to be globally competitive by prioritising education, and reshaping their thought patterns towards knowledge acquisition.
Making a reference to the ideologies of René Descartes, renowned for his contributions to both philosophy and mathematics, who established his philosophical framework upon the Latin dictum “cogito ergo sum,” which translates as “I think, therefore I am.” He posited that the act of doubting one’s own existence necessitates thought, thereby serving as evidence for the existence of the thinking subject.
The life and business coach expert said that he contends that grounding one’s existence solely in the act of thinking, as posited by Descartes, presents a philosophically problematic premise.
“If thought is taken as the definitive proof of existence, it could be inferred that thought itself exists independently from the individual. “While acknowledging the intellectual contributions and intentions of Descartes, I propose a revision of his dictum to read: “I am, therefore I think,” he said.
This alternative formulation, he noted, suggests that existence precedes thought; thought does not define existence but rather elucidates it. Thus, he argued that the essence of being is established prior to the emergence of thought, which serves to enrich and accentuate the fact of existence.
Accordingly, he said, the central objective of his lecture is not to offer a critique of Descartes’ philosophical contributions. Rather, his intention is to facilitate a rigorous and evidence-based reflection on the current realities confronting the African continent.
“I aim to systematically examine the underlying causes of many of the continent’s challenges, situating them principally within the domain of thought, specifically, the pervasive deficit in cognitive capacities observed across the region,” he stated.
He emphasised that Africans need to reorient their process of acquiring and understanding, by deliberately prioritising education.
“As we contemplate Africa’s current realities, it becomes evident that the continent’s trajectory will be determined not simply by material resources or inherited circumstances, but by the capacity to cultivate and harness transformative thinking,” he said.
Ballsbridge University is an online, transnational and independent higher education institution chartered and recognised by the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), is a professional body for commercial and business development staff.
