Obasanjo Highlights African Amnesia Towards Influential Past Leaders

Obasanjo Highlights African Amnesia Towards Influential Past Leaders

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized Africans for not valuing the contributions of past leaders who have significantly advanced their nations. Speaking at an event hosted by the Angolan community in Lagos to celebrate Angola’s 2024 National Founder and Hero’s Day, Obasanjo addressed the topic: “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course of Agostinho Neto…..CONTINUE READING 

The event, held annually on September 17, honors Dr. Agostinho Neto, Angola’s first President and a pivotal figure in the country’s fight for independence from Portugal. Neto, a writer and politician born on September 17, 1922, played a crucial role in Angola’s liberation.

Obasanjo highlighted that while Africa has achieved political independence, it must now strive for economic freedom. He lamented the common tendency among Africans to overlook the legacies of their past leaders.

He remarked that although pan-Africanism began as a unifying ideology, it has largely evolved into a political movement, often at the expense of addressing economic challenges. “In Africa, we have a tendency to forget the past and the leaders who have contributed to our progress,” Obasanjo stated. “Pan-Africanism was intended to unite us, but it has become overly focused on political aspects, neglecting crucial economic issues. This shift represents a significant gap in the pan-Africanism ideology.”