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UNESCO Programmes Specialist, Mr. Edmund Mukala has described the forthcoming Colloquium on Slavery, Slave Trade and Their Consequences, scheduled to hold in Osun State in August,as strategic and important considering the position of Nigeria in the historiography of Slave Trade and emancipation efforts. Mr. Mukala stated this in an interview after attending the meeting of the Planning Commitee as a UNESCO observer. He said he was impressed with preparations made, stressing that UNESCO sees the Colloquium as an extension of the Slave Route Project which the international organization has been working on for the past fifteen years. The Programmes Specialist emphasised that the support of the body for the Colloquium is also an indication of the commitment of the UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, to ensuring that the activities of the Slave Route Project are revived and reinforced worldwide.
According to the UNESCO official, the Colloquium, coming on the eve of the commemoration of 2011 UN International Year for the Population of African Descents, will provide an avenue for the formulation of a clear Plan of Action in favour of this population. He added that the involvement of Osun State in the planning and hosting of the Colloquium is an important political sign for UNESCO that Nigeria is assuming its responsibility as one of the leading countries, in the campaign to break the silence on the historic tragedy of Slave Trade. The International Colloquium on Slavery, Slave Trade and Their Consequences holds from August 23-26 at Royal Park Hotel, Iloko Ijesa, Osun .State. Nigeria. |
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The Osun State Government, through its Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding ( a category 2 Unesco Centre), in conjunction with Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), PANAFSTRAG and the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation is organising an International Conference on Slavery, Slave Trade and Their Consequences. The Conference, to be held in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria from August 22-26, 2010, is being convened to discuss and advance the frontiers of knowledge by exploring the following issues: Slavery as a social and economic institution in agrarian Afican society; the introduction, ramification, organization and impact of Trans Saharan Slave Trade and revising and updating knowledge on the various aspects of Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. It is expected that the Conference will open up new areas of scholarship on slavery and slave trade and expand the body of literature by making substantial contributions to the historiography of slave trade and lead to other avenues for research in this area.
Sub-themes to be explored at the Conference include: Historiography of Slavery and Slave Trade; Regional Perspectives on Slavery and Slave Trade; Globalization and New Forms of Enslavement; Enslavement and Global Africa Diaspora; Slave Market and Routes; Monuments, Relics and Tourism as well as Recocilation, Reparation and Rehabilitation. A statement issued by the Central Planning Conmmittee says response to the Conference by eminent scholars, specialists and activists has been enthusiastic. Respected and erudite scholars such as Prof. Toyin Falola, Prof. (Emeritus) J. F Ade Ajayi, Prof. E.J Alagoa, Prof. Paul Lovejoy, Prof. Felix Chami, Prof. Bolanle Awe and many others will participate at the Conference.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has promised to give full support to the Central Planning Committee of the International Conference as it prepares to hold the event in August. The governor made the pledge while receiving the Committee's report on the planning and execution of the Conference. Prince Oyinlola who expressed confidence in the Committee said the 'conference is important and necessary within the context of preserving our history and documenting our experiences.' He said his decision to host the Conference was informed by the position and role of Osun State in the cultural space of Nigeria, Africa and the entire world. The Governor also expressed delight at the decision of the Planning Committee to hold the Conference at the time the Osun Osogbo International Festival will be taking place.
Responding,Chairman of the Committee, Professor Abi Dere Faka expressed the readiness of the Committee to hold a successful Conference. He said that necessary logistics are being put in place to achieve this. Membership of the Committee is drawn from the academia, NGOs, CBAAC, PANAFSRAG and the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and National Orientation. For more information about the Conference ,please contact: abidere@yahoo.co.uk; akinalao@gmail.com; ajibloecr@yahoo.com; manieodek@yahoo.com ;josephaina@yahoo.com |
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The Central Planning Committee of the forthcoming Colloquium on 'Slavery, Slave Trade and Their Consequences' holds a Press Conference in Lagos on Monday, July 5, 2010. The Media Parley is part of the sensitization and awareness plan for the Conference. The Press will be adressed by the chairman of the Committee, Prof. Abi Derefaka. He will be supported by the Director, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, Prof. Wole Ogundele and other members of the Committee.
Venue is Entrace D Lobby of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Time is 10.a.m prompt. |
