November 28, (THEWILL) – The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Benue State, Mr Idris Idoko, has said that whoever initiated the concept of “African time” is an enemy of Africa.
Mr Idoko made the disclosure during the Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO) organised by the Nigeria Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) with the theme: “The African Time Syndrome: Implication for National Development” in Makurdi on Tuesday.
The NOA State Director lamented that African time is fast becoming a menace, stressing that it is a dangerous concept which impairs progress, growth and development.
“It justifies lateness to work and other events. It justifies delays in accomplishing assignments as well as tasks or jobs,” he said.
He assured that NOA would collaborate with NICO to fight the menace for the betterment of society, emphasising that there are problems in the country because people are unethical.
In his presentation, the Executive Secretary, NICO, Mr Ado Yahuza, lamented that the habit of indulging in lateness, which is popularly known as African time, is depriving the society of its desired development.
“This habit has often been treated lightly but has continuously deprived our society of its deserved development. It has constantly led to missed opportunities, delayed progress, strained interpersonal relationships, and hindered productivity, which impedes societal development,” he said.
According to him, the repercussions of this indiscipline extend beyond individual habits to affect the collective well-being and efficiency of the society and therefore, demand collective attention in the context of national development.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Joe Iorapuu, represented by Prof. Gowon Doki, commended NICO for bringing the topic of Africa time for discussion.
Professor Iorapuu, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Benue State University, Makurdi, stated that the resource persons have the information and knowledge to talk about time management, its historical background and economic implications.
Earlier, the Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Mohammed, said that the agency used music and dance to communicate to society to change for the better.
The Chairman, Makurdi Area Traditional Council, Chief Vincent Aule, appreciated NICO for making use of the available resources to conscientise Nigerians on the implications of African time syndrome on national development.
