Afe Babalola Advocates Unity as ABUAD Hosts Africa-Asia Inter-Continental Universities Conference
During the 1st Africa-Asia Inter-Continental Universities Conference hosted by Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Founder Afe Babalola emphasized the importance of unity in Nigeria, dismissing the notion that the nation's diversity hinders development.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Afe Babalola, the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), voiced his stance against the fragmentation of Nigeria, emphasizing that the nation's diverse tribes and languages are not to blame for its underdevelopment. This declaration came during the inaugural session of the 1st Africa-Asia Inter-Continental Universities Conference, held in collaboration with the Centre for China-Africa Discourse Studies (CECADS) at ABUAD.
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The conference, themed "Building Bridges for Advancing the SDGs: Enhancing Inter-University Scientific Collaboration between Africa and China," witnessed Babalola's assertion of Nigeria's potential to become a leading civilized and industrialized nation if its vast population and manpower are effectively harnessed.
Babalola highlighted China's transformation from a country with numerous languages and tribes to one of the world's leading civilized nations, attributing its success to leveraging its population and resources. He cautioned against advocating for Nigeria's fragmentation, urging observers to learn from China's example.
The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Ms. Yan Yuqing, echoed the sentiment, attributing China's economic growth to science and technology. She commended Babalola for fostering China-Nigeria cooperation in education and science and technology for sustainable development.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State applauded ABUAD for its commitment to global relevance, acknowledging the university's efforts to uphold world-class standards. The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, also praised ABUAD for expanding the horizons of university education.
The conference aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between African and Chinese universities, fostering scientific cooperation for sustainable development. Ms. Yan Yuqing expressed China's willingness to support Nigerian youth empowerment through education and vocational skills training, emphasizing the potential for collaboration between ABUAD and Chinese enterprises.
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In conclusion, Babalola's advocacy for unity and ABUAD's hosting of the Africa-Asia Inter-Continental Universities Conference underscore the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing global development agendas.
