By Martin Paul Abuja
Two visiting professors to the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) have called on African students to shun corruption, social irresponsibility as well as reduce dependence on the government and stimulate a generation that will redefi ne governance in the continent. Professor Z. O. Ogunnika from Virginia State University (USA), and Professor K. K. Kamaldeen, the Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Sudan, were guest lecturers at the 8th International Students’ Day and Public Lecture, organised by the Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Ilorin.
Accoding to UniLorin news bulletin, Ogunnika, who spoke on “Intellectual and Community Development: Th e Nigerian Case”, explained that an intellectual was not someone with the book knowledge alone, but someone who has or is willing to contribute to positive change in the society. Someone who is looking at the future and already thinking of ways to actualise the vision that will develop the nation or community he is in.” “Th e Virginia varsity don stated that the genesis of Nigeria’s problems began with the previous leaders who drove away the colonialists from the country. “It was from one master to the other. “Th ey believed they were the owners of knowledge and used their power to enslave other Nigerians and acquired properties. Nigerians and Africans in general started seeing relative deprivation when our people started ruling us.” Also in his own lecture, entitled: “Oh, Waiting for Africa”, Kamaldeen stated that for Africa to develop, goals need to be clearly defi ned, adding that “achieving progress in Africa is highly doable, but we need to start by applying ourselves to it. We have to go beyond technical construct and fi gure out action plans to realise our goals.”
