THE country is at present studying the feasibility of the establishment of an appropriate institute for the preservation of Black and African Culture. His Excellency Prof. Michael Omolewa, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, made this revelation at a general debate of the global body recently in Jerusalem .
Omolewa thanked all those who supported the Nigerian, Heart of Africa project during UNESCO's session in Paris, but "would like to draw attention to the 30th anniversary of FESTAC 77, the First Black and African Cultural Festival which took place in Nigeria in 1977. FESTAC brought together Black and African artistes, writers, musicians, dancers and intellectuals to a unique festival, celebration and literary colloquium.
Participants came from all over the world, from the Black and African Diaspora in addition to participants from the African continent itself. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this important cultural manifestation, Nigeria is studying the feasibility of the establishment of an appropriate institute for the preservation of Black and African Culture.
In this context, I will mention briefly the offer to Nigeria of the entire life work of Prof. Ulli Beier, a German Africanist, a man of culture and letters and of great international repute, who has spent most of his life in Africa particularly in Nigeria and also in the Oceania . The envisaged cultural preservation institute is being considered as a fitting place for this invaluable cultural and intellectual treasure.
We hope to undertake this enterprise in close cooperation with UNESCO. The UNESCO Ambassador said Nigeria is also closely studying the proposals we have before us on the likely fate and the future of our Science Major Programmes: MPll and MPlll. The Social and Human Sciences must be maintained as a separate sector in order to fulfill its crucial role of providing reliable data for evidence based research for appropriate policy advice and development especially in the developing countries.
However, Nigeria strongly supports interdisciplinary approach in every aspect of the work of UNESCO but this must not be taken to mean fusion of the two science section but rather keeping them separate, each fulfilling its specific mandate while maintaining intimate collaboration for mutual benefits.
"Mr. Chairman and dear Colleagues, our Medium Term Strategy - period takes us close to an important time-post in the Millennium Development Goals set by the international community. Our 34CJ/ must therefore cover essentially our responsibilities and our aspirations in the attainment of the MDGs.
We welcome the improvements to the document and its general thrust. We however look forward to its fine-tuning at this session of the Board in order to take on-board necessary ameliorations that are being signaled eloquently during this debate; among them is the better reflection of our priorities, especially concerning Africa, the E9 countries, the small island developing states, the vulnerable groups and the need to accord the necessary importance to the question of Science Education at every level of the educational system an issue of primordial importance to education relevant for development in the world of today and future”
Omolewa noted the very important cooperation between Nigeria and UNESCO for the reform of Nigeria 's Science, Technology and Innovation Systems. This according to him "has already led to the decision taken by my President to create a $5billion Science Endowment Fund for the establishment of a National Science Foundation. The plans include, among others, the provision of incentive measures to six Universities to elevate them to high-ranking centres of excellence and also the creation of Technology-based good business zones in each State of the Federation.
This is a project whose effect will go beyond Nigeria as it will, as it develops, spread to cover institutions and students and scientists from other African countries and beyond.
"It is in the context of this cooperation and the importance of creating sound foundation for the growth of Science in Nigeria that we have sought to involve an ever growing public in the spread of scientific education and knowledge, in the general dissemination of science and in the inculcating of a scientific orientation in the public at large. Hence the involvement of Nigerian Parliamentarians who visited UNESCO last year and the memorable visit of three major Nigerian monarchs to the Headquarters, last month, to discuss Nigeria's cooperation with UNESCO in the field of Science. We thank the Director-General for his interest in this important project. |
