From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu declared on Tuesday that African nations will remain resolute against external forces attempting to undermine their unity.
He stated this during his message of solidarity at the inauguration of Ghana’s President John Mahama in Accra.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration and resilience among African countries to foster peace and development, urging leaders to prioritise dialogue over conflict.
“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 at the historic event in Accra.
Tinubu, who was the 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 symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to rest the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly,” Tinubu said.
In light of the historical ties between Ghana and Nigeria, Tinubu urged African states to remain united and work together, asking those who criticise the continent to recognise its achievements rather than rehash old failure stories.
“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 emphasised.
President Tinubu praised the leadership qualities of his Ghanaian counterpart, describing President Mahama as a man of “patriotic vision and substance.”
He 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.
He 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.
Tinubu concluded 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.