AFRICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT AND SELF-RELIANCE: PANACEA TO AMELIORATE UNEMPLOYMENT IN AFRICA
AFRICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT AND SELF-RELIANCE: PANACEA TO AMELIORATE UNEMPLOYMENT IN AFRICA
Adebisi David, ALADE
Department of History and International Studies
Adekunle Ajasin University
Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
2348064151074; 2348024615670 aladeadebisidavid@yahoo.com Abstract
In African states, there is high tempo of following the residual paths of Western thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle and John Locke, in the quest to formulate sound thoughts and policies. While nothing is inherently wrong with appropriating ideas from non-African cultural backgrounds, what is awkward is that Africans are so engrossed in this vogue that our own models, whatever their worth, are rarely considered. This paper therefore critically appraises the ideas of Dr. Taiwo Solarin and Julius Nyerere on education for self-reliance as panacea to ameliorating the mounting quotient of unemployment in Africa. The paper notes that although African education is rooted in self-reliance as stated in the National Policy on education, commitment however is only at the level of policy articulation. Using historical and philosophical analytical methodology, the paper examines African Political Thought and self-reliance and posits that the present educational policy stifles the graduates’ initiative to apply their theoretical knowledge pragmatically. The paper explores the philosophers’ views on education which reflects African cultural experiences based on resourcefulness, self-realization, self-sufficiency and self-reliance through emphasis on vocational and technical education. The paper asserts that Africa is blessed with great thinkers and in our march to economic greatness, the paper concludes by advocating for the integration of their perspicuity into the National Policy on education in other to tackle unemployment in Nigeria.
Keywords: Education, Unemployment, Self-reliance, Africa, Development, Political Thought.
Introduction: Theoretical Conceptualisation and Clarifications
Adebisi David, ALADE
Department of History and International Studies
Adekunle Ajasin University
Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
2348064151074; 2348024615670 aladeadebisidavid@yahoo.com Abstract
In African states, there is high tempo of following the residual paths of Western thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle and John Locke, in the quest to formulate sound thoughts and policies. While nothing is inherently wrong with appropriating ideas from non-African cultural backgrounds, what is awkward is that Africans are so engrossed in this vogue that our own models, whatever their worth, are rarely considered. This paper therefore critically appraises the ideas of Dr. Taiwo Solarin and Julius Nyerere on education for self-reliance as panacea to ameliorating the mounting quotient of unemployment in Africa. The paper notes that although African education is rooted in self-reliance as stated in the National Policy on education, commitment however is only at the level of policy articulation. Using historical and philosophical analytical methodology, the paper examines African Political Thought and self-reliance and posits that the present educational policy stifles the graduates’ initiative to apply their theoretical knowledge pragmatically. The paper explores the philosophers’ views on education which reflects African cultural experiences based on resourcefulness, self-realization, self-sufficiency and self-reliance through emphasis on vocational and technical education. The paper asserts that Africa is blessed with great thinkers and in our march to economic greatness, the paper concludes by advocating for the integration of their perspicuity into the National Policy on education in other to tackle unemployment in Nigeria.
Keywords: Education, Unemployment, Self-reliance, Africa, Development, Political Thought.
Introduction: Theoretical Conceptualisation and Clarifications
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