Participants highlighted ways African culture and traditional systems of governance could benefit contemporary democratic practice in Africa at the 2023 annual lecture of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), held at the University of Ibadan, SEGUN KASALI reports:
EXPLORING the interconnectedness of culture, security and Democracy’s future in Nigeria was critically examined at the 2023 Annual Lecture of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).
The lecture titled ‘Culture, Security and Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa’ was delivered by Professor Sola Olorunyomi of the Department of English, University of Ibadan.
In her welcome address at the occasion attended by eminent academics, including UI’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, CBAAC’s Director General, Honourable Olubunmi Amao, noted the importance of interrogating democracy’s future in Africa.
She lamented that democracy’s journey in Africa has been torturous. While there was progress some decades ago, the gains are eroding quickly due to insecurity.
Amao, who said that conflict and insecurity have marred Africa’s democratic journey, explained that it’s a sad departure from the African Union’s aspiration for peace. It also rubbishes the designation of the year 2020 as the year for “silencing the guns” and the deadline for achieving the end to violent conflicts, prevention of genocide, gender-based violence, and all wars in the region.
She expressed regret that the guns are far from being silenced and that the general fallout of this phenomenon is that many Africans are increasingly losing faith in democracy and democratic governance as a means of guaranteeing improvement in the human condition.
Amao pointed out this is evident in the jubilations that have greeted recent coups in some African countries, especially West Africa.
“The general fallout of this phenomenon is that many Africans are increasingly losing faith in democracy and democratic governance as a means of guaranteeing improvement in the human condition on the African continent. This is reflected in the general jubilations that have greeted the recent coups in some African countries, especially the West African region,” she said.
“Bearing this in mind, it is essential to interrogate the future of democracy within the African region. What does democracy hold for Africa? What is the future of democratic rule in Africa in the face of heightened insecurity? In what ways can the African culture and traditional African system of government benefit contemporary democratic practice in Africa?
She thanked the UI Vice Chancellor for the fruitful partnership between CBAAC and the University through the Institute of African Studies.
She added that the current management is determined to deepen cooperation between the Centre and the University to attain shared goals and objectives.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, said Sub-Saharan Africa, rich in cultural diversity and historical heritage, has undergone significant transformations in recent years.
Adebowale, represented by Dr Seun Olutayo, described the region as one marked by many challenges but also one of incredible resilience, optimism and potential. He added that the interplay of culture, security, and democracy in a data context is paramount as it shapes the course of nations and people’s destinies.
“The subject of our discussion is both timely and pressing. Sub-Saharan Africa, a region rich in cultural diversity and historical heritage, has undergone significant transformations in recent years.
“It is a region marked by many challenges but also one of incredible resilience, optimism and potential. The interplay of culture, security and democracy in a data context is paramount as it shapes the course of nations and people’s destiny.
“As a university, we take pride in being a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment. We must foster critical thinking and open discourse to encourage research and promote a greater understanding of the complex interplay among culture, security and Democracy. We are committed to being a hub of knowledge and a catalyst for positive change.
“Remember that the Sub-Saharan is not just a region of challenges. It is a region of boundless potential.
“By understanding the role of culture, addressing security concerns and nurturing democracy, we can work towards a future where the people of Sub-Saharan Africa enjoy peace, prosperity, and the full realization of the democratic aspirations,” Professor Adebowale stated.
Dr Ugo Aniga of the Department of Peace Studies and Conflicts Resolution, Ajayi Crowther University, said Africans can only achieve democracy when their leaders jettison foreign aid.
Aniga said the future of Africa’s democracy depends on the operations of its leaders with their Western counterparts.
He said Africans must learn to confront challenges and proffer solutions independently without Western influence or foreign aid.
“The only way to achieve full democracy is to run away from foreign aid; we learn to confront our problems and proffer African solutions. Africa’s most significant problem is Neo-colonialism, and we must be conscious of the fact that democracy cannot triumph where there is neo-colonialism, injustice and bad government.
“African government must also note that insecurity cannot be curbed when the masses are hungry,” Aniga said.
For the guest lecturer, Africans must uphold indigenous languages to achieve continental development.
Olorunyomi said Africans must stop playing dumb on the issue of promoting their languages, which could be considered a vital aspect of culture capable of enhancing knowledge in individuals.
“Being able to speak our local languages will help in accessing great education from technical knowledge to scientific information to the lowest impulses,” he said
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