UKAPES in a recent collaboration with Lewisham Southwark College, London launched a new book written by a former teacher of the college, Dr Adebisi Adewole who is also currently a professor of Procurement Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of the West of Scotland. The book titled: Logistics and Global Value Chains in Africa: The Impact on Trade and Development was launched at the Atrium, Southwark campus of the College in London. Thelaunch which was well attended attracted local influencers such as local government councilors, leaders from African business community, academics, journalists and a host of Doctoral scholars across UK universities.
Speaking on his new book, co-edited with Professor John Struthers of the University of the West of Scotland, Professor Adewole said the greatest motivation for writing the book was the lack of focus on Africa by previous authors in the field of Logistics infrastructure development and Global Value Chains in Africa.
He noted there was no single academic text on Logistics infrastructure development for Africa. He said before his book, scholars had been relying on logistics texts written by western experts with a focus on western models. Professor Adewole then gave a chapter-by-chapter summary of the book and explained to the audience how to purchase copies from Palgrave and Amazon websites.
In her opening speech, the chairperson of the occasion, Bilkisu Labaran, of the BBC, a strong UKAPES supporter and consultant emphasized the significance of the timely publication of the book at a time when there is urgent need for Africa’s logistics infrastructure development in order to keep up with the international business community to facilitate trade both within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world. She emphasized the urgent need for Africa’s development and underpinned the contributions of logistics to stimulating economic and infrastructural advancement on the African continent. Labaran urged Africans in the diaspora to ensure that they contribute to African development through their various skills and vocations. She cited her own example of leading the establishment of a BBC broadcasting services initiative in Pidgin English, Yoruba and Ibo languages to service West Africa. Labaran expressed the view that language and communication were the key ingredients for efficient and effective business collaborations and trade agreements.
Also, at the event Martin Machado and Joanna Norton both strong UKAPES supporters, presented their work on educationally disadvantaged youths in Africa and other parts of the world. In his vote of thanks, Martin Machado mentioned the impact of the launch on UKAPES and Lewisham Southwark College, particularly contributing to the college’s ethos of the promotion of employability skills and community development.
Joyce Elemson and Dr Toyin Coker, both lecturers organised the launch in collaboration with Lewisham Southwark College.