Monday, October 14, 2013

USA Africa Dialogue Series - IN HONOR OF PROFESSOR FALOLA'S 60th BIRTHDAY

Indeed, as one of the "doyens" of African studies in our great state of North
Carolina, it was a real privilege to have attended the 60th birthday celebration
of Brother Toyin at UNC-Wilmington. I am delighted to report to the USA/Africa
dialogue family that the conference was very refreshing—not to mention the great
meals. Indeed, for those of you who were unable to make it and love good food,
you missed out on some of Wilmington's "gastronomic triumphs" that were served
as part of the celebration. Intellectually, the meeting was very stimulating.
Scholars unveiled their intellect in the papers presented to our delight.

One of the highlights of the conference was the evening banquet and the
presentation of a volume in honor on Toyin's birthday. Following a splendid
recitation of a summary of his impressive works and accomplishments, he
delivered a resounding challenge to participants that pricked my conscience
profoundly. He pleaded with us, among other factors, to fight corruption and
poverty—two major causes of underdevelopment in many of our societies.

You see, we (as scholars and others) have told the truth in reports and forums
about the issues of corruption and poverty—we have written books on these vices
in our societies—but we have not gone beyond these noble attempts—at least
adequately. If Africa is to claim the 21st century as her own, we must shift our
emphasis from the tautology of constantly pointing out these maladies in our
polities to joining crusades to tackle the problems. Folks, this was an
important message and charge that I came away with at this special celebration
of Toyin's 60th birthday. I hope and pray that members of this family and
friends of Africa will join him and others to fight the preceding problems in
our communities and countries. In my opinion, we must write less, talk less and
act more!

Congrats and thanks a million for your contributions to African studies and
development. May you live for another 60 years!

Ike Udogu

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