Thabo Mbeki, Gowon, Atiku, Kashim and Other Dignitaries Grace Launch of Amandla Institute
VP Shettima Urges African Leaders to Prioritize Indigenous Solutions at Fayemi Symposium
By Usman A Harande
Lagos, Nigeria – Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, delivered a powerful message at the Dr. Kayode Fayemi Commemorative Symposium and the official launch of the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement.
Themed “Renewing the Pan-African Ideal for the Changing Times: The Policy and Leadership Challenges and Opportunities,” the high-profile event featured former South African President Thabo Mbeki as the keynote speaker. Other dignitaries in attendance included former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and other prominent political and intellectual figures.
Call for Self-Reliance in African Leadership.
Delivering President Tinubu’s message, Vice President Shettima emphasized the urgent need for Africa to break free from its dependence on foreign blueprints and instead craft homegrown policies tailored to the continent’s unique challenges.
“African leaders must stop clinging to outdated habits of relying on external plans. The continent needs leaders who wield policy as a surgical blade, not as a mere slogan,” Shettima stated.
He further underscored the pressing need for Africa to adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape, warning that the world “is not waiting for Africa to catch up.”
“We are in the age of machines. We cannot combat our development challenges with spears and arrows while the rest of the world is using missiles and tanks,” he added.
Amandla Institute: A New Dawn for Policy and Leadership.
The symposium also marked the official launch of the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement, an initiative aimed at fostering strategic policy-making and leadership development across Africa.
With intellectual heavyweights and political stalwarts in attendance, the event reinforced the need for proactive and innovative governance strategies to propel Africa forward in the face of evolving global challenges.
The discourse at the symposium aligns with growing calls for Africa to prioritize technology, industrialization, and economic self-sufficiency. The presence of influential African leaders highlights the increasing recognition of the urgent need for policy-driven leadership in tackling the continent’s development hurdles.
As Africa navigates the complexities of the modern era, events like these serve as crucial platforms for reshaping the future of governance, economy, and leadership across the continent.
About The Author
