Duke salutes African scholars at Falola Conference

July 4, 2012 by Agency Reporter 

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has commended scholars of African history and culture, saying they deserved to be honoured in different ways.

Duke hailed the scholars in Lagos on Monday, at the opening ceremony of the Second Toyin Falola International Conference organised by the Centre for African Arts and Civilisation.

At the event holding at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, which attracts scholars from different parts of the country and beyond, Duke noted the contributions that Prof. Falola had made to the advancement of scholarship, saying he was worthy of being emulated.

He said, “As an enduring legacy in honour of Prof. Falola, the distinguished scholar and teacher of Africa and African American History, this effort should be sustained to outlive him. It should be instituted for other people that continue to contribute to the growth and development of society.

The Director of Africana Studies, Centre for Global Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, Indiana University Purdue University , Indianapolis, Prof. House-Soremekun, Bessie, delivered a keynote address at the event. The Chief Executive Officer of CBAAC, Prof. Tunde Babawale, said its decision to support, organise and host the event in partnership with the Ibadan Cultural Studies was in recognition of Falola’s contributions not only to scholarship but also to humanity.

He said it was in the same spirit that other scholars such as Prof. Benjamin Oloruntimehin, Paul Zeleza and Michael Vickers were honoured at the event.

He said, “Significantly, cultures, identities and nationalities of the continent and its ever multiplying Diaspora are defined and redefined. Consequently, this conference with the theme, ‘Cultures, Identities, Nationalities and Modernity in Africa and Africa in the Diaspora is timely because it intends to create the avenue for scholars, researchers and students the opportunity to share their thoughts and views on these issues.”

The opening ceremony was by marked dramatic and musical performances, with Adeola Faleye and Ayanbinrin, among others, mounting the stage.