- Diri wondered why economic progresses made in colonial times were not sustained
- He charged African leaders to focus on developing their countries
- He lauded African leaders for setting up African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has called on African leaders to make conscious and deliberate moves geared towards the development of their respective countries.
This is as the governor advised the leaders of the continent to rise to the occasion and desist from blaming their backwardness and challenges on colonial period and the colonialists.
Diri gave the advise on Wednesday while speaking at the launching of two books: “The African Voice” and “Once A Soldier”, written by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
The governor questioned the ability of Nigerian leaders to make concerted efforts to develop the country, wondering why the economic inroads and progress made in colonial times have been reversed.
Diri recalled that institutions such as textile industries and paper mills in Delta and Akwa lbom states, as well as the Cocoa House in Oyo State, were established prior to the colonial era and wondered why they had become comatose.
Represented by his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Diri stressed the need to do away with policies that created barriers to regional integration and economic development, advising that such policies should be jettisoned to allow for more integration to fast-track development on the continent.
He, however, lauded African leaders for taking steps to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which promotes intra-African trade thereby deepening integration.
On his part, King Dakolo stated that inequality and injustices suffered by the people of the Niger Delta could best be addressed through intellectual discourse to attract attention to the region
Discussion about this post