FROM: JOE EFFIONG, UYO
Nigeria’s former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has been selected to chair the maiden edition of the International Africa Day celebration scheduled for May 25.
The celebration to be hosted by The Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), is said to be the first ever edition in Nigeria to commemorate the continued struggle of Africa and Africans against neocolonialism, exploitation and adversity.
The President of (TPADI), Dr. Effiong Joseph Udo, while highlighting the importance of Africa Day celebration, said it was intended to awaken the consciousness of Africans and Nigerians on the need to love themselves and put an end to Western neocolonialism.
Udo stated that an International Conference on ‘Dialogue and Pan Africanism’ would be convened between May 23 and 26, 2024 to celebrate the 2024 International Africa Day and the unveiling of TPADI.
According to him, the conference will hold in collaboration with Centre for Deep Dialogue and Critical Thinking, Directorate of International Programmes and Faculties of Arts, Law, Social Sciences, and Communication and Media Studies of the University of Uyo.
The President expressed optimism that with the celebration and launch of the institute, Nigeria would join in keeping alive the intellectual dimension of Pan Africanism, and become a key player in the struggle for unity, human and environmental dignity, self-determination and cultural renaissance.
He stated that unity among other listed items above were needed for the development and prosperity of the African people without relying on western support or interference in their affairs.
“Our institute will be formally launched on that day in a grand ceremony at the University of Uyo with former President Goodluck Jonathan as the chairman of the occasion.
“Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Ndaeyo and hundreds of distinguished personalities from Nigeria and outside the country will be present.
“Gov. Umo Eno will lay the foundation for the International Headquarters of the Institute at the University. There will be speeches, fairs, cultural displays and other events on the Africa Day.
“We are expecting a host of dignitaries from across Nigeria and the globe, including the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Chairman of the Africa Day events, and the former Vice President of Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency, Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, and Vice President of Colombia, Her Excellency, Francia Marguez, who had since indicated interest in attending.
“In this regard, we are working with the Federal Government of Nigeria to actualize the coming of Her Excellency, the Colombian Vice President.
“We are also hopeful that the Akwa Ibom State Government ably led by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno will be happy to help facilitate the hosting of this global event in Uyo because of the attendance of so many international dignitaries.
“My expectation is that with the hosting of the international conference and the launch of the institute, Nigeria will not only join to keep alive the intellectual dimension of Pan Africanism, but also become a major player in championing the struggle for unity, human and environmental dignity, self-determination and cultural renaissance that are needed for the genuine development and prosperity of the African people worldwide,” he stated.