AFRICA HAS COME OF AGE!
March 29
10:30
2023
On January 11, 1976, the late Nigerian head of state, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, addressed an extra-ordinary summit of heads of state and government of the OAU in Addis Ababa. His speech was entitled: “Africa has come of Age.” He said:
“Africa has come of age. It is no longer under the orbit of any extra-continental power. It should no longer take orders from any country, however powerful. The fortunes of Africa are in our hands to make or mar. For too long, we have been kicked around; for two long, we have been treated like adolescents who cannot discern their interests and act accordingly. For too long it has been presumed that the African needs outside ‘experts’ to tell him who are his friends and who are his enemies.”
Gen Murtala Muhammed is longer with us, and he would never know this: Africa is still being spoon-fed; African leaders still look to outside ‘experts’ to tell them how to manage their economy, provide adequate security for their people, provide good governance, how to bring down poverty and curb the rampant corruption ravaging virtually all African countries.
Note: More than 40 African leaders were in Washington DC in August 2014 to attend President Barack Obama’s three-day Africa summit. ‘Experts,’ as you would imagine, lectured them on trade, investment, stability and growth and counter-terrorism. They heard of the US determination to push out China by putting good money into infrastructure and the exploitation of nature resources such as oil and solid minerals.
I would imagine our leaders salivating over the hugely enticing prospects of American dollars pouring into their national coffers. And apparently calculating how they would pocket most of it. They also heard from the leader of the free world for the nth time about their dismal record on good governance, free, fair and credible elections, human rights and their commitment to a new brand of democracy sans political pluralism. And they chuckled, feeling good about it all. Recognition comes in many guises and colours, believe me.
Me: Nigeria is now becoming very capable. We must dispense with the days of being told, and embark on the days of deciding for selves.
200 million strong, cannot be a slave to any power n the world.
It does not matter which side your patch is positioned. The entire Nigerian real estate is irrelevant to progress. What is key is what we do on it.
I predict that our days of Glory as Africans and Nigerians, are back! Our mistakes are ours to correct, let the world know that we have come of Age!!
Our martyrs must feel the beginning of their life quest.
