Pan-African Leadership Awards: Envoy solicits African unity, excellence

African nations have been urged to pursue a path of unity, integration and excellence – if they want to be globally competitive.

Ambassador of the Gambia, His Excellency, Mohamadou Musa Njie, gave the clarion call at the 8th Pan African Leadership Awards And Nation Building  held in Abuja.

Nije stated that Africa’s problem is rooted in disunity, which if properly corrected would help to emancipate the people.

He proposed that African leaders should go back to the policy of ensuring that citizens are taught Civic Education in primary schools.

The Gambian diplomat said this would help to empower them with basic knowledge of building enabling societies where peace and unity are the watch words.

On his part, he said he believes and breathes Africa and beckoned on all Africans to do same.

Chairman of the occasion, Comdr.(Dr) Lucky Shedrack Agediga, Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) said the all-important annual conference had helped to draw local and global attention to the state of the continent.

He emphasized the fact that academic, professional and political conversations with stakeholders would help incubate and unleash homegrown pragmatic solutions for the birthing of the Africa of our dream and pride.

Challenge

Gen Augustine Ogunedo, (Rtd.) Managing Partner,Def Strategy and Security Consultants Ltd. (DSSCL), in a keynote address, observed that the country’s dilemma was hinged on two major monsters namely, corruption and non observance of the rule of law.

He said there was the urgent need to check the spate of lawlessness, wanton waste of human lives through kidnapping,terrorism and banditry that have become our lifestyle of late.

He urged Africans to come together to present a strong front in fighting all manner of insecurity bedeviling all African Nations – of which Nigeria is most affected.

The theme for this year’s lecture was: THE AFRICA WE WANT- Addressing the Challenges of Leadership and Insecurities in Africa.

It had In attendance many well meaning Africans and Nigerian leaders, notable philanthropists, stakeholders in  Africa’s development project, pan Africanists, entrepreneurs, heads of women and youths groups as well as concerned Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).