The Executive Secretary of Centre for Research and Documentation on African Traditions and Languages (CERDOTOLA), Professor Charles Binam Bikoi, has congratulated President Felix- Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on his election as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2021.

Professor Binam Bikoi, on Tuesday, sent his congratulatory message to the newly elected AU chairperson, urging him to prioritise African traditions and heritage to fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

He disclosed that the Union should encourage African countries to utilize the continent prowess in producing African-made-COVID-19 vaccine in order to tackle the virus spike.

“There is need for African leaders to identify the place of African Traditional Medicine in the wake of COVID-19 and knowledge in the history.

 “Africa as a continent is blessed with traditional medicines that could heal quite number of viruses that may surge.

“African made vaccine will not only be peculiar to the continent, but make us divert our funds to strengthening our economy, improving our health sectors and protecting our traditional values,” he stated.   

Binam Bikoi, in his statement, assured CERDOTOLA’s supports to the new administration of AU, stressing that the organisation will not hesitate to make itself available whenever it is called upon.  

He as well urged African leaders to put in more efforts in intensifying researches on African vaccine, and upholding African integrity.

It is worthy of note that CERDOTOLA is recognised as one of the leading organizations in charge of culture, safeguarding and promoting African traditions and heritage.

Under the leadership of the renowned Professor Charles Binam Bikoi, the organisation has tremendously contributed to the development of African traditions and heritage through its programmes and activities.

As part of its efforts to promote African culture, the organization has over the years gathered necessary data and information on languages spoken in the Central Africa and ultimately produced a linguistic atlas for countries in the region. This singular act has ensued availability of data and information on African languages in the Central Africa which will go a long way in preserving those languages.