Political Scientist and International Relations scholars gathered to interrogate issues of leadership, democratic governance and feasibility of a developmental state in Nigeria.
This assemblage of renounced scholars was at the maiden edition of Warisu Oyesini Alli National Conference (WOANCO) and presentation of Festschrift written in honour of Professor WO Alli, with the title Nigerian Politics and International Relations: Essays in Honour of Professor Warisu Oyesina Alli (NIIA and NDA Press), edited by Prof Usman Tar, Dr Sharkdam Wapmuk and Dr Efem Ubi, and published the NIIA and NDA Press.
The event, which was held at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Abuja, was chaired by the Erudite Professor of International Relations and regional integration, Professor Amadu Sesay, of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Abuja.
The event had in attendance, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Abdul Rasheed Na-Allah, ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Sadiq Abbah, the National President, Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Professor Hassan Saliu; the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNIABUJA, Professor Obadia Wafure Gomina.
Also in attendance were Professor Olatunde G. Babawale – Commissioner, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and former Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), who Keynote Paper and Professor Fatai Aremu, Directing Staff, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, who reviewed the book. Several friends and family members, of the honoree, attended the event both physically and virtually.
In his keynote address titled Reflections on Leadership, Democratic Governance and the Feasibility of a Developmental State in Nigeria, Prof Babawale called on leaders to take democracy and good governance serious for the economic and political development of the country.
He further argued that leadership has been defined as exerting influence, motivating and inspiring, helping others to realise their potential and making a difference.
In his remarks, the Vice-chancellor University of Abuja, Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, said good governance subsists when governance is structured towards achieving the greatest good of people in the society.
The President of NPSA, Professor Hassan Saliu, commended the initiative to celebrate Professors who have made their mark by bringing up younger scholars.
He also commended the initiative to assemble scholars to reflect on critical national issues.
On a whole, scholars at the Maiden conference resolved those efforts must be geared towards establishing an institutional order that would ensure political structures and institutions function effectively within a democratic context. (NAN)