2018 African Studies Spring Lecture

The African Studies Institute presents the 2018 Spring Lecture on Thursday, March 29 at 8 a.m. in the UGA Special Collections Library Auditorium. African philosopher Alloy S. Ihuah will present this year’s inaugural lecture, “MADIBAISM: An African Leadership Philosophy of the New Past and the Old Future.” 

A member of the World Council on Values and the Nigerian Philosophical Association, Alloy Ihuah is a Professor of Philosophy in the department of religious studies and philosophy at Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. He is the director of the Center for Research Management at the university. His areas of teaching and research include philosophy of science, epistemology and existentialism. In this lecture, Ihuah recognizes a disconnection between the rulers and the ruled in Africa. 

Drawing lessons from the Madiba Mandela conundrum, he argues that, without comprehension, mental magnitude, spiritual depth, selflessness and incorruptibility, which are the core indigenous African leadership qualities that defined the Mandela persona, Africa’s long walk to democratic consolidation will remain a distant dream.

“Professor Ihuah is one of the leaders in the field of African Philosophy. He is an internationally renowned researcher and teacher. We are excited to have him deliver the inaugural ASI Spring Lecture,” said Ibigbolade Aderibigbe, associate professor in the department of religion and the associate director of the African Studies Institute. “As the 2018 Franklin International Faculty Exchange (FIFE) program fellow, ASI students will also get a chance to interact with this outstanding African philosopher beyond the spring lecture.” 

The African Studies Institute Spring lecture celebrates the academic achievements of the students and faculty associated with the Institute throughout the academic year. As part of the lecture events, undergraduate students who have completed the requirements for the Certificate in African Studies (CAS) program will be presented with their Certificates. Faculty associated with the program will also be recognized. 

Welcome to campus, Professor Ihuah.

Image of Nelson Mandela and child, via.