National Orientation Agency (NOA) director in Benue state, Mr, Idris Idoko, Tuesday, said whoever initiated the concept of “African time” is an enemy of Africa.
Idoko stated this in Makurdi the Benue state capital during the Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO) organised by the Nigeria Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) with the theme: ‘the African time syndrome: implication for national development’.
The NOA director lamented that African time was fast becoming a menace, adding that it was a dangerous concept which is now impairing progress, growth and development.
He said the Africa Time as it is today, justifies lateness to work and other events, noting that it also justifies delays in accomplishing assignments as well as tasks or jobs.”
He assured that NOA would collaborate with NICO to fight the menace for the betterment of the society, adding that there were problems in the country because people were unethical.
The executive secretary, NICO, Mr Ado Yahuza, lamented that the habit of indulging in lateness which was popularly known as African time was depriving the society of its desired development.
“This habit has often been treated lightly, but has continuously deprived our society of its deserved development.
“It has constantly led to missed opportunities, delayed progress, strained interpersonal relationships and hindered productivity which impedes on societal development.
“In essence, the repercussion of this indiscipline extends beyond individual habits to affect the collective well-being and efficiency of our society and therefore, demands our collective attention in the context of national development,” Yahuza said.
Meanwhile, the vice chancellor of Benue state University, Makurdi, Professor Joe Iorapuu, who was chairman of the occasion, commended NICO for bringing the topic of Africa time for discussion.
