The President of The Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), Dr. Effiong Joseph Udo, has disclosed the plan of the institute to sponsor a bill on the celebration of International African Day in Nigeria.
This is even as he said the institute will also push for Africanism to be added in the curriculum, saying it is long overdue to include it so as to capture them young.
Udo who disclosed this during a briefing on the forthcoming International Conference on Dialogue and Pan Africanism convened to celebrate the 2024 International Africa Day and Unveiling of TPADI at the University of Uyo, Nigeria, said Nigeria as a the giant of Africa must be ready to champion the course.
He said many Africans and their leaders have lukewarm attitude towards Pan Africanism, and many African countries, including Nigeria, do not even remember to mark International Africa Day.
While noting that African Union adopted May 25 every year as a day to celebrate Africa and highlight the continents continued struggle against neocolonialism, exploitation and adversity, he said surprisingly, since the declaration, only nine African countries of Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are known to observe the day as public holiday with celebrations.
“The other 46 countries, including Nigeria are less aware of this very important day. In this regard, TPADI makes it possible for Nigeria to celebrate Africa Day, the first time ever,” he said.
He disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is to chair the unveiling of the institution, while Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Ndaeyo are hosts.
According to him, TPADI is a network of academics, professionals, civil society and grassroot leaders in different fields of life, within Africa and the diaspora, who are motivated by the best principles of Pan Africanism to serve the continent and its people worldwide.
While noting that the Institute is established to pursue the decolonisation of the mind through education, policy analysis, policy building and advocacy around multi-faceted issues within the threshold of Pan-African principles, he said, “We are seeking to reverse the mentality that Africans are not capable of helping themselves and solving their problems.”
“We want to reverse that culture of dependency on external assistance that unfortunately still prevails on the continent. If people become too reliant on getting their support, their nourishment and their safety from outside sources, they do not strive to find the power within themselves to rely on their own capacities,” he said.
Meanwhile Professor P.L.O Lumumba, Her Excellency, Former Vice President of Gambia, Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, and Vice President of Colombia, Her Excellency, Francia Marguez, among other dignitaries are expected at the event.
