SAN FRANCISCO, June 17, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has stated that the African continent must set up a mechanism for producing leaders who place their countries and the continent over personal or sectional gains and interest.
He stated that the continent would achieve development by strenghtening its electoral system, deepening democracy and accountability and reducing corruption.
Delivering a lecture entitled: “Where is Africa Going?: Thoughts on African Development Bank’s High 5s for African Development” at the Maiden University of Nottingham Summit on Africa, held in England, Atiku urged Africa to get its politics right in order to achieve accelerated development on the continent.
He said: “Let me say that Africa must get its politics right in order to accelerate its development. This would include improvements in electoral systems, deepening of democracy and accountability, and reduction in corruption.
“Let’s not forget that these priorities have to be adopted and implemented by governments and by the political leadership. Therefore, Africa needs mechanisms for producing leaders who privilege their countries and the continent over personal or sectional gains and interests.
“Thus, Africa’s civil society and Africa’s development partners have important roles in pressuring African governments on important political reforms to help provide the democratic spaces for policy dialogues and democratic interventions in Africa’s development.”
While observing that security has become one of the greatest challenge of the continent, he warned that the security challenges facing the continent may impede developmental efforts if not addressed.
“Let me say, however, that while security does not feature among the Bank’s top five priorities, it is a top priority for African countries. Security is a huge challenge and if not addressed may impede the implementation of the Bank’s plans, especially for fragile states,” he said.
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