Stakeholders from Kenya, Nigeria, Sweden, UK and the US have agreed on need for human security policy at the national and regional levels.
They also submitted that “African governments should go beyond talk in the pursuit of the concept of self-reliance but take practical and sustainable steps to ensure self-reliance especially in food and nutrition security, through mobilising and incentivising citizens who are passionately interested in agribusiness.”
These formed parts of the resolutions reached at Second Intellectual Fiesta on Africa’s Development held by the Centre for Human Security of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in partnership with the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding and Africa Progress Group (APG) Secretariat, in Abeokuta, on Monday.
With the theme: “Emerging Developments in Europe and North America: Lessons for Human Security in Africa” the session, had former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Guest of Honour, participants and speakers who were stakeholders in the human security community from Kenya, Nigeria, Sweden, UK and the US noted recent developments in Europe and North America especially in education, environment, health, politics, economy, culture, science and technology which have ongoing and potential impact on Africa’s development.
The communique signed by the Director of the Centre, Prof. Peter Okebukola noted that “a key benefit of learning from others is that unless we know the world as it is and understand it, we cannot get as much as we want from the rest of the world.
“Of special note with regard to recent developments in Europe and North America are growing self-centrism- America-first, Brexit, growth of rightist movements in much of Europe, protectionism and dissolution of trade deals. Rebellions and anti-elite sentiments are happening around the world.
“African countries like Nigeria are socio-culturally complex but not complicated to rule. African leaders only have to be honest with themselves and with their citizens. One of our greatest problems in Africa is poor management of our diversity.”
Therefore, the session resolved with the following recommendations:
1.While Africa should watch these developments with keen interest, participants agreed that Africa should not copy or sheepishly follow the process in such socio-economic, political and cultural trends in Europe and North America.
2.Africa, it was observed has problems but it should stop putting the responsibilities of our challenges on the colonialists. The international community does not owe Africa respect but Africa has to earn the respect through defining for itself the type of development that is contextually beneficial to individual countries and the continent.
3.In Europe and North America, the quality of delivery of education is seen as a potent pathway of improving human security. Africa should learn lessons from such practice and improve investment in education especially in popular education and education that is relevant to the socio-cultural and economic development of the community. Such investment, among other benefits, will ultimately contribute to reducing terrorism and violent extremism in Africa.
4.African governments should go beyond talk in the pursuit of the concept of self-reliance but take practical and sustainable steps to ensure self-reliance especially in food and nutrition security, through mobilising and incentivising citizens who are passionately interested in agribusiness.
5.Africa does not seem to be paying due attention to the Trumpian phenomenon and its impact on the world order. Africa should closely watch the global impact of the Trumpian effect, setup an observatory for monitoring such impact and devise coping strategies.
6.Although we should feel concerned about issues relating to market economy and liberal democracy, Africa should define the form of governance that is contextually relevant to the African setting and not assume that what is working in Europe and North America will work for us. This calls for a rethinking of our political and governance systems.
7.There is a need for human security policy at the national and regional levels.
8.African countries should improve policies which place emphasis on youth development and employment.
9.Drug abuse especially among the youth was found to be a major hinderance to development in Africa. Lessons should be learned from the efforts of Europe and North America and more importantly develop local strategies for dealing with the challenge. Africa needs to have drug policies that work and take cognisance of victims from the health point of view and deal effectively with barons who escape justice.
10.To ensure development in a coherent manner, there is a need to harmonise the efforts of agencies involved in human security that currently operate in silos.
11.Recognising that implementation of good policies, programmes and plans is a hinderance to development in Africa, OOPL should be strengthened to serve as monitor of the implementation of such policies at the regional level.
