Ini Billie, Uyo
Former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan is billed to chair the International Africa Day Celebration to be held on May 25.
The celebration which will be hosted by the Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), will be the first ever celebrated in Nigeria in commemoration of the continued struggle of Africa and Africans against neocolonialism, exploitation and adversity.
Speaking about the importance of the African Day celebration on Thursday in Uyo, the President of the Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), Dr Effiong Joseph Udo, said it was intended to awaken the consciousness of Africans and Nigerians on the need to love themselves and put an end to Western neo-colonialism.
Udo stated that an International Conference on ‘Dialogue and Pan Africanism’ will be convened between May 23 and 26, 2024 to celebrate the 2024 International Africa Day and the unveiling of TPADI.
He explained that the conference will be held in collaboration with the Centre for Deep Dialogue and Critical Thinking, Directorate of International Programmes and the 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 are needed for the development and prosperity of the African people without Western reliance or interference in its 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 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 the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency, Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, and Vice President of Colombia, Her Excellency, Francia Marguez, who had since indicated an 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.
“I expect 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.