Politics
PAUL University, Awka, Anambra says its round table on national discourse will empower young scholars to strengthen democratic principles and its sustainability in Africa.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Obiora Nwosu, said this on Friday in Awka.
Nwosu said the topics titled “The Resurgence of Military Intervention in African Politics: Causes and Challenges for African Development” and “The Dialectics of Democracy Backsliding and the Future of African Development,” were apt.
He urged the discussants to deal with the topics which bordered on national and African polity professionally.
According to him, the discussants are expected to proffer visible solutions to the identified challenges with simple goal of accomplishing a better society and a brighter future for younger generations.
Speaking, Prof. Godwin Onu, Convener of the round table, explained that the programme aimed to encourage young scholars to address African issues.
Onu, who is also the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies of the university, said the programme expected young scholars to contribute towards strengthening democratic principles and its sustainability in Africa.
He said the university was collaborating with Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA) Lagos, and Adekunle Ajasin University Akingba, Akoko, Ondo state to address pressing issues facing the African continent.
He added that a panel of experts and scholars from different institutions were gathered to provide a platform for in-depth analysis and meaningful dialogue on issues facing Africa and possibly proffer solutions .
According to him, Nigerian democracy has a promising start but faced setbacks due to issues with operators who had different mindsets and ideologies towards the democracy.
Chairman of the event, Prof Charles Obiorah , of Department of Political Science , Anambra State University Igbariam, commended the organisers of the round table for a brilliant packaging.
Dr. Kester Onor, a resource person from NIIA, said that imperialism, sit tight syndrome , power elongation, insecurity, corruption, high level of resentment, insurgency among others were reasons for military coup in Africa.
The Legal Adviser of the university, Prof Carol Arinze-Umeobi said that issues such as human rights abuses, disruption of democratic processes could aid military interventions.
Meanwhile, some speakers agreed that strengthening democratic institutions, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms were steps toward safeguarding and advancing democracy in Africa. (NAN)
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September 23, 2023 @ 9:10 GMT|
Tags: Prof Charles Obiorah Prof. Godwin Onu Prof. Obiora Nwosu
