By Angela Atabo

The Pan-African Dialogue Institute (TPADI) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare May 25th, which is Africa Day, a national public holiday.

The President of TPADI, Dr Effiong Udo, made the call at a news conference in Abuja.

Udo stated that recognising Africa Day would strengthen Nigeria’s connection to the rest of the continent.

The president added that such would also promote national pride in the country’s role as a leader in Pan-Africanism.

He explained Africa Day commemorates the founding date of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which later became the African Union (AU).

According to him, the day is a symbol of African liberation, unity, and collective responsibility for the development of the continent, and many African countries mark it ceremoniously except Nigeria.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare May 25 Africa Day as a national public holiday.

“We recommend that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, alongside Ministry of Education and Ministry of Tourism, take necessary steps.

“They should integrate Africa Day into our national consciousness with public awareness campaigns and school curricula.

“We also call on civil society organisations, universities, the creative industries, and the private sector within Nigeria and the diaspora to join hands with us in this campaign,” he said.

Udo added that if Nigerians could celebrate international days assigned to hepatitis, malaria, HIV and AIDS, among others, Africa Day should also be celebrated.

According to him, the day is more than a symbolic milestone but a call to historical consciousness, a living symbol of African liberation, unity, and collective responsibility for the development of our continent.

He said that recognising the need and urgency for Nigeria to take a leadership role in Pan-African discourse, the institute launched its inaugural international dialogue conference on Pan-Africanism.

“This year, we are excited to mark Africa Day with a focus on Nigeria, the giant of Africa.

“We feel Nigeria is incomplete unless it aligns with the vision of a united, self-determined, dignified and respected Africa.

“This sentiment underpins TPADI’s mission to reignite the fire of Pan-Africanism in our great country,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Peter Amine