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"Why" and "Excellence" Bible lectures
editIn his contribution to the moral and intellectual transformation of the African people, Pipim conducts regular Bible Lecture series on major African university campuses, both secular and religious.[citation needed] Among these are his “WHY” and “Excellence” series.[citation needed] These lectures grew out of presentations he first gave to different groups in the United States, but which he now adapts for students, faculty, and staff on African university campuses.[better source needed][1] Believing that the “African mindset” is the problem, and not the “African mind,” Pipim's lectures his audiences to think differently, take responsibility for the destiny of their lives, their institutions and their nations.[neutrality is disputed][disputed – discuss] He frequently tells his audiences to “change the world, by first being changed.”[citation needed]
Imploring students to be part of the solution in transforming the African situation, Pipim insists that there is no reason to wait until after school. “If not now, we're late,” he says.[unbalanced opinion?] He believes that the change that he thinks Africa needs today can be (or must be) brought about by its young people.[citation needed] But he argues that the first step in changing Africa is to clearly understand the nature and true cause of the problem. This step calls for critical thinking and the asking of some relevant “Why” questions.[2] Hence his “Why” lecture series. The titles of the “Why” lectures are rhetorical in nature, providing biblical solutions to everyday questions he considers relevant to students and to the larger African society.[unreliable source?][3]
The change Pipim is promoting is one which moves Africans from the “chicken mindset to eagle mindset,” from mediocrity to excellence. He derives the chicken/eagle metaphor from the statement by James E. K. Aggrey (1875–1927), one of his esteemed African role-models: “My people of Africa, we were created in the image of God, but men have made us think that we are chickens, and we still think we are, but we are eagles. Stretch forth your wings and fly! Don't be content with the food of Chickens.”[4]
As the title of the “Excellence” series suggests, Pipim invites Africans to aim high, to strive for excellence in all aspects of life—academic, professional, and spiritual. For example in his lecture titled "The Need for Excellence" or “Shine Like Gold” (here, “gold” is a metaphor for such desirable virtues as diligence, integrity, selflessness, simplicity, compassion, patience, kindness, and others), he urges his fellow Africans: “Don't lose your gold; don't substitute brass for gold; and don't be content with anything less than gold.”[unreliable source?][better source needed][5]
- ^ According to the "drpipim.org" website, as of March 2011 Pipim has given Bible lectures at the following African institutions of higher learning: Babcock University, Nigeria (2001, 2010), Helderberg College, Somerset West, South Africa (2003), University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya (2003), University of Ghana, Legon (2004), University of Cape-Coast, Ghana (2005, 2007, 2009), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana (2006, 2008), University of Education, Ghana (2007, 2011), Tshwane University of Science & Technology, Pretoria, South Africa (2007), Valley View University, Ghana (2007), University of Lagos, Nigeria (2008), University of Zambia (and Evelyn Horne College), Lusaka, Zambia (2008), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria (2008), Ashesi University College, Ghana (2010), and University of Botswana, Botswana (2011).
- ^ For example, during his March 2010 lecture at Ashesi University College in Ghana, Pipim outlined the following steps or principles to aid Africans in their quest to improve conditions on the continent: 1. Know and understand the problem; 2. Grow people to think outside the box; 3. Pursue excellence; and 4. Don't underestimate the power of one person. See, “Dr. Samuel Koranteng Pipim Speaks about Making a Difference”, accessed March 18, 2011.
- ^ A version of Pipim's “Why” lecture series on university campuses was aired on Amazing Discoveries TV channel as “Why? Questions Demanding Answers,” accessed June 28, 2011.
- ^ “Dr. J.E. Kwegyir Aggrey is rather special”, accessed June 29, 2011.
- ^ Although the “Excellence” lecture series are essentially the same as those presented to young people around the world, the version he presents in Africa are adapted to address Africa's unique challenges. One version of the Excellence series is available on line as: “The Need for Excellence,”, “The Symbol of Excellence,”, “The Key to Excellence,”, “The Steps to Excellence,”, “The Urgency of Excellence,”, “The Questions on Excellence,”, and “The Way of Excellence,”. Assessed via AudioVerse website on April 15, 2011.