Among several things that Africa must untiringly be working on in this new millennium is unity. Unity of Africa was one of the greatest dreams of the African nationalists and we must by all means resuscitate this dream. It is for this reason that I quote here the words of Kwame Nkrumah in his speach delivered at the founding of OAU in May 1963. Our economic advantage demands the end of colonialist and neo-colonialist domination in Africa. But just as we understood that the shaping of our national destines required of each of us our political independence and bent all our strength to this attainment, so we must recognise that our economic independence resides in our African union and requires the same concentration upon the political achievement.
Resources are there.
It is for us to marshall them in active service of our people. Unless we do this by our concerted, within the framework of our combined efforts, within the frmawork of our combined planning, we shall not progress at the tempo demanded by today's events and the mood of our people. The symptoms of our troubles will grow, and the troubles themselves become chronic. These words, though said 37 years ago, are still very relevant to the African continent today. We have every reason to hope that Africa will continue to work seriously on unity within and across the arbitrarily imposed boarders.