RECLAIMING DEMOCRACY FOR AUTHENTIC AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT: REMEMBERING TAJUDEEN ABDULRAHEEM AND ABUBAKAR MOMOH
INVITATION TO MEMORIAL IN HONOUR OF LATE TAJUDEEN ABDUL-RAHEEM AND ABUBAKAR MOMOH
THEME: RECLAIMING DEMOCRACY FOR AUTHENTIC AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT: REMEMBERING TAJUDEEN ABDULRAHEEM AND ABUBAKAR MOMOH
On behalf of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), we extend to you a cordial invitation to the memorial event dedicated to celebrating the lives and legacies of two remarkable individuals, Tajudeen Abdul-raheem and Abubakar Momoh.
Tajudeen Abdulraheem and Abubakar Momoh were distinguished by their unwavering commitment to radical activism and their profound impact on social movements. As revolutionary theorists and practical organizers, they embraced contentious politics as a vital tool for achieving democratic transformation. They embodied the true essence of the "scholar-activist," balancing the ideals of pan-African socialism with the practicalities of working within diverse institutional settings, including academia, government, and international civil society. Throughout their careers, Abdulraheem and Momoh actively supported, mentored, and engaged with grassroots movements, including student organizations, trade unions, and informal sector associations. Their efforts laid the foundation for many of Nigeria's leading civil society and development organizations.
The 2025 memorial, under the theme “Reclaiming Democracy For Authentic Africa Development: Remembering Tajudeen Abdul-raheem and Abubakar Momoh” seeks to honour their intellectual contributions and activist legacies by revisiting the idea that democracy must not only be about elections and institutions, but about restoring agency to African people and aligning governance with the continent’s historical, cultural, and economic aspirations. At a time when democratic institutions face severe strain, this forum will offer a space to reflect on how African development can be made more accountable, equitable, and transformative.
Bringing together multiple generations of activists, scholars, and civic leaders, this one-day memorial forum seeks to interrogate how the legacies of Tajudeen Abdulraheem and Abubakar Momoh can forge new links between and serve to rejuvenate contemporary social movement and civil society organizing. However, the event will take into account the realities of contemporary Nigeria as a discursive starting point.
This Event is scheduled to be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday 25th June 2025
Venue: The Pearl Jabi Lake Plot 29, Alex Ekwueme Way, Opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja.
Time: 9am- 2pm
The event will feature lead presentations, Panel discussions, providing ample opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration. Participants will include representatives from civil society organizations, academia, international development partners, and the media.
Please let us know if you will be able to attend in person or virtually before Friday, June 21, 2025 to enable us to make adequate preparations. For confirmation, please contact Peter Yohanna on pyohanna@cddwestafrica.org or 09053019517 and Olaniyan Titilayo tolaniyan@cddwestafrica.org or 08082258079
Thank you for considering this invitation, and we eagerly anticipate your positive response.
Warm regards,
Dauda Garuba, PhD
Director
Centre for Democracy and Development