The week rolled by as usual, paying no cognizance to its own unusual character. It was meant to be unusual because it was the second week in the year 2025; as it would be in the past, it was expected to be sluggish and lazy, not seeing much activities because most people were meant to still be in the holiday mood. It was not so, especially for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has kept up a racy, busy office culture. He has never allowed any holiday stand in the way of official duties, especially if there is an issue to get thrashed in the process of achieving a functional, model African nation.
You will recall that during the Christmas and New Year holidays, though he was supposedly on vacation in Lagos, he was still busy receiving guests and treating issues of state; either those having to do with our local matters and those of regional concerns, as he is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS. So the pace of his week’s activities were as steady and fast as ever, it was a work-ful week for him.
If you are conversant with the Nigerian President, you would have observednthat his heart and ideas are bigger than just leading Nigeria and confining himself to this corner of the world. Tinubu has shown over the years that his leadership ideals and philosophy are global in perspective. He has propounded and expressed views on how diplomatic conducts between the Global North and South ought to be conducted, especially between Africa and the developed nations of Europe, America, the Middle East and the East.
He was presented with another platform on Tuesday where he passed his shade of Pan-Africanism to those who need to be told the truth about us as a race. He was at the inauguration ceremony of Ghana’s new President, John Dramani Mahama, where he was the Special Guest of Honour, both because he has a long standing relationship with the new President, who by the way was taking the saddle in a second coming, and as the head of the ECOWAS. He was given the stage to make a speech and he did not fail to sound a message to the rest of the world.
His message, cryptic as it was, addressed the new President, the people of Ghana, even the African continent, but most significantly, it sent something out to the rest of the world, especially those who have assigned themselves as moulders of our destinies, reaching out from their far ends of the world to distort and conjure.
As he addressed the world from Ghana, his words carried a powerful and resounding message: Africa has come of age. In a time when global narratives often cast doubt on the continent’s capacity for self-governance and progress, Tinubu’s remarks reaffirmed a new reality—one where African nations are increasingly taking control of their destinies.
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The smooth transition of power in Ghana is a testament to the growing strength of democracy across the continent. This is not an isolated event but part of a broader story of African countries—Nigeria, Ghana, and others—demonstrating that they are capable of solving their domestic challenges without external intervention. Tinubu emphasized that Africa no longer needs to prove itself to a world that has long doubted its potential. Instead, the focus has shifted inward, where the only validation needed is from its own people.
The Nigerian leader’s speech underlined a significant point: Africa’s critics have failed to acknowledge the remarkable progress being made across the continent. For too long, global powers have sought to exploit divisions, perpetuating a narrative of instability and dependency. Tinubu’s message was clear—those days are over. The unity and resilience displayed by nations like Ghana serve as a beacon for the rest of Africa, showing that dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect can overcome even the most entrenched challenges.
At the heart of Tinubu’s address was a rallying cry for African nations to reject external forces that aim to divide and exploit. His words echoed a deep understanding of the historical struggles that have shaped the continent, as well as a steadfast determination to protect the hard-won gains of African independence. The emphasis on unity, even in the face of disagreement, is a reminder that the true strength of Africa lies in its collective will.
This new chapter in Africa’s story is not without its difficulties, but as Tinubu highlighted, the continent has discovered the critical path to success. By prioritizing homegrown solutions and charting a course tailored to its unique needs, Africa is positioning itself as a global force to be reckoned with. The vision is not just economic growth, but a comprehensive transformation that uplifts every citizen, leaving behind the shadows of poverty and dependence.
Tinubu’s remarks also served as a tribute to the sacrifices of those who came before. The unity that many African nations now enjoy was hard-fought, with countless heroes dedicating their lives to the dream of a free, prosperous, and self-reliant continent. Today, that dream is becoming a reality, as nations like Ghana and Nigeria demonstrate that democracy and progress are not only possible, but thriving across Africa.
As the world watches, Africa stands tall, confident in its ability to navigate its challenges and forge its path. President Tinubu’s call for unity, resilience, and self-determination is not just a reflection of the present—it is a vision for the future, one where Africa takes its rightful place on the global stage. The message is clear: Africa is no longer waiting for approval or recognition. It is already rising, a shining star of democracy and hope.
“We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.
“It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace”, he told those who need to know this.
President Tinubu also cryptically alluded to a new trend that seems to be besetting the continent, especially as seen in a couple of West Africa states. The democratic experience in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic recently got halted when military juntas seized power and went on to pull the countries out of the ECOWAS, which membership they have held for years. Attempts by the sub-regional body to get these military hotheads to reconsider and allow the people of their countries return to democratic rule have been met with stiff resistance.
From all indications and available feelers, the military juntas get their reason and encouragement from foreign interests, whose motive has been placed around mineral exploitation. Their strategy has been ‘divide and rule’, rather reminiscent of the colonialists of past centuries. On this development and to those orchestrating this situation, Tinubu still had a message:
“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. 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”, he said.
On Thursday, President Tinubu hosted the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi, at the State House in Abuja and did not fail to seize the occasion to made profitable demands from the Chinese government. Remember he has nurtured a kind of friendship with the Chinese, which led to the status of our relationship being upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, now he demanded that the currency swap agreement be increased beyond the $2 billion agreed in the past, just as he called on China to increase the $50 billion pledged to Africa’s support as, in his words, “the infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that”.
He also decorated his aide-de-camp, Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, with his new rank of Colonel, describing him as a “diligent and reliable officer”. Meanwhile, he had already tasked the military to go after the murderous terrorists who killed six of its men in Damboa, Borno State, just as he instructed that a probe carried out on the incident. These also happened on Thursday. However, on Friday, he was at the National Mosque, joining other Muslim faithful to observe the Juma’a service to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The week went the way it did; busy and strategically impactful, however, this new one promises to bring more, especially as he already left yesterday for another global economic event in Abu Dhabi. Let’s wait to see what he comes back with for all of us.
