Oyinlola Tasks African Leaders On Development Agenda

FORMER governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has urged leaders in Africa to utilise the resources in their respective countries to enhance the development of the people.

Oyinlola noted that the African continent is blessed with vast human and material resources to lift Africa and save her people from destruction, poverty, under-development, corruption and starvation.

Delivering a speech at the maiden distinguished lecture of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) held at the Osun State University, Osogbo, he noted that African leaders must wake up to their responsibilities by ensuring they devote their energy and time to raise the stake of African development portfolio.

Oyinlola, who is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the centre observed that harsh economic conditions persist in developing world due to several factors including hunger, insecurity, illiteracy, corruption and other vices with adverse consequences on general growth.

He said the problems could be best solved by Africans themselves because according to him, no foreign power could be committed to proffering solution “to our problems than all of us.”

The CBCIU chairman also noted the danger inequality poses to the development of mankind, stressing that a conscious effort should be made to bridge the gap between the haves and have nots in order to engender global peace.

In his welcome address, Executive Director of the centre, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa noted the lecture was part of the mission of the centre, adding that the board would partner UNIOSUN to ensure realisation of its objectives.

Ologunori underscored the important role Oyinlola played in the establishment of the centre, describing him as a man who showed great zeal in promotion of Black culture and civilizasion.

The lecture entitled, “Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the African Agenda for Development in the age of Globalization” was delivered by erudite scholar and researcher, Prof Justus Dejo Olowu from North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa.