At an event commemorating Angola’s 2024 National Founder and Hero’s Day, former President Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized the importance of remembering Africa’s past leaders and their contributions to the continent’s development.
He also stressed the need for Africans to focus on achieving economic freedom, noting that pan-Africanism has become more focused on political movements than economic issues.
Obasanjo spoke on the topic “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course of Agostinho Neto,” highlighting the significance of Neto’s legacy as Angola’s first president, who played a crucial role in securing the country’s independence from Portugal. “One of the things that we tend to do in Africa is to forget the past and our leaders who have made numerous contributions we are enjoying.
We should thank you most sincerely. Pan-Africanism is a movement and ideology. Unfortunately, it emphasizes solidarity in our coming together, and later on, it becomes political. It pays more attention to political movements than economic reasons. This is where I see a cavity in the form of Pan-Africanism ideology.”
Angola’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, Mr. José Bamóquina Zau, also addressed the gathering, calling on the new generation of Africans to adopt the Pan-Africanist ideology championed by Neto and other African heroes. “President Neto has a historical and emotional connection with Lagos State, as it was during the regime of Murtala Muhammed that he was honoured by the University of Lagos in 1970.
This award from the University of Lagos commended his political courage in Angola and Africa. The Federal Republic of Nigeria provided financial support so that the first government of Angola could duly function. As a result, we Angolans are grateful for the strength of this brotherhood. President Neto’s dream to have a free Africa has been fulfilled. History has its political, sociological, and psychological dynamics. We hope the new generation, scholars, and those present here today can take good note of the essence of the late President Neto’s Pan-Africanism ideology.”
The event, organized by the Angolan community in Lagos State, honored Dr. Agostinho Neto’s birth on September 17, 1922. Neto’s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and economic freedom in Africa’s continued development.
