The Osun State Government, through its Centre for Black  Culture and International Understanding ( a category 2 Unesco Centre), in conjunction with Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), PANAFSTRAG and the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation is organising an International Conference on Slavery, Slave Trade and Their Consequences.

The Conference, to be held in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria from August 22-26,  2010, is being convened to discuss and advance the frontiers of knowledge by exploring the following issues:   Slavery as a social and economic institution in agrarian Afican society; the introduction, ramification, organization and impact of Trans Saharan Slave Trade and revising and updating knowledge on the various aspects of Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. It is expected that the Conference will open up new areas of scholarship on slavery and slave trade and  expand the body of literature by making substantial contributions to the historiography of slave trade and lead to other avenues for research in this area.

Sub-themes to be explored at the Conference include: Historiography of Slavery and Slave Trade; Regional Perspectives on Slavery and Slave Trade; Globalization and New Forms of Enslavement; Enslavement and Global Africa Diaspora; Slave Market and Routes; Monuments, Relics and Tourism as well as Recocilation, Reparation and Rehabilitation. A statement issued by the Central Planning Conmmittee says response to the Conference by eminent scholars, specialists and activists has been enthusiastic. Respected and erudite scholars such as Prof. Toyin Falola, Prof. (Emeritus) J. F Ade Ajayi, Prof. E.J Alagoa, Prof. Paul Lovejoy, Prof. Felix Chami, Prof. Bolanle Awe and many others will participate at the Conference.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has promised to give full support to  the Central Planning Committee of the International Conference as it prepares to hold the event in August. The governor made the pledge while receiving the Committee’s report on the planning and execution of the Conference. Prince Oyinlola who expressed confidence in the Committee  said the ‘conference is  important and necessary within the context of preserving our history  and documenting our experiences.’ He said his decision to host the Conference was informed by the position and role of Osun State in the cultural space of Nigeria, Africa and the entire world.

Responding,Chairman of the Committee, Professor  Abi Dere Faka expressed the readiness of the Committee to hold a successful Conference. He said that necessary logistics are being put in place to achieve this. Membership of the Committee is drawn from the academia, NGOs, CBAAC, PANAFSRAG and the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and National Orientation.