Oculi’s Ideas Remain Relevant to Africa’s Quest for Unity and Progress — Dr. Khadijah Gumbi

By Idris Umar, Zaria The intellectual legacy of the late Professor Okello Oculi continues to attract attention among African sch...

By Idris Umar, Zaria

The intellectual legacy of the late Professor Okello Oculi continues to attract attention among African scholars, with calls for his ideas to be translated into practical solutions to the continent’s development challenges.

Dr. Khadijah Sunusi Gumbi of Bayero University Kano made the call while presenting a paper titled “The Diplomatic Legacy of Professor Okello Oculi” at a programme held at the CBN Centre of Excellence, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Rather than viewing Oculi solely through the traditional lens of academia, Dr. Gumbi described him as an “intellectual diplomat” whose writings and lifelong commitment to Pan-Africanism provided a powerful framework for understanding Africa’s place in the world.

She said Oculi demonstrated that intellectual capacity, cultural identity and knowledge could serve as important tools of diplomacy and influence, particularly at a time when Africa continues to seek greater unity and a more decisive voice in global affairs.

According to her, the book presented at the programme examines the diplomatic dimensions of Oculi’s works, with particular focus on intellectualism, knowledge, Pan-Africanism and soft power.

Dr. Gumbi explained that Oculi’s advocacy for cultural renaissance was rooted in the belief that Africans could strengthen their unity and global influence by valuing their history, culture and intellectual resources.

She stressed that preserving his ideas was not enough, urging scholars, young people and policymakers to examine how his intellectual contributions could be applied to contemporary challenges confronting African societies.

“The relevance of Oculi’s ideas goes beyond history,” she noted, emphasising the need to translate his intellectual legacy into practical actions capable of contributing to Africa’s development.

She said the publication was intended to preserve Oculi’s contributions and ensure that his ideas remained accessible to current and future generations, particularly young Africans seeking new perspectives on the continent’s future.

The gathering attracted academics, students and other stakeholders who reflected on Oculi’s contributions to Pan-African thought and discussed ways of keeping his ideals relevant to contemporary Africa.

Participants agreed that the best way to honour Oculi’s legacy was not simply to remember his works, but to continue engaging with his ideas and applying them in the pursuit of a more united, confident and self-reliant Africa.