President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday asserted that African nations will stand firm against external forces seeking to disrupt their unity.
President Tinubu made the assertion in his message of unity and resilience during the swearing-in ceremony of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in Accra.
“Never, never shall we harm others, and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve,” Tinubu declared as he addressed dignitaries and guests at the historic event in Accra.
Tinubu, who attended as a special guest of honour, lauded Ghana’s democratic maturity, highlighting the peaceful transition as a testament to the strength of African democracy.
He described the inauguration as a proud moment not only for Ghana but for the entire continent.
“This moment does more than symbolize another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society.
“It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours.
“Ghana has answered that question resoundingly,” Tinubu said.
Reflecting on the historical bonds between Ghana and Nigeria, Tinubu called for continued solidarity and cooperation among African nations.
He urged critics of the continent to acknowledge its progress rather than perpetuate outdated narratives of failure.
“We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace, ” Tinubu emphasized.
The Nigerian president praised the leadership qualities of his Ghanaian counterpart, describing President Mahama as a man of “patriotic vision and substance.”
Tinubu expressed confidence in Mahama’s ability to steer Ghana toward greater prosperity and pledged Nigeria’s unwavering support for its West African neighbour.
“My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed.
“The bond is strong and cannot be broken”, he assured Mahama.
Tinubu also invoked the legacy of African leaders such as Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and Nigeria’s founding fathers, calling on current leaders to draw inspiration from their vision of unity and progress.
“As Ghana draws inspiration and strength from Kwame Nkrumah, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who cherished the close relationship between our two nations,” he said.
The Nigerian President closed his remarks with a call for regional integration to address pressing challenges such as poverty, youth unemployment, and insecurity.
He expressed optimism about a future of shared prosperity for Africa, guided by the principles of dialogue and cooperation.
“Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity. God bless Ghana, Nigeria, ECOWAS, and our beloved Africa,” he said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
