Tinubu Urges African Unity, Peace to Achieve Sustainable Growth
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has called on African countries to prioritize peace and unity in order to achieve collective sustainable growth. Tinubu made the appeal at a dinner in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where he is currently on a three-day official visit.
According to Tinubu, the old legacies of nepotism must give way to unity and peace, which are non-negotiable for Africa’s development. “We better roll our sleeves, put on our nickers and move for peace, stability and progress,” he said.
Tinubu emphasized that Africa must take charge of solving its problems, rejecting external expectations that only breed conflict and instability. “We have to work together to make peace the focus of our development to develop. Without peace, you cannot develop,” he said.
The President also cited the massive brain drain Africa is suffering due to poverty, archaic judicial systems, and tribalism, saying leaders must address these root causes to foster development. He appealed to international organizations to invest more in African research and development, stating that the continent has a lot of youths yearning for progress.
Tinubu also addressed the long-standing conflicts in the Congo and Sahel, saying that collective action is required to achieve peace. “We definitely will continue to promote peace and stability throughout the continent,” he said.
In his remarks, President Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea thanked Tinubu for accepting his invitation to visit and praised Nigeria’s extensive experience in agriculture, trade, tourism, and economic development. Mbasogo expressed his desire for a mutually beneficial exchange of experiences between the two countries and emphasized the need for African solidarity to address challenges such as maritime crime, security threats, and economic diversification.
The visit is seen as a significant milestone in the history of Africa and particularly West Africa, between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Tinubu’s remarks are a clear call to action for African leaders to prioritize peace, unity, and sustainable growth.
