Xenophobia Threatening African Unity – Varsity Dons

Egg heads from the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State and civil society organisations (CSOs) at the global Africa Day Summit under the aegis of the Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI) have expressed concerns over deep division and political disharmony impinging on growth and development of the continent.

The conferees including key resource persons mostly from the academia, regretted the infiltration of neocolonialism influence in the continent long after independence across the 54 African countries, noting that such alliances have delineated Africa from harnessing her rich potentialities for self actualization.

The forum condemned in strong terms, the perennial xenophobic attacks in South Africa and neighbouring Ghana, against fellow black Africans including Nigerians, thereby rubbishing the ‘Ubuntu’ values that bind the continent together.

Wondering why Africans should need visa and other immigration documents to travel to sister countries in Africa, the resource persons of goods, services and human resources noted that such restrictions have become antithetical to the growth and development of the continent and called for the relaxation of impositions for ease of doing business as such protocols were not impose in American nations.

Besides, the scholars expressed worry over the recent acerbic remarks by the President of Kenya, William Ruto, who allegedly debased Nigerians as worst speakers of English language, noting that such disposition has given Kenya out as the promoters of colonial value, rather than African cultures, traditions and social norms long after securing independence.

Addressing the forum, TPADI president, Prof. Effiong Udoh, at a press conference to mark this year’s Africa Day, explained that the event aimed at reawakening Nigeria’s leadership capacity and historical mission for a strong, virile and prosperous Africa.

Udoh, recalled that Nigeria has always stood as pillar of liberation and solidarity from anti-apartheid struggles to peacekeeping efforts and regional diplomacy, and has consistently defended the African cause, adding that recognizing Africa Day officially would therefore not be an act of charity.

He, therefore, advocated for every 25th of May to be recognised and observed as a national holiday as had been declared by other countries including South Africa, Zambia, Mali, Namibia and Lesotho.

“Countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mali, Guinea, and Lesotho already formally recognised Africa Day because they understand the importance of symbols in nation-building and continental identity.

“Nigeria should not remain absent from this historic responsibility. We therefore renew our appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to:Officially declare May 25 as Africa Day and recognize it as a National Public Holiday.” Udoh, said.

Also, he called for the integration of Pan-African Studies and African History more intentionally into educational curricula and support to national Africa Day festivals, lectures, exhibitions, and cultural activities as well as promotion of the indigenous African Languages and cultural heritages.

“We also encourage public institutions and media organisations to advance Pan-African consciousness, lead continental conversations against xenophobia, Afro-phobia, and anti-African hostility.

“CSOs, universities, youth groups, traditional institutions, artists, media practitioners, religious communities, and the African diaspora should join this campaign,” he stressed.

TPADI in collaboration with the World Council on Pan-Africanism and the University of Abomey-Calavi, in Benin Republic, he stated, would convene the 2nd- Biennial International Dialogue in Pan Africanism next month at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, which is expected to seek to move Pan-Africanism beyond rhetoric into practical transformation.

He lauded the launch of the proposed $500 million Scholarship Fund to represent a bold commitment toward expanding educational opportunities for African youths and advancing knowledge production on the continent.