CBAAC organises 2023 Lecture on Culture, Security and Democratric Future in Africa

Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) has organised a Public Lecture on ‘Culture, Security and The Future of Democracy in Nigeria’, at the University of Ibadan on Tuesday.

In her welcome address, The Centre’s Director-General Hon. Olubunmi Amao has stated that it is important to interrogate the future of democracy within african region.

Amao explained that the democratic journey on the African continent has been quite a torturous one, noting that while it could be said that progress has been made some decades ago, the democratic gains are fast being eroded largely on account of insecurity.

According to her, to state that Africa’s democratic journey has been marred by conflict and insecurity is to say the least.

She further explained that such is a sad departure from the African Union aspiration for peace on the continent and the subsequent designation of the year 2020 as the year for “silencing the Guns” and the deadline for achieving the end to violent conflicts, prevention of genocide, gender-based violence, civil wars, and all wars in the region.

The DG, however, expressed regret that the Guns are far from being silenced on the Continent, adding that the general fallout of this phenomenon is that many Africans are increasingly losing faith in Democracy and democratic governance as a means of guaranteeing improvement in the human condition on the African Continent.

Amao pointed out that it is evidently reflected in the general jubilations that has greeted the recent waves of coups in some countries in Africa, especially the West African region.

“Bearing this in mind, it is important to interrogate the future of Democracy within the African region. What does democracy holds for Africa? What is the Future of Democratic rule in Africa in the face of heightened insecurity? In what ways can the African Culture and traditional African system of government benefit contemporary democratic practice in Africa?

“Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the democratic journey on the African continent has been quite a torturous one. While it could be said that progress has been made some decades ago, the democratic gains are fast being eroded largely on account of insecurity.

“To state that Africa’s democratic journey has been marred by conflict and insecurity is to say the least.

“This is a sad departure from the African Union aspiration for peace on the continent and the subsequent designation of the year 2020 as the year for “silencing the Guns” and the deadline for achieving the end to violent conflicts, prevention of genocide, gender-based violence, civil wars, and all wars in the region.

“It is however regrettable to mention that the Guns are far from being silenced on the Continent.

“The general fallout of this phenomenon is that many Africans are increasingly losing faith in Democracy and democratic governance as a means of guaranteeing improvement in the human condition on the African Continent. This is evidently reflected in the general jubilations that has greeted the recent waves of coups in some countries in Africa, especially the West African region.” She said.

Meanwhile, The DG conveyed to the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan the special gratitude of the Management and Staff of the Agency for the fruitful partnership and cooperation between the Centre and the University, through the Institute of African Studies.

She said that the current management under leadership is determined to deepen the existing cooperation between the Centre and the University for the attainment of shared goals and objectives.