African Leaders urged to build united continent for industrial development

The President of African Development Bank has called on African Leaders to practice true Federalism in their countries and not to concentrate power in the centre alone.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina stated this during the 40th anniversary Lecture of the Guardian newspaper held at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA in Lagos state with the Theme; For The World to Respect Africa.

Dr Adesina said that for the world to Respect Africa, we need to work on our development using our resources and not to depend on Western aid.

The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae in agreeing with Dr Adesina called on African Leaders to practice Federalism as a way to reduce friction within the component units.

“Federalism is the answer to all Africa’s problem, without true Federalism to all problems in Africa success is not guaranteed. 

Without true federalism, much of our infighting will still be there hindering progress. True Federalism requires greater innovation and adaptivity to suit the Circumstances of the individual federating nations”, Professor Osaghae stated.

A Health Practitioner at the event, Dr Tobor Agbogidi, also, noted that, the larger parts of Africa had battled for freedom from European colonialists for decades, while some countries won and some took too long in coming, adding that, this injustice still haunts Africa years after.

In his remarks, the representative of Lagos State government, Mrs Abimbola Bowale, commended the effort of the Guardian newspaper since its inception in their journalism work and reportage.

Hauwa M.