The Director, Pan African Studies, Syracuse University, New York, USA, Prof. Horace Campbell, has called on African leaders to find a way to unify countries in the African continent for them to be able to compete with other continents in social, economic, political and cultural transformation.

He made this call in a lecture, entitled, “Reconstruction, Transformation and African Unity in 21st Century,” which he presented at an annual public lecture programme organized recently by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), in collaboration with the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN),

In the lecture, Prof. Campbell stated that no nation can experience maximum transformation without the cooperation of other nations and that African leaders should arise and resist Imperialism and Western Neo-colonialism, averring that this could be achieved through unification of African currencies, youths, resources, etc. like other continents, for example, Europe (Euro), America (Dollar), and so on.

“Africans should start their transformation with education; our people should stop teaching our children in foreign languages and our indigenous languages should be our paramount,” he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe, called on Africans to try and develop their indigenous technologies, which in turn will bring positive developments to the continent, adding: “The development of our indigenous languages, technologies and human resources will put us ahead of other continents if our leaders take it seriously.”

Prof. Mark Anikpo, who was the lecture reviewer, maintained that the unification of Africa will bring up a United Africa, citing the fact that most parts of other continents are united; for instance, Europe, America, Asia, the Caribbean, are together but that Africa is not united due largely to egocentrism and selfishness.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Ben Chukwuma Ozumba expressed happiness on the lecture and called on African leaders to rise up to the occasion and defend their continent as well the rights of their citizens against Western Imperialism.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, represented by the Director, Research and Documentation of the Institute, Prince Bamidele Olusa, called on stakeholders to key into NICO programmes to enhance the unity of the country in particular and Africa in general, pointing out that the total neglect of our culture has precipitated massive corruption, nepotism, sectionalism, and so on, and that there was urgent need to “go back to the drawing board.”

The vote of thanks was delivered by the Director, Institute of African Studies, UNN, Prof. Emeka Nwabueze, just as the occasion was spiced with performances by Enugu State Cultural Troupe and UNN Dance Troupe.

Nnaemeka Nwajagu

NICO Enugu State Office