ADDRESS By GOODLUCK EBELE
JONATHAN, GCON, GCFR - President
Federal Republic of Nigeria TO THE
JOINT SESSION OF KENYAN
PARLIAMENT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
STATE VISIT TO KENYA. NAIROBI, 6
SEPTEMBER 2013
Mr Speaker
Principal Officers of the Two Chambers
Honourable Members of the National
Assembly
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Invitees
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I bring you fraternal greetings from
Nigeria. I am pleased to use this
opportunity to express our deep
appreciation for the warm reception
accorded us since we arrived this
beautiful country.
2. I thank the leadership and members
of this august assembly for inviting
and receiving me so warmly. I am
particularly grateful for this honour,
especially, for suspending your well-
deserved recess in order to receive
me. It is indeed the hallmark of true
friendship to be so honoured by such
an important arm of government. We
are not surprised because Kenya is
well known for her hospitality.
3. Even though we are separated by
distance, we have many things in
common. It will be of interest to you
that while the National Anthem of
Kenya starts with “O God of All
Creation”, the second stanza of the
Nigerian National Anthem starts with
“O God of Creation”.
4. We are two nations bound together
in love of God. Kenya, like Nigeria, is
a multi-ethnic and multi-religious
nation. Kenya is also a nation that has
resolved to live together no matter its
differences and divisions, just like
Nigeria.
5. Nigeria, therefore, along with
many other members of the
international community was
particularly pleased at the peaceful
outcome of your last election that
ushered in a new Administration and a
new National Assembly. Kenya
disappointed the pessimists and
reaffirmed that Africans can manage
their own affairs. We should be
allowed the space to do so. We
commend and congratulate the
leadership and entire people of Kenya
for overcoming the challenges you
faced in order to achieve such a
peaceful election.
Mr. Speaker,
6. Our quality of leadership is inferior
to none neither is our sense of
dedication to the common good below
par. Our commitment to the upliftment
of our peoples is paramount. Our
vision is clear; our sense of mission
remains ever resolute. Indeed, this
has run through the entire gamut of
Kenyan history. Your struggle for
independence and dignity was a major
struggle.
7. Here we must remember the heroes
of the past: the leaders and members
of the Kenyan Land and Freedom Army
(KLFA), also known as the Mau Mau,
whose revolt between 1952 and 1960
gave impetus to the struggle for
independence. These men and women
paid the supreme price. Their blood
watered the tree of liberty and
inspired nationalists in other parts of
our continent and even beyond. But
for them, Kenya would not have
attained its freedom when it did. To
them, we owe a debt of gratitude.
8. The moral justification of the
revolt has been further proved by the
recent agreement by the United
Kingdom to pay compensation to the
victims and their descendants. While
no monetary compensation would ever
be enough for lives lost, we join Kenya
in celebrating this moral victory.
9. We are the new generation to whom
the torch of leadership has been
passed by our forebears. We shall
neither let the flame go out nor
betray the sacred trust bestowed on
us. Our generation must bring about
the desired change for our people. We
are determined to do so. We shall
neither waver nor quit. We intend to
fulfill our manifest destiny.
Mr Speaker,
10. Bilateral relations between
Nigeria and Kenya have remained warm
and cordial. Happily, they are now at
the level of a strategic partnership
for the mutual benefit of our two
countries and peoples. This is right as
the East finally meets the West in
active and close collaboration to move
forward the African development
agenda. This is consistent with the
objectives of the African Union which
enjoins the best of African home-
grown solutions; turning current
challenges into opportunities for
peace, security and sustainable
development.
11. As Africa celebrates its Golden
Jubilee, we must pause and reflect on
the future of our continent in the
next 50 years. The questions are:
What will be Africa’s place in a world
that is increasingly knowledge-driven
and inter-dependent? Should Africa be
content to remain a mere producer of
raw materials and net importer of
manufactured products? Indeed, what
is Africa’s vision for itself at its
centenary? These are the new and
pressing challenges before us; the
battle against poverty, being one of
them. Nobody is going to fight for us
if we do not fight for ourselves.
Nobody is going to show us the way to
economic prosperity if we do not show
ourselves the way. The economic
liberation and development of Africa
lies in our hands.
12. We must devise innovative and
dynamic policies to fully develop our
potentials. We have to think together
as Africans, cooperate as partners,
improve our communication links,
expand inter-African trade and take
our continent to a higher level in the
global order.
13. I am therefore happy that the
recent visit of President Uhuru
Kenyatta to Nigeria underscored the
need for our two countries and Africa
to come together and work as one. It
augurs well for our relationship that,
during that visit, we signed an
agreement for the establishment of a
Joint Commission for Cooperation,
which provides the basic framework
for closer bilateral collaboration for
the mutual benefit of our peoples.
Again, during the current visit, our
officials and key private sector
operators have been discussing
modalities and strategies to actualise
our shared aspirations and
development objectives.
14. There is no doubt that additional
legislation will be necessary to bring
many aspects of our relations to the
required level. The importance of this
esteemed Assembly in this regard
cannot be over-emphasized.
Mr. Speaker,
15. We have a responsibility to ensure
Africa’s successful renaissance. We
must continue to act to eradicate
want, ignorance and disease through
the unlocking of our inventive genius.
We must continue to open up political
spaces for the free expression of
ideas. We must build a society where
justice reigns supreme, granting
fairness and equality to all before the
law. Africa also has to add further
impetus to its integration process. We
must re-double our efforts to
actualise our dream for an African
Economic Community (AEC).
16. For sustainable development, we
require peace. We must all work
together to put an end to conflicts
and wars on our continent. We must
confront all acts of terrorism
wherever they occur, as they
endanger the safety of our peoples
and societies as well as disrupt
economic activities. Here, I must
commend the efforts of Kenya, along
with other African countries in helping
to stabilise the situation in Somalia.
Nigeria is proud to be part of this
effort as demonstrated by our active
participation in the African Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM).
Mr. Speaker,
17. Knowledge remains a veritable tool
of social mobility and advancement. It
has enabled mankind to conquer
unknown frontiers, surmount
intractable problems and overcome
enormous challenges. Therefore,
education remains the key to
unlocking the door for development
and fostering improved well-being,
both for the community and the
individual. Science and technology have
vastly changed the world we live in and
their trajectory on this revolutionary
path is unstoppable.
18. To develop as we should, we must
put in place in all our countries, well
designed policies and strategies that
give young people ready access to
qualitative education. The strategic
objective should be to make our youth
independent thinkers, innovators,
developers, entrepreneurs and
community builders who can create
jobs and add value to society.
19. We must harness and properly
channel the energies of our youth for
economic growth and social
development. Africa’s youths are one
of the continent’s greatest assets.
Much of the continent’s immense
promise for the future rests on their
youthful shoulders. We have a duty and
responsibility to nurture them and
ensure their growth to the full extent
of their potentials.
Mr. Speaker,
20. I am happy to note that the
Kenyan Constitution reserves thirty
per cent of seats in Parliament for
women representatives. This is a
progressive development to be
commended, indeed emulated by others
as it enjoins gender equality and
sensitivity across the spectrum in
appointment to public offices. It is a
development we applaud, even as we in
Nigeria are committed to achieving
the same goals. Besides pursuing a
policy of equal opportunity in
employment between gender in our
public and civil services, we have
opened up all cadres of the Nigerian
armed forces, including regular
combatants, to women who can now
aspire to the highest ranks possible
for the first time in our history. More
than thirty per cent of Cabinet
positions and other key political
appointments are held by women while
the judicial arm of government is
headed by a woman as Chief Justice of
the Federation.
21. These actions are not taken simply
because we want to comply with
international conventions or United
Nations resolutions. They are taken
deliberately because they are right
and fair. Indeed, it is the correct
approach to take if we genuinely
desire to attain the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and sustain
them thereafter as envisaged by the
post-2015 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGS). Besides, they are in
recognition of the important role
which women continue to play in our
respective countries. Such women as
Prof. Wangari Maathai of blessed
memory, winner of the 2004 Nobel
Peace Prize and a tireless
environmental campaigner must be
celebrated.
Mr. Speaker,
22. I call for collaboration between
our two legislatures. This can only be
beneficial to our two countries and
peoples. It would engender exchange
of useful ideas and best practices with
a view to strengthening our
institutions, promoting human rights
and deepening democracy. In this
connection, I encourage Honourable
Members of the Kenyan Parliament, to
participate at the forthcoming
African Legislative Summit 2013
taking place in Abuja from 11-13
November this year. Such collaboration
can only enrich and reinforce the
African Legislative Agenda for
Development.
23. The need for a harmonious
working relationship between the
Legislative and Executive arms of
government cannot be over-
emphasized. Happily, such harmony
exists in Kenya between all the three
arms of government. This is how it
should be to ensure that our
governments are able to deliver
positive dividends of democracy to our
peoples.
24. Nigeria and Kenya are committed
to democracy, the rule of law and the
devolution of power from the centre
to subsidiary tiers of government as a
veritable model of governance. In this
regard, Mr. Speaker, we in Nigeria
are delighted that Kenyan democracy
is alive and well as was amply
demonstrated by the peaceful
elections last March which ushered in
the present administration. The
events which attended the elections
of 2007 can now be seen as
unfortunate aberrations which did not
in any way represent the natural
inclination of the good people of
Kenya, to live in peace and harmony
with each other.
25. I believe I share the sentiments of
the government and people of Kenya
when I say that we in Nigeria do not
embrace democracy and the rule of law
in response to external pressure or
demand. We have embraced democracy
and its underpinnings such as free,
fair, credible and transparent
election; rule of law; respect for
human and peoples’ rights, because
they are the right things to do and
they are good for us.
26. We do not seek the validation or
endorsement of our democracy outside
the collective will of our people, the
citizens and electorates of our
respective countries. Democracy is not
a one-size-fits-all system; rather it
is a dynamic political system which
must be operated within the particular
context it finds itself.
Mr. Speaker,
27. The African renaissance to which
we are all committed calls for the
consolidation, building and
strengthening of institutions. It calls
for reinforcing institutions of
government with the power, credibility
and resources they require to perform
to their optimal levels.
28. Kenya and Nigeria share similar
positions on a wide range of issues on
the African and global agenda. Thus,
we have committed ourselves to the
global fight against terrorism whose
trans-boundary nature calls for
concerted efforts on the part of the
international community. We are also
against the proliferation of small arms
and light weapons which fuels the
upsurge of conflict and terrorism in
many parts of the world, including our
African region.
29. We welcome the recent conclusion
of the Arms Trade Treaty, which
Nigeria has already signed. As a
matter of fact, we think that the
time has come for the international
community to consider the idea of
reparation from the manufacturers
and purveyors of these weapons of
small arms and light weapons, which
for us are the weapons of mass
destruction.
Mr. Speaker,
30. The on-going debate about the
emerging global governance
architecture should be of interest to
our two countries and Africa as a
whole. The existing international
system is undemocratic and unfair.
Africa’s non-representation in the
Councils and Chambers of international
decision-making in the past was
always explained in terms of our lack
of sovereign independence. This claim
is no longer valid. We call for the
reform of the inherited global
governance institutions. We call,
especially, for the reform of the
United Nations and its Security
Council.
31. Africa and other regions of the
world, either not represented at all or
inadequately represented, should be
admitted into the permanent
membership category of an expanded
UN Security Council. Similar expansion
and reform should also apply to all the
other multilateral institutions with
lopsided membership such as the
Bretton Woods institutions. This would
ensure that the decisions of these
organisations enjoy the respect and
credibility of their members.
Mr. Speaker,
32. Therefore, we need to build this
continent together with one mind and
one goal. We need to consolidate our
democratic practice. We need to
revolutionise our economies.
Democracy must deliver development to
the people. From the edges of the blue
waters of the Mediterranean to the
beautiful shores of the Atlantic and
Indian Oceans, our people are united
in demanding for the enthronement of
a system that recognises their role as
the ultimate source of power and
development in the society.
33. As we look to the future, we see a
new Africa that is ready to take its
rightful place in the comity of nations.
This new Africa, the shape of which is
already becoming evident, can only
become manifest through deliberate
and concerted efforts on the part of
the present leadership and
followership across the continent.
34. Africa cannot afford to stand still.
This is Africa’s season to gather and
unite. This is Africa’s moment to
rebuild. This century is ours. We must
claim it for our continent and for the
good of the world.
35. Kenya and Nigeria must work
hand-in-hand to herald the new Africa
that would be democratic, united,
developed and industrialised. An Africa
that is, finally, at peace with itself
and at peace with the rest of the
world.
36. Mr. Speaker, very distinguished
members of Parliament, I end my
remarks with the motto of your
country, the Republic of Kenya.
Harambee! Let us all pull together!
Let us soar as Eagles.
Long Live the Republic of Kenya!
Long Live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!!
Long live Nigeria-Kenya Relations!!
Asante Sana!
JONATHAN, GCON, GCFR - President
Federal Republic of Nigeria TO THE
JOINT SESSION OF KENYAN
PARLIAMENT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
STATE VISIT TO KENYA. NAIROBI, 6
SEPTEMBER 2013
Mr Speaker
Principal Officers of the Two Chambers
Honourable Members of the National
Assembly
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Invitees
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I bring you fraternal greetings from
Nigeria. I am pleased to use this
opportunity to express our deep
appreciation for the warm reception
accorded us since we arrived this
beautiful country.
2. I thank the leadership and members
of this august assembly for inviting
and receiving me so warmly. I am
particularly grateful for this honour,
especially, for suspending your well-
deserved recess in order to receive
me. It is indeed the hallmark of true
friendship to be so honoured by such
an important arm of government. We
are not surprised because Kenya is
well known for her hospitality.
3. Even though we are separated by
distance, we have many things in
common. It will be of interest to you
that while the National Anthem of
Kenya starts with “O God of All
Creation”, the second stanza of the
Nigerian National Anthem starts with
“O God of Creation”.
4. We are two nations bound together
in love of God. Kenya, like Nigeria, is
a multi-ethnic and multi-religious
nation. Kenya is also a nation that has
resolved to live together no matter its
differences and divisions, just like
Nigeria.
5. Nigeria, therefore, along with
many other members of the
international community was
particularly pleased at the peaceful
outcome of your last election that
ushered in a new Administration and a
new National Assembly. Kenya
disappointed the pessimists and
reaffirmed that Africans can manage
their own affairs. We should be
allowed the space to do so. We
commend and congratulate the
leadership and entire people of Kenya
for overcoming the challenges you
faced in order to achieve such a
peaceful election.
Mr. Speaker,
6. Our quality of leadership is inferior
to none neither is our sense of
dedication to the common good below
par. Our commitment to the upliftment
of our peoples is paramount. Our
vision is clear; our sense of mission
remains ever resolute. Indeed, this
has run through the entire gamut of
Kenyan history. Your struggle for
independence and dignity was a major
struggle.
7. Here we must remember the heroes
of the past: the leaders and members
of the Kenyan Land and Freedom Army
(KLFA), also known as the Mau Mau,
whose revolt between 1952 and 1960
gave impetus to the struggle for
independence. These men and women
paid the supreme price. Their blood
watered the tree of liberty and
inspired nationalists in other parts of
our continent and even beyond. But
for them, Kenya would not have
attained its freedom when it did. To
them, we owe a debt of gratitude.
8. The moral justification of the
revolt has been further proved by the
recent agreement by the United
Kingdom to pay compensation to the
victims and their descendants. While
no monetary compensation would ever
be enough for lives lost, we join Kenya
in celebrating this moral victory.
9. We are the new generation to whom
the torch of leadership has been
passed by our forebears. We shall
neither let the flame go out nor
betray the sacred trust bestowed on
us. Our generation must bring about
the desired change for our people. We
are determined to do so. We shall
neither waver nor quit. We intend to
fulfill our manifest destiny.
Mr Speaker,
10. Bilateral relations between
Nigeria and Kenya have remained warm
and cordial. Happily, they are now at
the level of a strategic partnership
for the mutual benefit of our two
countries and peoples. This is right as
the East finally meets the West in
active and close collaboration to move
forward the African development
agenda. This is consistent with the
objectives of the African Union which
enjoins the best of African home-
grown solutions; turning current
challenges into opportunities for
peace, security and sustainable
development.
11. As Africa celebrates its Golden
Jubilee, we must pause and reflect on
the future of our continent in the
next 50 years. The questions are:
What will be Africa’s place in a world
that is increasingly knowledge-driven
and inter-dependent? Should Africa be
content to remain a mere producer of
raw materials and net importer of
manufactured products? Indeed, what
is Africa’s vision for itself at its
centenary? These are the new and
pressing challenges before us; the
battle against poverty, being one of
them. Nobody is going to fight for us
if we do not fight for ourselves.
Nobody is going to show us the way to
economic prosperity if we do not show
ourselves the way. The economic
liberation and development of Africa
lies in our hands.
12. We must devise innovative and
dynamic policies to fully develop our
potentials. We have to think together
as Africans, cooperate as partners,
improve our communication links,
expand inter-African trade and take
our continent to a higher level in the
global order.
13. I am therefore happy that the
recent visit of President Uhuru
Kenyatta to Nigeria underscored the
need for our two countries and Africa
to come together and work as one. It
augurs well for our relationship that,
during that visit, we signed an
agreement for the establishment of a
Joint Commission for Cooperation,
which provides the basic framework
for closer bilateral collaboration for
the mutual benefit of our peoples.
Again, during the current visit, our
officials and key private sector
operators have been discussing
modalities and strategies to actualise
our shared aspirations and
development objectives.
14. There is no doubt that additional
legislation will be necessary to bring
many aspects of our relations to the
required level. The importance of this
esteemed Assembly in this regard
cannot be over-emphasized.
Mr. Speaker,
15. We have a responsibility to ensure
Africa’s successful renaissance. We
must continue to act to eradicate
want, ignorance and disease through
the unlocking of our inventive genius.
We must continue to open up political
spaces for the free expression of
ideas. We must build a society where
justice reigns supreme, granting
fairness and equality to all before the
law. Africa also has to add further
impetus to its integration process. We
must re-double our efforts to
actualise our dream for an African
Economic Community (AEC).
16. For sustainable development, we
require peace. We must all work
together to put an end to conflicts
and wars on our continent. We must
confront all acts of terrorism
wherever they occur, as they
endanger the safety of our peoples
and societies as well as disrupt
economic activities. Here, I must
commend the efforts of Kenya, along
with other African countries in helping
to stabilise the situation in Somalia.
Nigeria is proud to be part of this
effort as demonstrated by our active
participation in the African Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM).
Mr. Speaker,
17. Knowledge remains a veritable tool
of social mobility and advancement. It
has enabled mankind to conquer
unknown frontiers, surmount
intractable problems and overcome
enormous challenges. Therefore,
education remains the key to
unlocking the door for development
and fostering improved well-being,
both for the community and the
individual. Science and technology have
vastly changed the world we live in and
their trajectory on this revolutionary
path is unstoppable.
18. To develop as we should, we must
put in place in all our countries, well
designed policies and strategies that
give young people ready access to
qualitative education. The strategic
objective should be to make our youth
independent thinkers, innovators,
developers, entrepreneurs and
community builders who can create
jobs and add value to society.
19. We must harness and properly
channel the energies of our youth for
economic growth and social
development. Africa’s youths are one
of the continent’s greatest assets.
Much of the continent’s immense
promise for the future rests on their
youthful shoulders. We have a duty and
responsibility to nurture them and
ensure their growth to the full extent
of their potentials.
Mr. Speaker,
20. I am happy to note that the
Kenyan Constitution reserves thirty
per cent of seats in Parliament for
women representatives. This is a
progressive development to be
commended, indeed emulated by others
as it enjoins gender equality and
sensitivity across the spectrum in
appointment to public offices. It is a
development we applaud, even as we in
Nigeria are committed to achieving
the same goals. Besides pursuing a
policy of equal opportunity in
employment between gender in our
public and civil services, we have
opened up all cadres of the Nigerian
armed forces, including regular
combatants, to women who can now
aspire to the highest ranks possible
for the first time in our history. More
than thirty per cent of Cabinet
positions and other key political
appointments are held by women while
the judicial arm of government is
headed by a woman as Chief Justice of
the Federation.
21. These actions are not taken simply
because we want to comply with
international conventions or United
Nations resolutions. They are taken
deliberately because they are right
and fair. Indeed, it is the correct
approach to take if we genuinely
desire to attain the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and sustain
them thereafter as envisaged by the
post-2015 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGS). Besides, they are in
recognition of the important role
which women continue to play in our
respective countries. Such women as
Prof. Wangari Maathai of blessed
memory, winner of the 2004 Nobel
Peace Prize and a tireless
environmental campaigner must be
celebrated.
Mr. Speaker,
22. I call for collaboration between
our two legislatures. This can only be
beneficial to our two countries and
peoples. It would engender exchange
of useful ideas and best practices with
a view to strengthening our
institutions, promoting human rights
and deepening democracy. In this
connection, I encourage Honourable
Members of the Kenyan Parliament, to
participate at the forthcoming
African Legislative Summit 2013
taking place in Abuja from 11-13
November this year. Such collaboration
can only enrich and reinforce the
African Legislative Agenda for
Development.
23. The need for a harmonious
working relationship between the
Legislative and Executive arms of
government cannot be over-
emphasized. Happily, such harmony
exists in Kenya between all the three
arms of government. This is how it
should be to ensure that our
governments are able to deliver
positive dividends of democracy to our
peoples.
24. Nigeria and Kenya are committed
to democracy, the rule of law and the
devolution of power from the centre
to subsidiary tiers of government as a
veritable model of governance. In this
regard, Mr. Speaker, we in Nigeria
are delighted that Kenyan democracy
is alive and well as was amply
demonstrated by the peaceful
elections last March which ushered in
the present administration. The
events which attended the elections
of 2007 can now be seen as
unfortunate aberrations which did not
in any way represent the natural
inclination of the good people of
Kenya, to live in peace and harmony
with each other.
25. I believe I share the sentiments of
the government and people of Kenya
when I say that we in Nigeria do not
embrace democracy and the rule of law
in response to external pressure or
demand. We have embraced democracy
and its underpinnings such as free,
fair, credible and transparent
election; rule of law; respect for
human and peoples’ rights, because
they are the right things to do and
they are good for us.
26. We do not seek the validation or
endorsement of our democracy outside
the collective will of our people, the
citizens and electorates of our
respective countries. Democracy is not
a one-size-fits-all system; rather it
is a dynamic political system which
must be operated within the particular
context it finds itself.
Mr. Speaker,
27. The African renaissance to which
we are all committed calls for the
consolidation, building and
strengthening of institutions. It calls
for reinforcing institutions of
government with the power, credibility
and resources they require to perform
to their optimal levels.
28. Kenya and Nigeria share similar
positions on a wide range of issues on
the African and global agenda. Thus,
we have committed ourselves to the
global fight against terrorism whose
trans-boundary nature calls for
concerted efforts on the part of the
international community. We are also
against the proliferation of small arms
and light weapons which fuels the
upsurge of conflict and terrorism in
many parts of the world, including our
African region.
29. We welcome the recent conclusion
of the Arms Trade Treaty, which
Nigeria has already signed. As a
matter of fact, we think that the
time has come for the international
community to consider the idea of
reparation from the manufacturers
and purveyors of these weapons of
small arms and light weapons, which
for us are the weapons of mass
destruction.
Mr. Speaker,
30. The on-going debate about the
emerging global governance
architecture should be of interest to
our two countries and Africa as a
whole. The existing international
system is undemocratic and unfair.
Africa’s non-representation in the
Councils and Chambers of international
decision-making in the past was
always explained in terms of our lack
of sovereign independence. This claim
is no longer valid. We call for the
reform of the inherited global
governance institutions. We call,
especially, for the reform of the
United Nations and its Security
Council.
31. Africa and other regions of the
world, either not represented at all or
inadequately represented, should be
admitted into the permanent
membership category of an expanded
UN Security Council. Similar expansion
and reform should also apply to all the
other multilateral institutions with
lopsided membership such as the
Bretton Woods institutions. This would
ensure that the decisions of these
organisations enjoy the respect and
credibility of their members.
Mr. Speaker,
32. Therefore, we need to build this
continent together with one mind and
one goal. We need to consolidate our
democratic practice. We need to
revolutionise our economies.
Democracy must deliver development to
the people. From the edges of the blue
waters of the Mediterranean to the
beautiful shores of the Atlantic and
Indian Oceans, our people are united
in demanding for the enthronement of
a system that recognises their role as
the ultimate source of power and
development in the society.
33. As we look to the future, we see a
new Africa that is ready to take its
rightful place in the comity of nations.
This new Africa, the shape of which is
already becoming evident, can only
become manifest through deliberate
and concerted efforts on the part of
the present leadership and
followership across the continent.
34. Africa cannot afford to stand still.
This is Africa’s season to gather and
unite. This is Africa’s moment to
rebuild. This century is ours. We must
claim it for our continent and for the
good of the world.
35. Kenya and Nigeria must work
hand-in-hand to herald the new Africa
that would be democratic, united,
developed and industrialised. An Africa
that is, finally, at peace with itself
and at peace with the rest of the
world.
36. Mr. Speaker, very distinguished
members of Parliament, I end my
remarks with the motto of your
country, the Republic of Kenya.
Harambee! Let us all pull together!
Let us soar as Eagles.
Long Live the Republic of Kenya!
Long Live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!!
Long live Nigeria-Kenya Relations!!
Asante Sana!
posted from Bloggeroid
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