The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), in conjunction with The Centre for Pan-African and Peace Studies (CePAPS) organized a ceremony to Commemorate African Day on the institution’s campus.
The ceremony was held on the 23rd of May 2023 in Abuja to promote and showcase the continent’s rich heritage and its potential for growth in the world.
The event which was streamed virtually took place at the university’s campus in Abuja and and it attracted over 200 participants from diverse backgrounds, including esteemed guests, scholars, students and experts.
The University’s Acting President, Prof. Onwualu, welcomed all invited guests and expressed sincere gratitude for their presence and active engagement during the Africa Day event.
He laid emphasis to the Africa’s rich heritage and its significance as a beacon of great civilization among other continents of the world.
He highlighted AUST’s impact in upholding the significance of the continent with its staff strength and students comprising of students from different nations of the continent.
Similarly, while addressing the gathering, Prof. Chudi Uwazurike, Director of CePAPS, also affirmed the the center’s commitment and passion in contributing to the growth and development of the African continent in accordance to the African Union’s 2063 agenda.
He reiterated the need for collective intellectual and practical dedication to realize Africa’s potential as one of the world’s largest economic blocs
The event featured captivating lectures by distinguished speakers. Nmadili Okwudili, Founder/Director of the Community Planning & Design Initiative Africa (CPDI Africa), delivered an insightful lecture titled “Afrocentric Architecture Defined: Developing Landscapes for Nigeria Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond.” Okwudili passionately advocated for the promotion of Afrocentric designs in Nigerian cities and national monuments, encouraging a departure from the prevalent Eurocentric styles.
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a renowned public sector turnaround expert and columnist, delivered an enlightening lecture titled “The Future of Africa and Nigeria’s Leadership Role.” Dr. Peterside expressed concern over Nigeria’s decline in continental leadership and identified key factors such as weak democratic institutions, corruption, economic underdevelopment, and ethnic divisions. He called for Nigeria to harness its latent resources, develop its hidden qualities, and redefine its position to regain continental leadership and global influence.
The Africa Day Celebration at AUST served as a platform for stimulating intellectual discourse and the exchange of ideas on critical issues facing the African continent. It showcased the university’s unwavering dedication to fostering pan-African development through knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts.