Olabisi Alausa
The Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Prof. Olarewaju Fagbohun, has indicated plans by the university to boost local cultures, research and socio-economic development of the country through its Centre for AfroBrazillian Studies.
The newly established Centre, according to Prof. Fagbohun, will attract scholars, intellectuals and policy makers from Brazil and other countries of the world to the institution.
The VC gave the indication during the inauguration of the Board of the LASU Centre for AfroBrazilian Studies recently.
Represented on the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Olumuyiwa Noah, the VC expressed confidence that the Centre would boost a stronger bond between LASU and Brazilian institutions.
“We are expecting greater collaboration, linkages and staff and students’ exchanges that will improve academics and national development,” he said.
The VC, who noted that the Centre would be a big inspiration to Brazillian Descendants in Lagos, explained that the Centre could have been established in 2004, but the process was delayed as a result of logistics challenges.
“It is an historical moment for us and the examples that Nigerians can draw from this country (Brazil) include how to live in peace, move together as well as focus on business development,” he said.
He urged Portuguese Language students in the university to broaden their horizon through collaboration with their colleagues in fields such as technology, architecture and commerce, in a bid to address societal needs.
Earlier in his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Harrison Adeniyi, disclosed that LASU Centre for AfroBrazilian Studies was not only the first of its kind in Nigeria but also in West Africa.
He said the relevance of the Centre could not be over-emphasised, considering the fact that language could break barriers while the lack of mastery of a particular language could create problems.
“The Centre is also to engender academic excellence and to cater for laymen who are interested in Brazilian Language, most especially their descendant in the state,”
he added.
Also, an Associate Professor of Linguistics and Portuguese Studies, Department of Foreign Languages, LASU, Dr. Tayo Ajayi, said the Centre was approved by the senate of the university and conceived as an academic, socio-cultural and economic Centre for Brazilian heritage
in Lagos.
In addition, Ajayi said the Centre would help to create awareness and serve as reference Centre for Afro Brazilian language and
culture.
The President, Brazilian Descendants’ Association, Mr. Graciliano Martins, while expressing happiness over the establishment of the Centre, said it would serve as a hall of fame to foster good relationship between the two countries.
