In the early hours of Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu delivered his inaugural address at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the importance of Africa breaking free from foreign exploitation to achieve prosperity through democratic principles.
Speaking during the opening day of the 78th session at the UN Headquarters, President Tinubu voiced Africa’s determination to neither be subservient nor dominate others, seeking to replace old oppressions with new ones.
Addressing fellow heads of state following speeches by US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, President Tinubu centered his remarks on the theme, ‘Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and Its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for All.’
Tinubu acknowledged that despite numerous declarations, Africa’s challenges persist, attributing much of this struggle to governance failures and the enduring effects of broken promises, unfair treatment, and foreign exploitation.
Reflecting on the establishment of the United Nations and its origins in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Nigerian leader highlighted how that era marked a pinnacle of trust in global institutions, fostering the belief that humanity had learned valuable lessons to advance global solidarity and cooperation.
President Tinubu drew parallels to the Marshall Plan’s commitment to post-war Europe, asserting that Africa has long sought a similar level of political dedication and resource allocation.
He recognized, however, that the root causes of Africa’s current economic challenges differ significantly from those of post-war Europe, requiring unique solutions.