President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the problem with Africa as a continent has never been planning but in implementation of policies.
President Buhari who was represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo made the mark while declaring open the 48th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, held at Imo Trade and Investment Owerri on Saturday, October 21, 2017, adding that, “what we need to consistently do now is to put action behind our visions and missions as time is no longer on our side as the countdown to 2063 has long started.”
His Words, “The theme of this 48th CPA Conference, African Agenda 2063: Vision Master Plan, presents yet another crucial reflection point for those who today have the privilege of being Africa political elite. The Agenda 2063 spelt out a vision of an Africa that is prosperous, integrated, peaceful, secured and a continent that recognizes the full potential of its human capital and as a respected player on the global stage.”
Prof. Osinbajo stressed, “The Africa we want is an Africa that works for its people, one that ensures that Africans can enjoy decent standard of living and security, freedom and one where men and women have equal assets and treatment, with respect to all economic, political and social good”.
He added “Distinguished legislators, the Power and the responsibility for rewriting the story of Africa lies in our hands; the people of our various Countries have elected us to chart a course to the Africa that they want and desire. Our democracy serves no purpose if it does not advance the well-being of our people because we were elected to think, plan and act for the interest of the majority. We will be charlatans of the greatest order if our leadership does not provide for the present and secure the future of those that elected us.”
The Vice-President further remarked, “I must commend His Excellency,
the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for the leadership
he has shown and for the great work he is doing in Imo State, and for
his excellent hospitality always. In the true spirit of African
brotherhood and spirit, Imo State has in the past two weeks hosted not
less than 3 African Centred international gatherings including the
visit of two African heads of State.”
Governor Rochas Okorocha in his Speech at the event said, “one day
Africa will sing a new song and we believe one day, we shall occupy
our rightful place in the comity of nations. Therefore your meeting
this time is apt and timely. It is a struggle to find the way forward
for the African nations.”
“But one thing I have come to realize is
that there is nothing wrong with Africa but there is something
slightly wrong with Africans in our attitude and the way we do things.
But I’m further worried by the fact that if we do not act quick under
the present ugly situation which our condition points out to us, we
might be destroying the psyche of the generations of Africans yet
unborn.”
For him “We are passing through a very difficult moment which many
great nations of the world have passed through and we are not an
exemption but we will one day in this our lifetime take our rightful
place. My concern is about the youths of Africa. It might be shocking
to all of you to know that African youths are so frustrated. We have
not lived up to expectation of what we can do for the African Child.
That will also anchor on my feelings that education must be given it’s
rightful place if the youths of Africa must find and take up their
positions.”
LEADERSHIP.