Don urges Africa to play more prominent role in global economic order

A law teacher, Prof. Olajumoke Oduwole, on Wednesday said Africa, as a bloc, must position itself to play a more prominent role in the global economic order.

Oduwole, who is of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, gave the advice while briefing newsmen in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the briefing came ahead of the 3rd African International Economic Law Network Biennial Conference to be hosted by the faculty from April 29 to April 30.

She said the conference would attract academics, practitioners and policy-makers from Africa and the rest of the world and focus on development issues in the continent.

“It is expected that the essence of the conference will be to expand the scope of research on the balance between the actual economic and development realities of African States.

“The importance of such an exercise is premised on the fact that Africa, as a bloc, must position itself to play a more prominent role in the global economic order.

“For this to occur, intellectual expertise must be developed from within the continent to create the requisite momentum for sustainable economic development,” Oduwole said.

The don, who is the current holder of The Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity, in the Netherlands, said Africa must strive to address its developmental challenges.

Also speaking, Mr Ashimizo Afadamah, President, African International Economic Law Newtwork, decried the under-representation of African experts in the field of International Economic Law.

According to him, this is one of the major limitations to Africa’s economic development within the global economic order.

On his part, Mr Wahab Shittu, Coordinator, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, said issues relating to growth and development were very important for Africa at this point in time.

“The issue of development has been a major challenge to African countries. We are optimistic that the conference will help proffer solution to how these challenges can be addressed,” Shittu said.

The Acting Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Peter Fogam, said the conference would provide the university the opportunity to strengthen its existing affiliations and create new ones with regional governments and institutions.