BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
As Africa commemorates Africa Day, Senator Ned Nwoko of Nigeria has issued a stirring appeal for the continent to embrace bold structural reforms, continental unity, and assertive leadership — with Nigeria at the forefront.
Blending historical reckoning with a visionary roadmap, Nwoko called on African nations to move beyond ceremonial celebrations and take concrete steps toward self-determination, justice, and economic independence.
In a compelling statement marking the occasion, the senator emphasized that Africa’s progress has been persistently hindered by a cycle of dependency, disunity, and the lingering psychological trauma of colonialism and slavery.
“Psychological trauma — this is how I describe the silent loop that has held us captive,” he noted, warning that Africa must break free from foreign influence and take control of its destiny.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, Nwoko underscored the urgency of reparative justice and economic revitalization, advocating for Nigeria to lead this transformative agenda.
“The day we decide as a country to wake up to this expected leadership role, there will be some changes in Africa,” he declared.
Central to his vision is the creation of a legitimate and truly representative African Union Parliament — directly elected by the people — that goes beyond symbolism to become a platform for real policy-making and continental integration.
“Africa must be reorganized and refocused,” he asserted, urging practical reforms that secure borders, protect resources, and empower citizens.
Senator Nwoko further called for enhanced intra-African transportation, free movement of people, a unified currency, and even a common language — transformative ideas aimed at forging a coherent continental identity.
“Until that is done, we will not have people of Africa in one place talking about those things that are dear to us,” he said.
He also appealed to the African Diaspora, extending an open invitation to return, invest, and help build a self-sufficient continent anchored in African values. “Africa is big enough for all of us,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the need for homegrown solutions, Nwoko placed special emphasis on infrastructure, youth empowerment, civic leadership, and education as cornerstones of sustainable development.
He stressed that Africa’s future cannot rely on external actors: “Europeans cannot build our continent for us. We must do it for ourselves.”
More than a political speech, Senator Nwoko framed his message as a generational mission. “This is not merely a political aspiration — it is a generational duty. The time is now. The mission is ours. The hope for a stronger, united Africa lives in each one of us.”
Africa Day, celebrated each year on May 25 to honor the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, served as a fitting backdrop for this powerful call to action — one that places Nigeria at the center of a renewed African renaissance.
