Renowned diplomat urges Africans not to allow slavery to divide them

Ambassador Professor Dean Roberts Jnr., High Commissioner and Continental Vice President of the U.N.I.P.G.C.-USA, has urged Africans and people of African descent around the world to unite and build stronger communities rather than allow the legacy of slavery to continue dividing them.

He said the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade had fragmented African families, clans and communities, and called for renewed efforts to reclaim Africa’s history, identity and heritage.

Amb. Prof. Roberts made the remarks at the Ibuaku Clan Development Association family retreat held at the Plush Villa Hilton Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

The retreat was held on the theme, “Reclaiming our Story— Ibiaku History, Identity and Heritage.”

His comments followed President John Dramani Mahama’s description of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as “the gravest crime against humanity” in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

According to Amb. Prof. Roberts, he did not consider himself a victim of history but a survivor and beneficiary of the consequences of the slave trade as part of the African diaspora.

He said the slave trade used a strategy of dividing African communities, conquering them and exporting their human capital to other parts of the world.

“this gravest crime scattered our ancestors with a simple and evil strategy -- To divide, conquer and export the precious human capital abroad,” he said.

He noted that families were broken, names were lost and clans were weakened as Africans were forcibly transported to the shores of America, the Caribbean and other parts of the world.

Referring to President Mahama’s address to the UN General Assembly, Amb. Prof. Roberts said the President had spoken on behalf of the African Group during the proceedings.

He said 123 of the 178 member countries voted in favour of the resolution, while three voted against it and 52 abstained.

He said the resolution was adopted on the same day President Mahama stated that he could not think of a better way to honour the forebears of Africans than to have the majority of countries affirm that the trafficking and enslavement of nearly 13 million people constituted “the gravest crime against humanity.”

Amb. Prof. Roberts urged Africans to move beyond the divisions created by the slave trade and focus on building stronger families, communities and nations.

He said he would continue to promote the Ibiaku community’s history and identity at international forums.

In his closing remarks, Amb. Prof. Roberts said he would speak for Ibiaku at international platforms and urged the people of Ibiaku, Mkpat, in Akwa Ibom State, both at home and abroad, to work together to develop their community.

He also commended Amb. Dennis Ufot, a United Nations Peace Ambassador, for what he described as his integrity, dignity and leadership experience.

Amb. Prof. Roberts said with collective cooperation, Ibiaku could develop its resources and create a better future for its people.

“Ibiaku will no longer export her destiny, but will develop it to the full benefit of all,” he said.