Former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi; Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, and a Professor of Political Science, Richard Joseph, have called for a renewed focus on Africa’s regional integration, cooperation, and domestic solutions to drive growth and prosperity on the continent.
The scholars, who spoke during the launch of Richard Joseph Learning Centre at the NIIA in Lagos, expressed optimism in the possibility of achieving good governance and development in Nigeria and Africa despite the present challenges.
They said the learning centre symbolises hope and resilience and also demonstrates the determination to drive positive changes within the continent.
Prof. Joseph said the centre could be an institution whose impact would extend throughout Nigeria and the African region.
“The launch shows our determination and resilience over a number of years. It shows our belief in this great country and many of us have been involved in the struggle for what Nigeria can and should be. So, this place can be a place, really, of the strengthening of ideas that we have adhered to,” he said.
Saying Nigeria and Africa would bounce back, Joseph said: “I’ve been involved in the civil rights movement. I’ve been involved in the anti-colonial movement, and the anti-apartheid movement.
“I have seen it. I have seen when democracy was threatened in Nigeria and the resistance, the sacrifices, and the martyrdom. And we were able to overcome that. So, I have seen it. I have lived it.
“And quite frankly, I have no reason to doubt that we will overcome like we used to see.”
Prof. Akinyemi, who said that African Union and other institutions set up for integration in the region have not achieved their objectives, enjoined the younger generation to drive the actualisation of pan-Africanism and unification of efforts within the continent.
According to him, “The pathway to Africa integration is a generational target. The target for our generation was democracy and independence. We achieved that in some form. Your generation (younger generation of Africans) should, in fact, inherit the target of Pan-Africanism in terms of unification of efforts.
“Institutions have been set up for the integration of Africa. They are still trying to find their feet. And you have to continue to push our leaders, your leaders, towards the achievement of that integration.
“We set up the Organisation of African Union, OAU. It metamorphosed into the African Union, AU. You probably will have to come up with another institution.
“You know, it took only one leader, and that is Muammar Gaddafi, to push the OAU into the AU. Our leaders are very reluctant to go that far. We got the AU. It’s trying to find its feet. You dream dreams and go forward with that.”
Prof. Osaghae said that by promoting intellectual exchanges and knowledge-driven development, the centre aimed to contribute to Africa’s growth and success.
“International affairs and African affairs have the foundation that is intellectual and knowledge-driven. So, what we’re doing today is to give traction to that whole propensity. The fact that we cannot move forward in any way without intellectual exchanges of this kind.
“All great ideas have come from crucibles like this. And so today, we have inaugurated the Richard Joseph Learning Centre. It’s a platform for the exchange of ideas, for engagement in robust debates about development,” he said.
“The point is, Africa should not be where it is. What do we do to make Africa get to where it should be? Nigeria should not be where it is. What do we do to get Nigeria to where it has to be? Now, you heard today that there is every reason to hope.
“There’s every reason to build. There’s every reason to begin with new foundations. And here, the Richard Joseph Learning Centre provides a new platform for pushing forward this agenda of Africa must succeed, Nigeria must succeed,” Osaghae added.
