Kisumu, Kenya – Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that the widespread poverty in Africa is a result of human actions and not a divine occurrence. Speaking on Monday at the opening ceremony of the FESTAC Africa Festival at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, Kenya, Obasanjo emphasized that the continent’s abundant resources should preclude such levels of poverty.
“Africa has no reason to be poor. Our poverty is not an act of God. We are steeped in poverty due to our poor mentality. We need to wake up because we have a wealth of resources,” Obasanjo stated. He further reflected on Africa’s history, noting that the continent has been exploited to enrich others, from the slave trade to colonialism, while Africans remain impoverished.
Obasanjo criticized the World Bank’s structural adjustment programs, arguing that Africa lacked the necessary infrastructure for such adjustments. “Structural adjustment was the idea of the World Bank. However, I disagreed because we lacked the structure. What exactly were we adjusting? They were simply deceiving us,” he said.
A Return to FESTAC
Obasanjo expressed nostalgia for the return of the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), which had its second edition in Nigeria during his tenure as military head of state in 1977. The first edition was held in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966. Reflecting on the 1977 festival, Obasanjo recalled the challenges of hosting the event amidst a change of government but insisted on proceeding, resulting in a successful gathering that attracted black people from all over the world.
“I am here to express my appreciation and thanks, first to the governor of Kisumu County, Anyang Nyong’o, for hosting FESTAC here and contributing to what I call a renaissance and rebirth of FESTAC,” Obasanjo said. He praised Yinka Abioye, Chairman of FESTAC Africa International, for his dedication to reviving the festival after a four-decade hiatus.
Support for Raila Odinga’s AU Leadership Ambition
During his speech, Obasanjo called former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga to join him on stage, humorously remarking, “My brother, come and join me on stage. You cannot bring me here and then abandon me.” He went on to endorse Odinga’s ambition to become the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, arguing that Odinga has the understanding and experience necessary to lead Africa toward economic liberation.
Obasanjo criticized the African Union (AU) for its dependency on external funding, recounting his experience as the AU’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa, where the organization struggled to fund his mission. “We need individuals who understand Africa’s problems and the role the AU should play. I believe Raila Odinga is that person,” Obasanjo asserted.
A Call for Economic Liberation
Obasanjo stressed that while Africa has achieved political liberation, it has yet to attain economic freedom. He urged African leaders to reject Western ideas that do not serve the continent’s needs and to focus on creating wealth from within.
“We have everything needed to create wealth. No one will do it for us. We must do it ourselves,” he said. Obasanjo warned that the continent’s youth are growing increasingly restless and dissatisfied, and leaders must act swiftly to address their needs. “They cannot wait for a long-promised future. They want action now. If we fail to deliver, we will be in trouble,” he concluded.
Obasanjo’s remarks at the FESTAC Africa Festival highlight the urgency of addressing Africa’s self-imposed challenges and the potential for cultural events like FESTAC to foster unity and progress across the continent.