A scholar at the Department of Language, Linguistic and Philosophy, University of West Indies, Jamaica, Prof. Ishola Ayotunde Bewaji, has said Africans have suffered an identity crisis.
He said this is responsible for their problems.
Bewaji spoke yesterday when he delivered a lecture at the Third Toyin Falola International Conference on Africa and the African Diaspora (TOFAC 2013). It was held at the Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, Oyo State.
The don noted that identity is critical to every human being, adding that a lot has changed in the last 100 years, which is responsible for the identity crisis.
Bewaji said human beings, societies, cultures and civilisation are shaped by the past and the present. Said he: “Religion has been used to replace our notion of God. It has left us with the ancestors of Jews. How can the ancestors of Jews leave the Jews to favour us?
“We are so blessed; this is why we are foolish. A civilised society must have a sense of belonging. There is a sense in which sameness may apply to one. Africans are in awe of the whites in terms of religion.”
Bewaji, who centred his lecture on identity, memory, memorials and development, noted that memory for human beings is critical, adding that it is to an individual what memorials are to societies.
He said: “Our sense of memory is now problematic.”
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adetutu Ahigbe-Adeyemi, stressed the need for Africans to show commitment to the promotion of the African culture.
He said the rich African culture faced extinction if stakeholders did not promote African values.
The governor urged TOFAC to set an agenda for the promotion of the Yoruba culture.
He said: “I am happy about the idea and the personalities behind this programme.
“I am expectant that the conference will offer recommendations and suggestions that will be beneficial to Oyo State and the nation.”
The convener of TOFAC 2013, Prof. Ademola Dasylva, said the forum engaged the minds in matters of concern on Africa and Africans in the diaspora.
He added: “The objectives are promotion of excellence in Africa and the African diaspora cultural studies. We create awareness and proffer a solution on matters concerning Africa.
“TOFAC is designed to go round African countries to engender a network of budding scholars and facilitate effective mentorship, global exposure and visibility.”
The Chancellor, Lead City University, Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola, said the conference was named in honour of Prof. Toyin Falola under the auspices of the Ibadan Cultural Group, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan (UI), in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of African values.
The high point of the occasion was the formal transfer of the TOFAC plaque to LCU by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Ahigbe-Adeyemi.
Those honoured with the TOFAC award were Dr. Doyin Aguoru from the University of Ilorin; Dr. Ayo Owolabi, LCU; Dr. Abimbola Asojo, University of Minnesota; and Dr. Olufadekemi Adagbada, Olabisi Onabanjo University.
