By Paulyne Eba
The Cross River State Government has decried the continuous under-representation of women and children in decision making process on environment at International, National and Local levels despite progress made so far.
The State Governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade made government position known in a paper he delivered at the opening of a 4-day International colloquium on the “marginalization in African philosophy: Women and the Environment”, holding at the Bassey Ndah Institute for African and Asian Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, stated that despite the slow pace of change in this direction, significant progress has been recorded in the area of increase women participation in the areas of environment.
According to the Governor, some of the reason militating against the progress to include high illiteracy rates of women, limited access to natural resources, lack of information and training, stereotypical attitudes regarding their roles as well as insufficient research on gender equality and environment as well as political commitments among others.
He disagreed with some extreme cases of gender discrimination and marginalization in certain communities where women are made to speak different languages from the men only because they are inferior.
He however expressed the hope that today there are changes for the better as women in Africa and indeed the world over are now occupying appointing offices and decision making position.
In a key not lecture Titled ‘Peripherasity and Non-philosophy in African philosophy: Gender, the Environment and other Provocations’ the guest lecturer, Professor Bruce Janz of the University of Central Florida, of the United State of America, dwelt extensively on the distinction between the conventional school of philosophy.
The Professor of Central Florida also noted that his lecture is aimed at highlighting the blind spot in African philosophy with two approaches which are science base and truth, fact and experience base.
In his welcome address on the occasion, Chief Host and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu noted that the number of Professors who have converged from across the globe: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Australia, South Africa, Cameroun and Ethiopia to mention but a few, who have come to deliberate and philosophies, on the topical issue of marginalization in African Philosophers attach to the topic and the issues surrounding it.
Prof. Akpagu commended being able to host an International Conference of that magnitude within it one-and-a-half years of existence adding that the theme of the conference is timely as it is coming at a time when issues of women require more attention from governments corporate bodies and academic researchers in sub-saharan Africa, stating further that the issue of disregard and abuse of the environment deserve attention by elite and special groups of academics such as this one.
The vice chancellor narrowed down the theme to the realities of Cross River State where issues of logging and deforestation as well as matrilineal practices regarding women and inheritance are often discussed in general terms.
Speaking in an opening remarks the Director, Bassey Andah Institute of African and Asian Studies, Professor Chris Nwamuo maintained that the standard of the institute is modelled after the standard of oriental and African studies at the University of London, hence is above all other institutes in Nigeria in excellence.
Prof. Nwamuo expressed delight at hosting the first ever International Colloquium on African Philosophy adding that it is a thing of pride to host twenty four (24) Professors from all over the world and expressed the hope that the meeting will among other things help to encourage some partnership among the participating Universities.
He then urged participants and visitors alike to savour the excitement of the ancient and ancestral city of Calabar.
Paulyne Eba is the PA to the Cross River State Deputy Governor on Media and Press.