The following is a guest submission by Nigerian student Olufemi Ogunjobi

To take Africa out of the doldrums through developmental policies, for two days, some of the youths from various parts of Africa gathered at the expansive auditorium of Trenchard hall, University of Ibadan, Nigeria to discuss the continent’s age-long problems. Why is Africa poor? Why is it a backward continent? These and others were what they sought answers to at the maiden African Students For Liberty Conference.

The event kicked off late behind schedule due to the final rites of one of the University dons. Students were already discussing in groups outside the conference venue before the event started. This was done side by side with the registration of participants, who were on a long file. It was written on their faces that they were anxious to chart a new course for peace, liberty and prosperity in Africa.

The participants filed in orderly and sat comfortably in the hall. The expansive Trenchard hall of the university, which was also draped in SFL banners and emblems, suited the mood of the occasion.

Welcome to the African Students For Liberty Conference! The event kicked off around 11a.m, with Ajibola Adigun, a member of African Students For Liberty Executive Board as the compere.

 The group is an offshoot of Students For Liberty (SFL), a non-profit organization aimed at empowering students to become leaders and change agents in their communities.

Resource persons at the event were pro-liberty speakers, including Co-founder of SFL, Alexander McCobin; a social media entrepreneur and popular blogger, Japheth Omojuwa, former law-maker and writer, Dr. Wale  Okediran; Mr. Kofi Bentil, Vice President, IMANI Ghana, Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives among others.

Okediran, who spoke on The Role of Literature in Sustainable Democracy and Good Governance, said The interplay between Literature and Politics is very important  since creative writers in Africa have over the years played very important roles in the process of governance both in Africa and globally. And thus, the writer has taken on the role of social critic or the conscience of the nation and world.’ He said.

In Nigeria, Okediran said we have a deluge of writers who over the years continue to send strident political messages through their works.  Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Femi Osofisan, Niyi Osundare, Festus Iyayi, Seffi Attah are just some of the large group of Nigerian writers who are never tired of criticising the powers that be.

The former law-maker made reference to his widely acclaimed book, ‘Tenants of the House’, where he said politics and social issues are its strong themes. He therefore charged the youngsters to get involved in public service or politics and not to limit their involvement to their profession alone. ‘Be engaged, active and value-driven citizens in everything you do.’ He concluded.

Next was Alexander McCobin, who spoke on ‘Students For Liberty and the Global Movement for Liberty. McCobin, who went through the history of SFL and the growth of the network explained that; ‘Liberty has come a long way over the course of human history, and if we want to see changes in the world, we have to see it ourselves.’ He condemned some political systems of government that do not lead social change but respond to the incentives given.

Therefore, he stimulated the students to rise as leaders in their nation, changing lives through their ideas, saying leaders see the end as the most valuable; their values define them more than temporal pleasures.

He also encouraged them to become active for liberty to advance the cause of freedom and justice.

It was not all lectures. There were coffee and lunch breaks in between. Also, there were interesting drama renditions from UI’s ASFL chapter and also the #BringBackOurGirls campaign by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta’s, chapter.

 Drawing on his experience as a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Adamu Aliyu spoke on The Importance of Rule of Law in Nigeria’s development.

‘Unlike the rule of person, the rule of law postulates that societies must not be subjected to the whims and caprices of individuals who are likely to manipulate social order to benefit their interests, prejudices, and preferences but that all members of society must be governed by a predetermined set of laws established by members of the society through democratic processes and enshrined in the judicial processes of the society. ‘

Does the law rule in Nigeria? Hon. Aliyu took the audience through the historical, social and political background of Nigeria. He said, decades of military rule in Nigeria predictably saw the country suffer a wave of executive lawlessness, human rights abuses and other manifestations of disregard for the rule of law. Under military rule, itself contraventions of the rule of law, decrees were made arbitrarily by the ruling military elite and imposed on citizens.

The return to civilian rule in 1999 gave many people a sense of hope that democracy would guarantee the rule of law and restore social order much so because the Nigerian constitution itself affirms the supremacy of the law.

Mentioning the failure in recognizing and respecting the constitutional roles of the three main institutions of State; namely the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, Aliyu cited a case study of Obasanjo’s regime. He explained that the political dispute between the opposition-led Lagos State government and Federal Government over the failure of the latter to remit funds allocation for local government councils in Lagos following the State Governor’s creation of some additional council is a case in point of bizarre executive lawlessness on the part of the executive arm of government in Nigeria.

He also cited the direct contravention of law; the impeachment saga between 2005 and 2007, where five states governors was impeached by their respective State Houses of Assembly. ‘The only unifying factor of these impeachments was that none could be said to have followed due process.’ Aliyu explained.

In many spheres of the economy, Hon. Aliyu said it is safe to say that after fifteen years of civilian rule, it remains highly debatable whether the rule of law is a reality in Nigeria. He said the failure to institutionalize the rule of law in Nigeria has greatly contributed to our slow progress as a nation. Much of the reluctance of investors to move into the Nigerian market is attributed to the weakness of our legal systems.

He therefore concluded that without the rule of law, there can be no serious development in our country. ‘The supremacy of the law is not a luxury that democracy offers; it is a necessity upon which all other democratic principles stand. Justice for all citizens guarantees peaceful coexistence, harmony and stability. These are in turn critical factors for economic and social development. Whether our nation will rise or fall, depends on our ability and willingness to believe and demonstrate that no man or government is above the law.’

There were noises everywhere when he mounted the podium; the participants busted into laughter when he danced to the popular hip hop hits ‘Ibadan’ and ‘Dorobucci’ before his speech. Japheth Omojuwa, a social critic and blogger spoke on ‘ICT and Liberty as catalysts for Social change and Wealth Creation’

Omojuwa explained that humanity has not had it this good than this time; the age of Social media.  He made reference to the economic and political situations of Nigeria and in other places of the world, saying bombs and bullets cannot stop the flow of information.

He told the youngsters that as ICT compliant, Power to get and create wealth belongs to them, and doors of endless possibilities are opened to them. He therefore charged them to issue their own visas to their opportunities and create wealth for themselves through value.

On Liberty as the Foundation of today’s Prosperous World, Omojuwa explained that gone were the days when phones were luxuries and access to home videos was reserves of the rich. Adding to this, he said Liberty is enhancing innovation and competition is helping the world to creatively destroy.

He told the youngsters that they need the internet and social media to propagate the ideas of liberty, as it will birth technological innovations across Africa.

As new Soldiers of Liberty in Africa, he encouraged them to get acquainted with knowledge, seek synergy and alliances for the entire Continent and the world at large.

Also featured at the event were Activism panels made up of Pro-liberty students across Africa and, presentations from Frederick Roeder, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at SFL, and Peter Goetler, former MD, Barclays Capital.

The vote of thanks wrapped up the event. This was done by Mr. Emeka Ezeugo, the Chairman, African Students For Liberty Executive Board, and called on the members which includes; Olumayowa Okediran, SFL African Programs Manager, Linda Kavuka, Alex Ndungu (Kenya), Odunola Oladejo, Moronfolu Adeniyi, Isack Danford (Tanzania), and other members from Malawi and The Gambia.