The Director General of
The Director General of the Institute, Dr. Bakut T.
Bakut made the call on Tuesday 26th November, 2019 in Abuja while
speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day Conference on
Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in Africa with the
theme, “Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in Africa: A
Cross-Disciplinary Perspective Towards African Development.”
The Director General explained that in recent
times, diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa
had been strained by incidences of violence perpetrated by
unscrupulous individuals adding that this development was
particularly disturbing given the role that each country plays in
its respective sub region and Africa as a whole as well as the
negative impacts such has on the socioeconomic and political
relations for both countries.
He said “apart from the challenges between Nigeria and
South Africa, many African countries have less than harmoniuos
relationship with their African brethren. We seem oblivious to our
shared history, travails and victories”
It was therefore important according to Dr.
Bakut for the people in the academia to ensure that history of
African value, tradition, and culture do not remain hidden under
whatever.
He also explained that it was important for the youth
to learn the concept of Ubuntu (a quality that includes the
essential human virtues, compassion, and humanity) and appreciate
that we all need one another to surmount our challenges and to
overcome the evils in our societies.
“It is also hoped that we will all carry these
sentiments back and spread them throughout our countries. It is
hoped that we will become more knowledgeable of the feats we have
accomplished, our prospects, and challenges that lie ahead through
this sharing of country experiences and history”, he said.
Also speaking the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said in view of the recent
happenings in Africa and in particular South Africa, it was
therefore incumbent on this gathering to interrogate what happened
and come up with practical solutions that would stop xenophobia in
the African continent.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by the secretary of
the Commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, noted that ethnic conflict,
weak economies, health crisis and fragile government hinder
sustainable development in Africa.
In his remarks, a delegate from the University
of South Africa (UNISA)/IDRA Prof. Olaotse John Kole appreciated
the IPCR for partnering with the South African to organize such
programme with a view to proffering solutions to some of the
challenges confronting Africa.
The Chairman of the occasion, President and founder,
Pan African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy (PAIGAS)
Abuja, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Amb. Martins Uhomoibhi, was optimistic that Africans have the
capacity to deal with challenges facing her; “We need to look
inward to know where our problems are coming from,’’ he said.