Kaduna State University Hosts Lecture on African Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge for Growth

Kaduna State University (KASU) hosted a public lecture on November 28, 2024, titled “Africa in the Academy: The Challenges of Ontological Suicide,” emphasizing the importance of African heritage and indigenous knowledge systems. The lecture aimed to explore Africa's role in global intellectual discourse and promote the preservation of cultural identity.

The Vice Chancellor of KASU, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, opened the event by stressing the need for transformative knowledge and the vital role of philosophy in fostering understanding among Africa's youth. The keynote speaker, Emeritus Prof. John Ayotunde Isola Bewaji, from the University of the West Indies, discussed the challenges of preserving African traditions, which are often disregarded until validated by Western science. 

Prof. Bewaji called for a return to African roots, advocating for the integration of indigenous knowledge, natural medicines, and cultural practices into education. Dr. Suleiman Balarabe, Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, represented by Dr. Tunde Adesina, also stressed the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge into university curricula to promote cultural authenticity and self-reliance.

The lecture concluded with a call for Africans to reclaim their heritage as a foundation for sustainable growth and development.