By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

AFRICA is set to celebrate the investiture of Prof. Andrew Ezadueyan Zamani, a Nigerian, as new President of the Pan African Psychology Union as the body celebrates its 10th anniversary slated for next week in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Zamani is succeeding the Union’s founding President, Prof. Saths Cooper of South Africa and will be entering the exalted office with a wealth of experience from the academia and professional practice.

A statement from the Chairman, Nigerian Psychological Association FCT chapter, Mr Victor Adejoh, and made available to newsmen, eulogised the versatility of the expert in the practice of Psychology.

Adejoh, enthused by the elevation of his compatriot, Prof. Zamani, to the exalted office noted that the experience of the erudite Professor in related learned societies made him “nicely fit for this role.”

Prof. Zamani, he revealed, rejuvenated the once comatose Nigerian Psychological Association, led it for more than six years and emplaced its structure of growth and progress.

Adejoh hinted that this was after the Professor had served at various times as Treasurer and Assistant Secretary General of the Association adding that he served the association in different capacities.

“He has served the Association in several capacities, including Chairman, NPA League of Fellows; Chairman President – Elect, Search Committee; Chairman, NPA Fellowship Award Committee.

“In 2002, he convened the Association of Practicing Psychologists of Nigeria and used it as a platform to canvass for the gazetting of Psychology as a civil service profession in Nigeria, a feat that was finally clinched by the Nigerian Psychological Association.

“Today, Nigerian Psychologists have a scheme of service and career path in the polity”, Adejoh explained.

As the Pan African Psychology Union is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Johannesburg, South Africa between the 8-11th October, 2024, the body is set to roll out its drums to welcome the new President, Prof. Andrew Zamani.

Like his predecessor, Saths Cooper, Zamani is highly respected and recommended as a team player and transformational leader. He hopes to leverage his contacts all over Africa to lead the Union to the next level. (Ends)

Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has shared insights from his recent visit to Kigali, Rwanda, where he engaged in various discussions aimed at addressing Africa’s challenges, particularly in areas like productivity, leadership, and development.
Obi who made disclosure while writing on his X handle explained that his trip over the weekend involved several planned and spontaneous meetings with influential figures in the development sector. 
He noted that the discussions spanned personal topics to critical issues like sports and food insecurity. A recurring theme in the conversations was the need for African countries, including Nigeria, to shift from a consumption-based economy to one driven by productivity.
Reflecting on his conversation with former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Obi highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to boost productivity after realizing that their output was significantly lower than that of China. 
“They found that the Chinese produce 6-7 times more than Ethiopians, and they decided to take action. Today, Ethiopia’s average production is 60-70% of what the Chinese can do,” Desalegn recounted during their discussion.
One of the key moments of Obi’s visit was a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a leader he greatly admires. Obi described Kagame as a model of effective leadership, committed to the prudent management of scarce resources and dedicated service to his people. Their conversation touched on the pressing needs for Africa to move forward and the importance of visionary leadership.

Obi also spoke at the Sherrie Silver Foundation’s “The Silver Gala,” where he observed the potential for Africa’s youth to drive the continent’s growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. “I saw a continent on the rise if only we could have the right leadership and invest in the entrepreneurial, innovative energy of our youths,” he said.
His time in Kigali reinforced his belief in a brighter future for both Nigeria and Africa. Obi remains optimistic that with the right leadership, Africa’s potential

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has said that adequate investment in agriculture is a sure way of tackling food insecurity in Africa.

Speaking as a panellist at an international Conference on food security in Kigali, Rwandan capital on Friday, Obi said the hunger crisis in Africa can only be tamed effectively by giving adequate attention to agriculture.

“Reducing reliance on food imports will help ease the strain on our currency, steady exchange rates, and rein in inflationary pressures driven by high food costs

Writing on his X handle on Friday from Rwanda, Obi said “Today, I was one of the panellists at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 held in the Rwandan capital Kigali.
“At the session, I reiterated my long-held position that food insecurity in Africa is intrinsically linked to human insecurity.

“Using Nigeria as an example, I emphasized that solving food insecurity is a major path to general security in the country. By investing in agriculture and food-related productivity Nigeria will not only be addressing the hunger crisis but will also create huge job opportunities for the teeming unemployed population, especially the youths in their productive age.

“To further elucidate the untapped potential in our food production, Bangladesh, with approximately 148,000 square kilometres less than 1/6th of Nigeria’s about 923,768 square kilometres, produces 35-40 million tons of rice annually. In contrast, Nigeria produces only 3-4 million tons of rice, which is roughly 10% of Bangladesh’s rice production

“This disparity which is similar to the African situation highlights the untapped potential of Africa’s agricultural sector and underscores the need for investment.

“Food insecurity, if addressed properly in Africa, can be a catalyst for enhancing human security and promoting overall development. With significant investments in agriculture and food systems, we can create jobs, reduce poverty, and tackle hunger simultaneously.
“By focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and value-chain improvements, we cannot only ensure food security but also empower communities and promote economic growth, leading to a more prosperous and secure Africa. We must prioritize food security to unlock the continent’s potential and address the pressing issues of human insecurity.”