From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has underscored the critical role of peace, stability, and democracy in driving Africa’s progress and development.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Tinubu emphasized that without peace, progress is unattainable.
He called on African nations to take ownership of their challenges, rejecting external influences that foster conflict and instability.
During his visit to Equatorial Guinea, President Tinubu engaged in discussions with President Mbasogo before the dinner, resulting in the signing of agreements covering various sectors, including petroleum and security.
Tinubu urged African leaders to prioritize peace and stability, asserting that “the time is now” for action.
He highlighted the critical issues of brain drain and talent loss stemming from poverty, outdated judicial systems, and tribalism, calling for urgent reforms to drive development. Furthermore, he appealed to international organizations for increased investment in African research and development, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address ongoing conflicts in regions like the Congo and the Sahel
President Tinubu said: “We have to work together to make peace the focus of our development in order to really develop. Without peace you cannot develop.
“Our problem is not that we don’t know what to do, we identify them, we understand what to do, our problem is how and when we should do them and I say the time is now.
“We better roll our sleeves, put on our nickers and move for peace, stability and progress
“Why are we complaining about healthcare problem if our doctors cannot have a home in their continent, if our nurses are faced with destitution, if our judicial system is archaic, if tribe is the hero in the middle of nothing?
“Tribalism has no place in Africa, we have to take the continent and take it strongly and… it together, help one another, develop our resources for our progress, find solutions among ourselves, dwell on research and develolement, reward those research and development programmes, bring out the results, don’t sell it out.
“To the international organizations, we say thank you, we are partners, we’ll continue to partner, but put more than half of the results of research and development here in the continent, we have a lot of youths to cater for, millions of them yearning for progress”, he said.
The President also highlighted the need for collective action to address conflicts in regions such as the Congo Republic and the Sahel.
“Our gathering here today is a significant milestone in the history of Africa and particularly West Africa, between Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
“I am very happy to have listened to the very deep thinking coming from my brother, the President of Equatorial Guinea on Africa.
“Yes, it is Africa that must solve its own problems. They want Africa wretched and raggedy, full of conflicts, antagonism of one another, but we’re saying no. Peace, stability and democracy are the way forward for a progressive development and we agreed on that.
“We definitely will continue to promote peace and stability throughout the continent.
“Some others of our brothers in shackles, are still there at each other’s throat. We must work together, do everything possible to promote peace between them.
“What we are seeing in the middle of the region, Congo Republic and other areas of the Sahel is not pleasant for our today and promising for our tomorrow”, he said.
In his remarks earlier, President Mbasogo expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for accepting his invitation to visit Equatorial Guinea, hailing the strong relations between the two nations.
He reiterated his satisfaction with the growing cooperation between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, citing areas such as education, mining, hydrocarbons, trade, defense, agriculture, and investment.
He praised Nigeria’s extensive experience in agriculture, trade, tourism, and economic development, and expressed his desire for a mutually beneficial exchange of experiences between the two countries.
The Equatorial Guinean leader also emphasized the need for African solidarity, calling for stronger regional and international cooperation to address challenges such as maritime crime, security threats, and economic diversification.
President Mbasogo stressed the importance of strengthening constitutional institutions, fighting against injustices, and advocating for greater African representation on the global stage, particularly on the UN Security Council.
He concluded by thanking President Tinubu for his meaningful visit, expressing confidence that the new spirit of cooperation between their nations will deepen their ties and promote mutual benefit for their people.