The import of applying acceptable global ideas for overall development of the local economy was the cardinal discussion at the fifth International Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus.
The International Conference drew speakers from both local, foreign academia, and the government, who gave diverse viewpoints on the discourse and how it could be applied efficiently to Nigeria and African development.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Glocalizing the African Society for Sustainable Development,” looked to provide a strong background for solutions to many of Nigeria’s and Africa’s social challenges through the incorporatation of standard global principles that will help to strengthen the already-existing local values.
In a lead paper presentation, a communication scholar at the North Dakota State University, USA, Professor Charles Okigbo, who looked at the topic “Sustainable Development of Africa: How Can Glocalization Help Us?,” noted that Nigeria and indeed Africa have come halfway into the process of global development, and called for the sustenance of the development models in both areas for more achievements.
Professor Okigbo who pointed out that though the African continent is bedevilled by many problems including crises, lack of strategic planning, unreliable statistics, said the continent must look at the developed global space, to see what it can leverage to drive its existing potential.
A keynote speaker and a Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA, Chris Ogbondah, noted that glocalization was an important tool for development whose strategies have been successfully implemented in diverse areas including education, marketing, management, sports, music, et cetera, and argued that even the African folklores could be used to promote glocalization in African classrooms.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, while adding a voice to the theme, argued that glocalization would not be feasible without the understanding and application of both principles of global standardization and local adaptation, stressing that multinational firms who do not recognize the cultural and social taste of their host communities were bound to fail.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mark Okoye, was of the view that attracting global investment to the local economy must be driven by technology and innovative roadmaps that make planning and execution smarter and less complex. Earlier in their separate welcome speeches, the Chairman on the occasion, Professor Emman-Owums Owuamalam, and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Greg Nwakoby, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Ellis Idemobi, noted that the theme of the conference would put the University on a global map, with its outcome aimed at providing solutions to major setbacks facing the Nigerian society.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, the organizer of the Conference, Professor O.B.C Nwankwo, was of the opinion that this year’s conference was unique, coming at the heels of the recent Free Trade Deal by African Nations; a strong reference point to the merit of glocalization.
Comments are closed for this post.