The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola on Monday led other lecturers of the institution to participates at the Second Intellectual Fiesta on Africa';s Development.

The programme which was organized by the three intellectual arms of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), the Centre for Human Security and Development (CHSD) as primary host; the UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) and the Africa Progress Group (APG) was  with the theme “Emerging Developments in Europe and North America: Lessons for Human Security in Africa.”

The Sub-themes for the programme covered “human security in Africa” include Education; Health; Food and Nutrition Security; Politics, Partnerships, and Good Governance; Youth Development and Employment; Environmental Sustainability; Science and Technology Development; Peace and Security; and Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The objectives of the series of Fiestas are; to conduct analytic reflections on topical issues affecting Africa’s development, and to make practicable and sustainable recommendations for catalysing development in the region especially within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa Union’s Agenda 2063.

Meanwhile, the Vice-chancellor Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola led three lecturers of the institution to the programme which includes Dr Babatunde Agbi, Dr Mrs Lydia Chineyemba and Mr Sunday Alaye for the Discourse.

Former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who was the special guest of the event noted in his opening remarks that the world had become a global village with interdependence consequences.

He urged African countries to take keen interest in developments in Europe and North- America but warned against that the region copying or following them sheepishly. We to study the trends take those things that could be beneficial to us.

Also, at the event, it was stressed out that the need for Africa to carefully study global trends with a view to learning and positioning the region at an enviable height.

However, Professor Babalola being the only Vice Chancellor for the discourse spoke on the role of academia on curbing insecurity in Nigeria highlighting the need to curb drug abuse and other vices while each of the lecturers from Chrisland University also contributed effectively to the dialogue.

At the end of the dialogue, a communique was issued, part of which include: That recent developments in Europe and North- America, particularly in education, health, politics, economy and culture had ongoing and potential impact on Africa’s development; Africa must take a cue from Europe and North- America where huge investment was being committed to education considered as a potent pathway of improving human security. Such investment, among other benefits, will ultimately contribute to reducing terrorism and violent extremism in Africa; Africa should initiate and improve on policies which place emphasis on youth development and employment; Africa should stop putting the responsibilities of its challenges on the colonialists and among others.

It was recommended that Africa should stop paying lip service to the concept of self reliance but should take practical steps to ensuring self reliance in food and nutrition by engaging and encouraging interested citizens in agribusiness

The event was enlivened by the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Akin Mabogunje, Prof Peter Okebukola, the Vice-chancellor Professor Mrs Chinedum Peace Babalola, Dr Babatunde Agbi, Dr Mrs Lydia Chineyemba, Mr Sunday Alaye, past ambassadors, representatives of various paramilitary and regulatory bodies, academia and stakeholders among others.