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The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Friday inaugurated the Richard Joseph Learning Centre to provide a new platform for pushing forward the agenda of Africa’s success.
NIIA’s Director-General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said at the event that African or international affairs would always have an intellectual and knowledge-driven foundation.
He also said that the centre would provide such knowledge.
Osaghae said that the centre was established inside NIIA’s library in Lagos State, in honour of Prof. Richard Joseph.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Joseph is one of the foremost political scientists, who focus on African governance, political economy and democratisation.
He is a John Evans Emeritus Professor of Northwestern University and an Honorary Fellow of New College, Oxford University.
According to Osaghae, Africa cannot move forward without intellectual exchanges.
He said that great ideas would have to come from crucibles such the Richard Joseph Learning Centre.
He highlighted Joseph’s dedication to Africa’s development and his belief in the continent’s potential for greatness.
“This legacy project is a platform for exchange of ideas and engagement in robust debates about development.
“Africa should not be where it is currently, but what do we do to make it get where it should be? The same is the case for Nigeria.
“The world now realises that very little can be achieved without Africa.
“It is never going to come to an end until Africa truly becomes great,” he said.
Osaghae said that Africa had every reason to hope, build and begin with new foundations.
He added that through the new platform, the agenda would be reset and contributions made to global debates.
Prof. Richard Joseph said at the event that the centre would be a place of strengthening of ideas and an institution with impact beyond Nigeria and the entire Africa.
“Everything that will be going forward in this institution is about manifesting, declaring and expanding values and principles including constitutional government and a concern for people who have nothing.
“It is up to us to move forward with what we know is really significant,” Joseph said.
According to him, the establishment of the centre shows determination and resilience over a number of years.
The centre, he said, also showed belief in Nigeria, adding that many citizens had been involved in the struggle for what Nigeria could and should be.
On hope for a better Africa, Joseph said he had no reason to doubt that current challenges on the continent would be overcome.
“I have seen and lived through many movements including the civil rights and anti-colonial movements.
“I have seen when democracy was threatened in Nigeria and the sacrifices we made to overcome.”
NAN reports that NIIA received 77 cartons of books and other publications from Joseph at the event.
Efforts are ongoing to secure grants for the centre’s sustainability. (NAN)
E.A
08 Feb, 2025
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