Dr Henry Akintunde
VALUE SHIFT
2020 Dr Henry Akintunde
ISBN 978-1-83853-943-6
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise - without prior written permission of the author.
About the Book
Why are the developed nations of the world developed and why are most African nations under-developed? Dr Akintunde believes the answer is differences in value systems. In Value Shift, Dr Akintunde demonstrates that developed nations are so, because they have evolved value systems that implicitly place people at the centre of all the society does. This is largely not the case with under-developed nations of Africa. He further argues that for African societies to progress, there has to be a value shift. This shift must of a necessity be based on the society as a whole placing the highest regard on human life and building systems around this. Dr Akin tun de extensively draws from his experience of the two worlds; first growing up in Nigeria, then living, schooling and working in the United Kingdom for over a decade.
Praise for Value Shift: Learning from the best of two worlds
Normally, when I get a request for a book review or foreword by Nigerian and African writers, I am always gearing myself to read some super-spiritual and religious content. How surprised I was when I got to read this book by Dr Henry Akintunde. It was the absolute opposite of what I had imagined. I am so happy, fulfilled, and proud of Dr Akintunde for the approach he took in this book.
There is surely a new generation of Africans rising. A new voice is coming from Africa where what we write about is not just some spiritual and mystical experiences that are not correlating with reality. In Dr Henry Akintunde, I see the future of a great continent and I see a young man that is ready to bring revival, restoration, and common sense to the continent.
This book on its own makes me very proud. First of all, he has been able to identify the major problem and challenge that is facing our people which is the problem of values. Most African leaders and pastors have not gotten to this level. They only talk about prayer, hope, and ask God to come to change things but Dr Akintunde has really surprised and impressed me at the same time. The content of this book is the future of our continent and nation. Anyone who wants to live in the future and not in the past should get this book and read it. The wisdom and solutions in this book are what Nigerians who have been exposed to two worlds, both in Africa and in the western world know will bring growth and development if taken back to our continent.
I remember the last time I met with Dr Akintunde, he spoke about going back to Africa and not staying in the west. Now, I understand better having read this book. Yes, we need every one of us who have been given the privilege to study or live abroad and learn of the two worlds to return to Africa to give hope, lend a voice and a hand to the development of our nation and our continent. The values and emphasis placed in this book are the very things I believe and have been campaigning for. But it is so rare to see people who believe in the same thing and do so clearly.
I am so impressed by the fact that God has given hope to Africa in a person like Dr Akintunde because this is the secret of our continents future. It is the way out. Our continent must focus on values, we must emphasize on value-driven society, value-driven organizations, value-driven government. We must begin to focus on values like diligence, resilience, respect, care, communal spirit, and many other values that will enable our people to build a better continent and nation.
Thank you so very much Dr Akintunde for a wonderful job you have done. I am so proud of you. All Africans must read this book. Thank you for giving yourself to God to write this book.
Much love.
Dr Sunday Adelaja
Bestselling author of Church Shift Senior Pastor, God Embassy
Kyiv Ukraine.
Dr Akintundes writings come in the context of the current increased visibility of historical inequities, systemic racism and their effects. These events have highlighted in the United Kingdom that there is a need to decolonise our curricula and teaching. These have an historically informed global north/ western research and historical domination which is compounded by the impact of colonialisation and slavery. From the outset Henry highlights differences of societal and professional values and attitudes with a recognition of bidirectional understanding and learning between the African and European continents that he considers.
I am ashamed that in reading this book I learned a different version of African history and culture to that which I was taught at school and was in the books that I read. In this book Henry is willing to challenge convenient beliefs, to explore value systems and to reflect on how we can all learn.
I commend this work to you. In particular to consider the suggestion that leadership is about service not power and that the higher you are in leadership, the more you are expected to serve.
We have much to learn from each other. Diversity of thought and learning from diverse heritages is vital to our futures. The values explored herein offer much to consideration of these.
Prof Simon Gregory DL
Deputy Medical Director, Primary and Integrated Care and Freedom to Speak up Guardian (FTSUG),
Health Education England
I am in awe of this beautiful piece of work. This is an essential read as it gives a reflective account of cultural and socio-economic interplay with regards to developing and developed countries.
Using United Kingdom and Nigeria as reference points, Dr Henry Akintunde has brilliantly put together this study that zooms in and out of the differences in cultures and economies. Based on his experience and good research, he has proffered lines of solutions/actions to make a better society.
He has captured my thoughts and that of a lot more people that have lived in these two different economies. He further highlights the strengths of cultures, encouraging those characteristics while comparatively discussing weaknesses in cultures and giving real life examples on how to improve this.
It is a must read for everyone and steers deep reflection on how citizens of developing countries can promote positive change in their society.
Dr Gbenga Ogunbadejo MRCGP MBA health
GP and President of Nigerian GPs UK
Manchester, UK
This book is a well thought out analysis of the reasons for the inability of the third world countries to make progress. The personal experience of the author makes it so easy to connect with and have a better understanding of the challenges confronting developing nations like Nigeria.
Dr Henry Akintunde has been able to brilliantly establish that, faulty value system is the major setback to development in the under-developed nations.
He was able to stimulate the need to review and redefine our value system in order to be abreast with the civilized society. He was able to open up the strong link between cultures and values. From his presentation, it would be right to conclude that your culture is a reflection of your values.
I observed that the authors exposure to different cultures availed him the opportunity to understand the challenges and obstacles that developing countries, need to deal with to square up with the developed world. The author is able to create a paradigm shift that will help the upcoming generation to connect to right thinking.
