The Permanent Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Afolabi Oke has urged African leaders to maintain peace and stability as a foundation for sustained economic development across the continent.
Ambassador Oke explained that the impacts of peace on economic growth are fundamental, saying “no nation can thrive economically without ensuring the safety of its citizens and their property.”
According to him, economic prosperity is deeply rooted in peace and security, making them essential pillars for national progress.
Ambassador Afolabi Oke made this known during the 14th Pan-African Leadership Symposium & Honors PALESH 2025 in Lagos, South Western Nigeria.
He emphasised the crucial role of traditional rulers in national security apparatuses, advocating for their greater engagement in fostering peaceful communities.
He maintained that security is a collective responsibility, urging African nations to collaborate in protecting their citizens and preventing external interference in their security structures.
“Government should understand that security is everyone’s responsibility. We need to join hands within every region on the African continent to take the security of the people very seriously and prevent external actors from infiltrating our security apparatuses for their selfish reasons. Let’s come together to protect the security of our nations.” he emphasized.
On her part, Senator Grace Bent, speaking on “The Nexus Between Governance and Nation Building,” highlighted the interdependence of democracy, good governance, and nation-building.
She underscored the importance of transparency, the rule of law, accountability, freedom of information, and active citizen participation for effective governance.
“Government institutions have to be strengthened to be corruption-free,” she said.
Senator Bent also harped the vital role of women’s inclusion in decision-making, asserting that nations excluding women from governance are destined to fail.
Nollywood actors Bimbo Akintola and Woli Arole urged African leaders to prioritize citizen welfare and well-being, advocating for policies that serve the people, not just self-interest.
They reiterated the importance of unity among leaders and citizens, stating that collective action is crucial for achieving security, peace, and national development.
“Let there be unity among African leaders and the citizens,” they said. “A lot will be achieved when there’s unity, security, and peace…If we Africans unite as one, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. The moment the leaders begin to think about the people and carry them along in all their activities, the more patriotic the people become in playing their roles of national development.”
The symposium, organized by the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council UNIPGC, under the theme “Adaptive Leadership and Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for Consolidating Peaceful Coexistence in Africa,” attracted prominent figures including a representative of Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traore, Cote d’Ivoire presidential candidate Ousmane Camara, Ambassador Carlos Sousa Secretary General of UNIPGC, Canada, Dr. Jonathan (UNIPGC 2nd global president and permanent representative to the United Nations), and Professor Roland Otaru.
Participants at the African conference included heads of state, policymakers, business and religious leaders, and civil society representatives from across Africa.
The event included the induction of UNIPGC council members, lectures, awards presentations, and cultural displays.
Shakirat Sadiq
Comments are closed.