Obijackson Foundation receives commendation for promoting cultural renaissance
Professor Patrick Lumumba, Kenyan activist and iconic public speaker, has commended the Obijackson Foundation for promoting African cultural renaissance through its annual ‘Face of Okija Cultural Festival.’
Lumumba who delivered a special lecture at this year’s event and also urged leaders across the continent to embrace the ideas espoused by the Obijackson Foundation which is lifting and empowering young people across Anambra State and the entire South East region.
He noted that the Foundation is making gradual but steady gains in building capacity and rewriting the narrative of the region.
“Africa will not develop with bang. It will develop village by village; town by town and state by state. It will take men with ideas to do what Obijackson Foundation is doing. And these ideas, I must say, deserve a place in our University curriculum,” Lumumba said.
Lumumba said that the African continent looks to Nigeria for direction and inspiration, adding that de- mocracy on the continent will depends, to a large extent, on how Nigeria manages its democracy.
He urged Africa to focus on the things that matter; the things that build and grow the continent and the things that impact the people.
Speaking on democracy and the political process in Africa Lumumba said “by February 2019, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect their leaders. And I must state that the day Nigeria gets it right, Africa gets it right.”
“Young people in Nigeria and across Africa must identify what is in their best interest and actively participate in the electoral process. They must understand the significance and power of their votes.
“But unfortunately, the electorate is easily persuaded with bribes. We must begin to interrogate how we use our votes. Who and what determine the direction we vote.
“What are the policies on the table? Are we voting people for what they have done, for what they can do or for the hand- outs they offer before the elections?” he asked.