Speakers at the maiden International Conference organized by the Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, want Africans to rise above the tendency to blame colonial masters for the continent development woes.
The speakers opined that African countries would have progressed beyond their present pitiable state if they had right leadership.
The theme of the conference was “Africa at crossroads: Confronting Governance, Security and Development Challenges in the 21st Century”.
The Lead paper presenter, Dr Ogban Ogban-Iyam decried Africa’s over-dependence on colonial masters decades after they have gone away.
He blamed this over-dependence for the continent’s poor development trajectory.
“I have not seen any country ruled by colonialists that has become a major industrial power.
“You can talk about India. That is so because it has enjoyed a sustained leadership, not democracy.
“In party system, there are these periodic elections, and thus, the project started by one administration is rejected by its successor.
The Lead paper presenter categorically stated that democracy in most parts of the world is plutocracy at its best.
“I want to also openly tell you that we have no democracy in the world. There’s no country that is ruled by democracy.
“I stand to be challenged on this background. What you have around is a plutocracy at its best.
Equitable fair zoning or meritocracy
A former Publicity Secretary of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh, condemned the current approach to zoning.
Metuh who described zoning at practiced today as a disservice to certain segments of the country.
He called for a fair, equitable political zoning system in Nigeria describing what obtains currently
“Every day, we hear about zoning. Is zoning as presently considered is what we desire in this country?
“I am one of the people that believe that when you zone, you zone to merit.
“For instance, the president in 1999 was from the Southwest. The immediate past president was from the northwest.
Now, Southwest is ruling again. When the president completes his tenure, it then goes back to North most likely Northwest.
“If we are not going to go for merit, we have to zone properly where it will go round all the six geo-political zones of the country.
“We cannot continue with the North and South arrangement. I totally disagree with it.”
Metuh also made a strong case for the institutionalization of political parties in the country.
He said, “Institutionalizing political parties in Nigeria, will be the best for good governance, security, and development.
“Nigeria’s multi-party system has been plagued by particularities, ideological vacuity, and weak institutional structures.
“Party switching, or defection, some know it as political cross-capitalism, intra-party democracy, and lack of commitment to manifesto, are endemic.
“So, for Nigeria, building institutional parties is not merely desirable, it’s essential, it is our only hope.
VC’s disappointment
In a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi, described the theme of the conference as apt.
“The theme: African At Cross Roads: Confronting Governance, Security and Development Challenges in the 21st Century, is quite germane to the development challenges of African countries.
She expressed disappointment that decades after independence, most African countries still face challenges of underdevelopment, security challenges, armed conflicts within and between countries, among other challenges.
“Can we still hold the colonial masters justifiably responsible for this sad state of affairs in African countries?
“The big question that emerges is how the citizenry, who bear the ponderous yoke of underdevelopment can be conscientized to take their destinies in their own hands; to hold governments responsive and accountable.
The Head of Department, Political Science, Professor Jude Okafor, sadly noted that things have since gone bad for the continent known as the cradle of civilization.
“A recent study showed that the Continent is hugely/abundantly blessed with human and material resources.
“Yet, among the ten most underdeveloped and poverty-ridden countries in the world. Nine out of ten poor persons in the world are Africans.
Selfless leadership sacrosanct
The Chairman of the occasion and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, appreciated the department for organizing the event.
“I appreciate the fact that your focus going by the theme covers the entire Africa. This is an institution named after the Zik of Africa.
He said Nigeria and Africa need the selflessness of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and other nationalists to see the development of our dream.
The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr Ignatius Ngini, in his closing remarks, promised to make the package bigger and better subsequently.
“This is a maiden edition and we hope to make it an annual event. We will need all the support we can get to achieve.
“We hope for a better Nigeria, Africa where everyone is free to achieve their ambitions and aspirations without hindrances,” he concluded.
The occasion intermittently spiced with melodious songs by the Music Department of the institution, featured panel discussion and climaxed with presentation of awards to some eminent Nigerians.
