Africa Day is celebrated annually on 25 May within the African continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963 and the African Union in 2002 and the progress made by the continent since then to advance democracy, peace, stability and socio-economic development.
As Nigeria joins other African countries in celebrating this year’s Africa Day celebration, Nigerian leaders must begin to look beyond personal interest and work towards the growth and development of Nigeria nay the African continent.
Africa is in dire need of leaders that have the interest of the continent at heart. We are in a time where the continent is experiencing many problems. Africa is currently in a quagmire due to the unavailability of sincere leaders. Leaders who can speak from their hearts. Today in Africa, there is so much poverty, hunger, insecurity, poor education, poor health-care and many more.
The problems can be arrested if the leaders are persons who are determined to change the economic fortunes of the people. Africa must begin to work in peace and harmony. We must begin to shun inferiority complex. We must shun corruption and lack of dishonesty, because that is Africa’s main problem today.
It is rather unfortunate that instead of the leaders in Africa developing the continent, our leaders are looting from our people to develop foreign nations outside Africa. We must understand that we have the responsibility of developing Africa. The continent needs leaders who are determined to wipe away unemployment, poverty, lack of security and terrorism.
The leaders of Africa must understand that terrorism is as a result of poverty, occasioned by unemployment. A man who has not eaten has the tendency to carry out havoc on other members of the society. And so, until we begin to think about our brothers and sisters, only then will the African continent move forward. Only then we can liberate our people from poverty that has ravaged our people like a wild fire. Only then can we win the war against insecurity and focus on how we can develop our intellectuals.
As a continent, we must speak with one big voice, fight for a common course. The Africa Day celebration affords us an opportunity to be united. It should bring about development for our people especially the younger generation. Leaders in Africa must shun violence during elections and begin to embrace a more civil approach during elections.
Africa is blessed with rich natural resources, and so, leaders of the African continent must make good use of the resources. Never again must we allow our citizens suffer untold hardship. Never again must we allow our brothers and sisters experience great difficulty as a result of lack of basic social amenities. Leaders in the African continent must begin to think more about serve to the people. They must begin to see leadership as a call to service and not an avenue to loot for their many generations yet unborn.
As we celebrate this historic day, may it be celebrated with love and patriotism for the African continent.
Happy Africa Day!
Prince Thomas Abi jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator
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