CurrentReport Blog Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged African nations to unite and pool their resources to form stronger pan-African economic ties. Obasanjo made this call on Tuesday in Lagos during the commemoration of Angola’s National Founder and Hero’s Day 2024, an event that honors the legacy of Agostinho Neto, Angola’s first president, who proclaimed the country’s independence on November 11, 1975.
The event, themed “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course by Agostinho Neto,” was organized by the Embassy of Angola in Nigeria. Obasanjo, a former chairman of the African Union (AU), delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation among African nations to achieve true growth and development.
“One of the things we have been doing is struggling for the economic emancipation of Africa, but we have not done this too well,” Obasanjo remarked. He further explained the historical struggles Africa has faced, from slavery to colonialism and exploitation, which have contributed to the continent’s economic challenges. He stressed that African nations must now focus on “economic pan-Africanism” to achieve economic liberation.
The former Nigerian leader also highlighted the significant role played by former Cuban President Fidel Castro in supporting Angola’s fight for independence, praising his contributions. Additionally, Obasanjo acknowledged Nigeria’s role in aiding Angola’s liberation efforts, citing the $20 million financial support provided by the Nigerian government during the struggle for independence.
Obasanjo’s remarks resonate with the ongoing push for African nations to collaborate more closely in their economic endeavors, ensuring that the continent benefits from its own resources and strengthens its global standing.
