GAMBIAN ENVOY CHARGES AFRICAN LEADERS TO INVEST IN SUSTAINABLE PEACE AS A VEHICLE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

The Gambian envoy to the United Nations, His Excellency, Ambassador Lang Yabou has called on African governments to invest in sustainable peace as a vehicle for national development. Ambassador Yabou made this assertion while speaking as the Eminent Lecturer at the maiden edition of the Eminent lecture series of Igbinedion University
Okada held at the University Main Auditorium in Okada on Thursday 17 th October, 2019. Speaking on the topic “Sustainable Peace, Security and Social Inclusion as Catalysts for Africa’s Future and Development”, Ambassador Yabou who is Ambassador Extraordinary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the United Nationsnoted that African Governments must also prioritize infrastructural development by
investing in new and smart technologies with a view to leapfrogging the economic competitiveness of the continent.
He observed that the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) built on the foundation that the continent must bear greater responsibility for its own peace and security and conflict management and resolution also envisages partnership with the United Nations and other international actors. Ambassador Yabou further advocated for peace and security in the African continent noting that the African Union Peace and Security Council must cherish the partnership
of the International community, especially the United Nations as we strive to achieve
the goal of silencing the guns by 2020 and end wars on the continent. His Excellency, Lang Yabou was former Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Chancery of the Gambian High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. He later served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Gambia to the Kingdom of Spain with
accreditation to Italy, Greece, Malta and Portugal among many others.
In his opening remark the Chairman, Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of Igbinedion
University, Okada Prof Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah commended the eminent guest lecturer
for making out time to honor the University’s invitation. Prof. Abdullah assured theaudience ahead of the lecture that the guest lecturer by his profile would deliver beyond
expectation.
The Chief Host, Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye Ph.D. Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada in his welcome address informed that the University instituted the Eminent Lecture Series to create a concrete platform for knowledge exchange, town and gown interface and community impartation. These, he said informed
the choice of the maiden Eminent Lecturer whom he described as an accomplished,
distinguished and acclaimed Diplomat par excellence. The lecture which was well attended by heads of security agencies and paramilitary outfits had in attendance members of the Governing Council of Igbinedion University
Okada including former Minister of Agriculture and Chairman, Governing Council/ Pro- Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Professor Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah, former Director-General of the National Energy Commission of Nigeria and former Vice-Chancellor, Tafawa Balewa University, Prof. Sanni Sambo former Registrar, University of Benin and
Chairman, Independent Television and Radio, Lady Celerina Ojomo among otherdistinguished guests.