Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to acting as a catalyst for Africa’s economic transformation and continental integration.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday night at an event commemorating Africa Day, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, will continue to implement policies designed to strengthen sustainable development and enhance regional cooperation.
The event, organized by the Forum of African Missions, marked the anniversary of the 1963 establishment of the Organization of African Union (OAU), now the African Union (AU). This year’s commemoration was held under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation System to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
The Push for Unity and Cultural Preservation
Addressing the assembly, Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that continental unity remains essential for overcoming Africa’s shared challenges, including economic inequality, insecurity, climate vulnerability, and global injustices.
”Our progress as a continent depends on our ability to act together, to speak with one voice, and to confront shared challenges with shared solutions,” the minister said, describing unity as Africa’s most powerful tool to realize its global potential.
She also highlighted cultural diversity as a vital instrument for peacebuilding and regional integration, noting that preserving African culture is necessary to empower future generations with identity and confidence.
Addressing Water Scarcity and Infrastructure
Turning to this year’s theme, the minister underscored the critical role of clean water and safe sanitation in public health, food production, industrial growth, and energy generation. She lamented that millions of people across Africa still lack reliable access to these basic services, warning that the deficit threatens lives, livelihoods, and overall social stability.
In response to the compounding pressures of climate change, desertification, pollution, and rapid urbanization, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for deliberate and coordinated water management strategies across the continent. She urged African nations to:
- Invest heavily in resilient infrastructure.
- Strengthen regional cooperation regarding shared water resources.
- Embrace innovation and technology.
- Prioritize policies that guarantee equitable water and sanitation access for all.
The minister concluded by noting that these initiatives directly align with AU’s Agenda 2063 blueprint, urging African nations to reinforce their bonds of solidarity to secure a prosperous and dignified future for the continent.
