African Unity: Nigeria’s Defence Chief Calls for Collective Action to Halt Hostile Treatment of Fellow Africans

In a call to action, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged African countries to unite and break down barriers, following what he described as the “inhumane treatment” of fellow Africans seeking passage through borders across the continent. The plea came at a dinner event in Abuja, Nigeria, where Musa, alongside other prominent figures, emphasized the need for African countries to work together to promote unity and development.

Musa expressed his disappointment at encountering unfriendly receptions while traveling across Africa, stating, “I have had the privilege of travelling to most African countries and I bet if you appear in any of them, you will believe you are home because the feeling is just the same. We walk, talk and act alike. It is, therefore, important that we embrace ourselves.” He emphasized the need for Africans to work together, noting, “Africans should be able to travel across counties and be received as family members. That is the only way we can grow.”

Senator Ned Nwoko, representative of Delta North Senatorial District, also weighed in, urging the removal of barriers and introducing a single currency for trade among African countries. He highlighted the natural resources available in Africa, noting, “Africa is just one continent divided by Europeans many years ago. I am sure many of us know about the partition of Africa alongside economic interest. There are no natural resources you can find in any part of the world that we don’t have in the continent. But we have remained perpetually poor.”

Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, took a more poignant approach, emphasizing the importance of peace in achieving meaningful development. She called for a massive sensitization campaign to promote unity and tolerance, urging Africans to “embrace peace and focus on issues that unite rather than divide us.”

The African countries’ future depends on their collective ability to work together, break down barriers, and foster a culture of unity and cooperation. Will they heed the call to action, or allow conflicts to continue dividing the continent? Only time will tell, but for now, the words of General Musa and other prominent figures serve as a reminder of the importance of African unity and the need for collective action.