Buhari: Implementation, Not Planning, Remains Africa’s Challenge
Urges African leaders to unite
President Muhammadu Buhari has asserted that the problem with Africa as a continent and her member-nations remains implementation and not in planning, as various legislative bodies bring out good proposals while the executive arm fails in their implementation.
He added that it was obvious that the executive arms and legislative chambers would easily encounter well-drafted documents and initiatives, but implementing those proposals poses the problem.
Buhari, who made the remark while declaring open the 48th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, held at Imo Trade and Investment Centre, Owerri on Saturday, added 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”.
He continued, “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 recognises the full potential of its human capital and as a respected player on the global stage”.
The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN 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 wellbeing 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 President further remarked “I must commend 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 three African-centred international gatherings including the visit of two African heads of State”.
Governor 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”.
He continued “But one thing I have come to realise is that there is nothing wrong with Africa but there is something slightly wrong in our attitude and the way we do things. But I’m further worried by the fact that if we do not act quickly 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”.