A Professor of African Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, Toyin Falola has tasked scholars and management of Chrisland University in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to begin the process of integrating indigenious scientific knowledge and cultural values into academic curriculum of academic, so as to make the institution relevant in development of culture and values of its immediate community
Falola, an African Historian delivering the Chrisland University's 5th convocation lecture titled "Science and Values" on Monday, stressed the need to preserve and document the rich scientific knowledge and innovations of Africa through integration of such scientific knowledge and innovations into academic curriculum to enable present generation of Nigerians to acquire such knowledge for sustenance of the society
The Guest Lecturer identified the need to preserve the likes of local fabrics Adire , Kampala, creative arts particularly local music and folks tale which according to him, have contributed largely to making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa
The multiple awards recipient is worried about how Africans have continued to debased their rich cultural values at the expense of Western innovations and culture, calling for a change in the narrative to protect African cultural values and identity from being destroyed
The Don made references to age-long indigenous knowledge of how Africans had been protecting themselves against outbreak of diseases and other health related cases as well as preserving and processing foods from raw materials such as garri and yam flour
He called African scholars to start believing in local solutions to the problems confronting the continent saying there are enough depositary of indigenous knowledge to address the current challenges in economy and other sectors
Also speaking, Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Isiaq Oloyede stressed the need for the university system to start look inward on how to preserve the rich cultural values of the society
Pro-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju responding to the new challenge thrown by the Guest Lecturer, assured that the institution would work on the suggestion to make it more relevant in its immediate community
He was full of appreciation for the founder and Chancellor of the university, Dr(Mrs) Winifred Awosika for her visionary leadership and support to sustenance of culture of academic excellence in the institution
Similarly Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.Chinedum Peace Babalola lauded the well researched paper presentation of the convocation lecture by Guest Lecturer, saying it will help to sharp the knowledge of the 91 graduands who are graduating on Tuesday as Stars to the outside world
High point of the event was the presentation of gift to the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Falola and JAMB Registrar by the Vice-Chancellor of the university
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