Introduction

To mark Africa Day 2025, that took place on the 25^th of May, Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) celebrated with students of Federal University of Petroleum Resource (FUPRE) on the 26^th of May 2025. The theme of the day which was “Justice for Africans and People of Africa Decent through Reparation” was a great opportunity to speak to young Africa students, especially students in petroleum institution as FUPRE.

CODAF’s Intervention

During the event, Mr. Endurance Oriakhogba, Project Officer (CODAF) spoke on energy democracy and the need to demand a “Just energy Transition” for the Africa people. In his statement, he added that energy is the driving force of true modern civilization, and Africa is a storehouse for various forms of energy. This is why Africa has become a hotspot for greedy western capitalist, whose aim is to enslave and plunder the continents’ resources.

 He stated the need for Africans to define true development and not a borrowed theory of development (from the western perspective) which seeks to promote slavery mentality in the people of Africa. Furthermore, he urged students to question the efficiency of certain theories, most especially false solutions to climate change that are taught in tertiary institutions such as blow Hydrogen, solar radiation management technology, algae-based carbon capture, net zero, to mention but a few. He also highlighted that some African school curriculum are not free from elements that promotes slave mentality within the uprising generation, making reference to the shortcomings and highlighting the theories of dependency and modernization that is being taught in tertiary institutions as theories of development.

 He added, “The only true solutions to combating climate change, is to adopt the concept of Just Energy Transition”. Still speaking, Mr. Endurance stated that, Africa as a whole have been overexploited of her resources, rights, belief systems, environment and energy. He concluded that to be truly free from the claws of neo-colonization and energy deprivation, Africans needs to fight for energy democracy and Just Energy Transition.

     Mr. Raphael, in his speech, said that for Africa’s to be truly liberated, the mindsets of the average African needs to be transformed. Our hardship has subjected us to see basic needs as proofs of development. He emphasized that “Energy is a Right not a Commodity”, stating that energy in Africa which is meant for the people is now sold to the people at high cost. He concluded by saying, energy is a commodity that only the rich and political elites can afford in Africa.

              Responding to questions on how young people can make meaningful contributions to ensuring that Just Energy Transition comes to light in Africa. Miss. Okeoghene, stated that, young generation needs to first understand the standpoint of the Africa terrain as regarding climate change issues and energy exploitation and ensure they become active voices in true pan-African movement, in other words, a movement that seeks to resist oppression and fight for a livable Just world. They should dislodge the mentality of western supremacy and embrace their cultural heritage.

Testimonies from Students

Mr. Otomewo Ivan a student of the department of environmental management and toxicology commended CODAF for the mind transformative event, stating that he fully understands the need to demand for energy democracy, adding that “Africa will be much better if we our energy is used solely for our internal development”

Miss. Gabriel Faithful a student of mathematics expressed her joy of participating in the celebration, stating that she really loves the Pan African movement. She stressed that “western influence in Africa energy wealth has done more harm than good to both the environment and our economic”.

Miss. Emmanuella Onyenue, a student of the department of analytical chemistry expressed concerns about the false solution of geo-engineering in addressing climate change, stating that the “Just energy transition- a shift to renewable energy is a perfect and reasonable solution to combating climate change”.

The event ended with an admonition from Mrs. Enyioko Ivy Chidinma, an assistant coordinator of the Zero Waste Ambassador (ZEWA) FUPRE. In her closing remarks, she urged the students to be active contributors to researches which seek to improve renewable energy technologies.