Obasanjo Calls For Co-operation Among Blacks

Obasanjo Calls For Co-operation Among Blacks
November 1, 1999 

Jerome Hule, PANA Correspondent 

OHIO, US (PANA) - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has advocated stronger co-operation between Africans on the continent and those in the Diaspora for the continent's rejuvenation.

He said Sunday in the US that his country offers itself as the beach head for the rejuvenation project.

The Nigerian leader made the suggestion in an address titled: "Nigeria: Home for African-Americans in the 21st Century" at a special convocation hosted by Wilberforce University in Ohio State, to confer him with a honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.

Obasanjo noted that even before the emergence of modern nation states in Africa, some African-Americans had shown disposition to return to their continent of origin.

He added that since Nigeria's independence from Britain in 1960, the country had begun to attract the attention of black people outside Africa as a place to invest their money and knowledge.

"Nigeria held a promise, which was widely advertised by the large number of Nigerians who flocked the United States to study and distinguish themselves in their endeavours," he said. "Nigeria appears to be pre-destined to serve as the beach head for African American involvement in the regeneration of Africa."

He said Nigeria offers special attraction to African-Americans yearning to "return home" because of its foreign policy emphasis on the restoration of black peoples' dignity through the elimination of colonialism, apartheid and racism around the world.

This attraction has also been due to the fact that cultural linkages between Nigeria and the African Diaspora in the Americas have always been strong while many Nigerians who come to the US to acquire knowledge have also imbibed the American value system.

"This is a major source and plank upon which to build the bridges of understanding and co-operation in our mutual effort to rejuvenate and engineer a renascent Africa," Obasanjo said.

He pointed out that the democratisation of Nigeria has created a climate of freedom, security, equity, justice and political stability, which are familiar with Americans and should make the country attractive to African-Americans.

He underscored he necessity to reduce the existing high level of ignorance between black people on the continent and those in the Diaspora.

To facilitate this process, he proposed the establishment of centres for African studies in Nigerian universities to "develop and promote systematic research and documentation and dissemination of relevant information on the global dimensions of African cultural heritage."

Obasanjo said that in addition, Nigeria would actively engage African-American communities in the activities of its diplomatic missions abroad.

"We urge you, our kith and kin, to serve as important pressure groups, to help in influencing the host nations to support Nigerian positions, and Nigeria-friendly economic policies in international forums," he said.

As the 21st century approaches, Obasanjo urged the African stock in the US to act as catalysts for economic, technological, cultural, social and political development of African countries.

Such an engagement, he explained, was imperative for the project of African rejuvenation. 





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