Saturday, October 12, 2024 7:13 pm
By Nehru Odeh
Professor Toyin Falola, Nigerian historian and distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas, Austin, United Sates has said Nigerian youths are more brilliant than his generation.
Falola made this statement while delivering the keynote at the African Association of Japanese Studies, AAJS, annual conference which held at Lead City University in Ibadan on Tuesday 9 October, 2024.
The theme of the conference, which celebrated the youths and was heavy on panel discussions and meeting of minds between Africa and Japan as well as the promotion of relations, was: “Africa and Japan in Quest for a New World Order.”
Africa and Japan in quest of a new world order? Sure. And Dr Doyin Aguoru, founder and President of the African Association of Japanese Studies summed it up when he said: “This title is in line with the deep commitment of the African Association of Japanese Studies to strategically campaign for trans-cultural exchange between Japan and Africa. AAJS, the shortened form of the name of the association strives to bridge the cultural and intellectual divide, enabling both nations to learn from each other’s unique experiences in recognition of the importance of collaboration for mutual growth and understanding in this age of globalization.” .
Guests at the three-day conference which held between 8 and 10 October included the Deputy Head of Mission, Japan to Nigeria, Mr Kozaki Hitoshi; who also chaired the occasion; Ms Shimada Mami, Second Secretary, Culture & Information/General/ Protocol Section, Embassy of Japan in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Professor Jide Owoeye, Chairman Governing Councl, Lead City University; Pofessor Kabir Adeyemo;, Vice Chancellor, Lead City University; and Dr Oyebola Ayeni, Registrar, Lead City University.
Students from Lead City International School and Bodija International College were also at the event. While Ms Deborah Adejobi, Head of Marketing, Lead City University, anchored the event.
While delivering his intellectually-stimulating and profound keynote via Zoom, Falola was unequivocal when he said Nigerian youths are not only smarter and brilliant than his generation but also represent one of the biggest advantages of Africa in global trade and politics because of their sheer population size as well as the skills, talents and brilliance they showcase.
“This youthful population are far more brilliant than members of my generation,” Falola averred. “I’m sure people in their seventies will be surprised that I am saying this. Because they don’t tend to think that these young people are brilliant. They are far more brilliant than members of my generation. When I was at Ife in the seventies, there were no internet , no social media, you cannot access any book from your computer.
“The students you are looking at in this room, some of them in high school, are far more savvy than members of my generation. And they can access information very quickly, very rapidly. They can fact-check me within one minute and know that I am not telling the truth.”
Falola also said the youths are major assets to any country in the world and the courses that are being produced in Lead City and other universities are geared towards making them very relevant and hotcakes as far as employment opportunities are concerned across the globe..
The distinguished Professor harped on the fact that the skills and talents of the youth in Africa are what the Japanese government can explore and realize in a globalized world.
“Somebody from Lead City University can go to Japan to work in engineering and IT departments. And these kids are very good in coding. Microsoft hires from the Silicon Valley in Yaba. Google hires from there. You can get certification in Ibadan and work in Seattle. You can now go to Lead City, get your certification in programming, in coding, You can now go to school in Lead City, get your certification in programming, in coding and from Ibadan, you can be earning in Japanese currency and in dollar. So, these are opportunities for young men and women today. And all these demographics favour us. This is what Japan and Africa can work together to realize,” he said.
Falola stressed that both Africa and Japan have a lot to gain from each other in terms of comparative advantages; and this, according to him has to do with interest.
“The take away is always of interest. You cannot have any collaboration or associations without talking about interest. What does Africa want? Development, transformation, respect, dignity, a non-violent approach in international politics. Contrary to what people are thinking or tend to think, African governments and their people have not said they want free things.
They are saying “increase the percentage of trade, allow a level playing field,” so that those who produce can continue to buy. If they buy product from one country, the other country can buy products from them. The emphasis has been on trade and trade and trade and not on gifts. And what Africans can contribute is enormous. .
Falola maintained that Africa has a lot to gain from Japan in the areas of culture, technology and trade, adding that Japan has always been given to promoting world peace, as they never colonized any country. Neither do they want to impose their religion and worldview on others.
“Japan is not looking for a religious domination of Africa. They are not sending missionaries to say don’t be Christians don’t be Muslims. Japan is not saying drop your religion. And Japan is not imposing their religion on us. So the advantages are so many and we are dealing with paradigms of equality and egalitarianism. So, Japan is saying, “let’s promote global peace.”
“In its approach Japan is using the concept of soft power. Soft power means you are not threatening people with nuclear bombs and you are not threatening them with drones. They are just saying let us use cultures to engage. And I have listened to some of these panels and indeed some of their contributions on the use of culture for exchanges, for dialogue because we have a lot to learn from Japan.”
Falola was also full of praise for Aguoru, whose efficiency and competence he said are legacies she inherited from Professor Jide Owoeye. Chairman Governing Council, Lead City University, who was her teacher, “Like a mustard seed, the small tree that produces a tree, the interest in Japanese studies by Dr Aguoru began when she undertook to study Japanese literature and do a comparative analysis. And from this PhD study, her interests has grown in a phenomenal manner in terms of developing the literature. I had the opportunity to read her writings on Japanese literature and I have learnt so much from her scholarship, ” Falola maintained.
Dr Aguoru, for her part spoke on what the conference aimed to achieve by fostering relations between Africa and Japan and the mutual benefits both regions stand to gain as well as their role in shaping a new global order.
She also said by promoting Japanese studies in Africa, AAJS strives to create a platform for researchers who are interested in Japanese studies in Africa, provide an enabling platform for developing interest in Japanese studies in Nigeria and further international understanding and relations through in-depth examination of Japanese studies.
“We gather today at Lead City University, a fitting location for this crucial conversation, as we explore the dimensions of a new global landscape and examine the strategic positioning of both Africa and Japan in shaping this order. This conference brings us together to explore the strategic roles Africa and Japan continue to play in shaping a new global reality especially post-Covid, having fostered Japanese studies in Africa across disciplines methodologies and knowledge production among other things in conferences.
“The African Association of Japanese Studies has taken it upon itself to address the elephant in the room, the question of a new world order and the youth’s quest for identity in it. Considering the interest of the association in relation to Japan, it is hoped that this theme will help participants understand how the dots connect and how popular arts, specifically animie and Nigerian Afro pop could be used to understand the place of youths within the new global order.
Aguoru also emphasized the importance of meeting the youths on their own turf, given their enormous size and the role they play in shaping the new world order
“Society has variously attempted to goad and compel the youth to listen and conform. But perhaps it is time for society to listen to the youth, especially as nations of the world chart their course to orientate directly with the new world order. This endeavour is necessitated more than anything by the fact that Africa is rated the youngest continent in the world, with the median average of approximately 19 years , with more than 60 per cent of Africa’s population under 25.
“So, you can see that it is indeed the youngest continent. Years ago, the Afro juju maestro Shina Peters sang in Yoruba, and if translated means “This is the time of the youths.” He was right then. But perhaps even more now when it is not merely the time of the youth but it is their country and their continent. And the afore stated data proves it.
“Therefore, recognizing the importance of meeting the youths on their turf in this conference is aimed at currying them while carrying them along, speaking to them in the language they understand, not with guns or brute force but with conceptualized and globally focused sharing and negotiating trans-cultural exchange between Africa and Japan in the new world order,” Aguoru stated.
The Vice Chancellor, Lead City University, who was also the host of the conference, Professor Kabir Adeyemo, said the conference provided a unique platform for intellectuals, diplomats and thought leaders from across the globe to deliberate on evolved relationship between Africa and Japan, especially in the context of shaping a new world order. He also said the theme of the conference was not only timely but also crucial, given the ever-changing global dynamics.
“Having listened to Professor Falola’s lecture, we must ask ourselves how can Nigera, Africa and Japan work together to foster economic growth that is productive and successful? How can we leverage our cultural exchange to build ties in education, research and innovation? What role can our nation play in advocating for more equitable global order that will address climate change, political stability.
“This conference will provide a partial ground for discussion, on how both regions can leverage their unique strength to contribute towards a balanced and inclusive new order as academic exchange and research collaboration can serve as a springboard for covering actions that impact trade, innovation, co-operation and diplomacy.
When it was the turn of the Deputy Head of Mission, Japan to Nigeria, Mr Kizaki Hitoshi to speak he started off by teaching the audience some common Japanese words, their meanings and how they are pronounced. He also went further to emphasized the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Japan, adding that the Japanese people are interested in Nigeria and what goes on in the country. He also cited the case of some Nigerian literature, such as “The Palmwine Drinkard” by Amos Tutuola that had been translated into Japanese.
Hitoshi maintained that Japan sees Nigeria as a partner in business and politics, adding that Japan’s relationship with Nigeria started when the country attained independence many years ago. According to Hitoshi, the aim was to support Nigeria to achieve economic growth and power through trade and investment and to build relationship between the two countries.
In his speech, Mr Olusakin Labeodan, MD/CEO Leadway Pensure PFA, a major sponsor of the conference, noted that his company is committed to driving sustainable growth. And that is why they proudly throw their weight behind initiatives that foster international exchange and cultural collaboration.
“This conference is a testament to the power of global partnerships and the boundless opportunities that come when meaningful dialogue is facilitated between Africa and Japan. Our core mission at Leadway Pensure resonates strongly with that of AAJS, which seeks to deepen relationship between Africa and Japan – two regions with rich history and dynamic future. Just as we work to secure the financial wellbeing, the AAJS wants to build intellectual and cultural wealth by fostering the kind of relationships and scholarship that will influence future generations.
“Furthermore, in today’s interconnected world, learning from diverse perspectives is a key to progress. Japan with its rich cultural heritage and technological advancement offers invaluable lessons for Africa, particularly in areas such as innovation, societal development and global collaboration. The work being done b AAJS is critical in this regard as it opens the door to new ideas and partnerships that benefit both regions,” Labeodan maintained.
That the conference was a celebration of the youths, their enormous potential and possibilities as well as the important role they play in shaping the new world order is not an exaggeration. Not only were they met on their turf that day, a need Aguoru emphasized in her speech, they also played very significant roles. For instance students from Bodija International College staged an animated mimed drama performance, which aligned with the theme of the conference and that elicited a round of applause from the audience.
Targeting the youths, Ms Shimada Mami, Secretary, Culture and Information, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, delivered a speech entitled, “Understanding Japan” in which she gave a slide presentation of research and scholarship opportunities in Japan, which Nigerian students can access and benefit from. Those scholarships, according to her are fully funded by the Japanese government at various levels of education and can be accessed on the website of the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria.
Another highlight of the event, which signaled a happy ending to the Opening Ceremony, was when Professor Adeshina Afolayan presented the Best Student Abstract Award to Abdulbasit Olalekan Abubakar for his abstract entitled. “Japan’s Inward-Looking Industrialization Vs. Nigeria’s Resource Dependency and its Implications for Sustainable Growth.”
The Vice Chancellor Lead City University, Professor Kabir Adeyemo, on behalf of AAJS, also presented a Distinguished Award to the MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Mr Olusakin Labeodan for his contributions to the development of African Japanese studies in Africa.
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