OPENING SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE AFRICA SCIENCE DIPLOMACY AND POLICY NETWORK (ASDPN)
July 7th, 2018 By: Nche Tala Aghanwi, Founder and Executive Director
Dear members of the General Coordination Unit (GCU),
Dear Country Coordinators,
Dear Members of ASDPN,
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for respecting this invitation once again.
We are living in a world which is fast changing, there is the development of new technologies, ideas and research strategies all geared towards making life comfortable and secure for the global citizenry. Unfortunately our beautiful continent continues to linger very far behind when compared to other parts of the world. Africa for more than half a century that is since independence has found it hard to adapt to the new global dispensation.
But today I thank God for your courage, for your believe and your passion to reverse this trend of underdevelopment that is almost becoming a tradition in Africa.
For the past one month you have questioned and challenged yourselfs, you have sacrificed precious time, you have put the continent of Africa first before your individual interest, and you have bridge geographical barriers to communicate ideas and strategies to push Africa forward.
Indeed I tell you your efforts have not been wasted for out of it a giant has been born, a great institution that will forever transform the approach to development in the continent. You have created the Africa Science Diplomacy and Policy Network (ASDPN).
Barely a month after creation, we are represented in Africa in 17 countries and 4 sub-regions by very robust Africans of fine intellect.
Fellow Members of ASDPN,
Today I can proudly say to you that ASDPN is a complete organization with all the attributes of one. I can proudly say to you that as each day passes we continue to position our self as the future pillar of Africa’s development in the 21st century and beyond.
Members of ASDPN let none of you be deceived to stay behind this moving train. Let us all key in and build the type of Africa we want just like our motto says “Sustainably Transforming Africa Together”.
Fellow members of ASDPN
I encourage you all to contribute passionately in today’s discussion as it will mark a turning point first for Africa and for our organization ASDPN moving forward.
Indeed I tell you, all is set. The soil is moist and fertile I encourage you to work and plant generously for the harvest shall be great.
On this note I will like to declare this meeting open
THANK YOU!