By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
In a bid to make the African continent save and devoid of Xenophobic Attacks, a former member of House of Representatives, Congressman Bimbo Daramola has called on African Political Leadership to reintroduce the pan African spirit of their forefathers.
Daramola who is the convener, ONE UNITED AFRICA PROJECT said that history would not be kind to the present crops of Africa leaders ,if they failed to preserve and sustain the legacy of pan Africanism bequeathed to them by their forebears.
He stated that diplomacy and bilateral relations alone cannot achieve success in the fight unless African Leaders rediscovered themselves and embrace panafricanism.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, the lawmaker who regretted the demise of majority of the pioneer African leaders who preached the gospel of One United Africa, however called for concerted effort in combating the monster.
The ex legislator who lauded the efforts taken so far by President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria’ Foreign Affairs Ministry in stemming the tide of the scourge ,also called for greater collaboration.
Going down the memory lane,Daramola disclosed that the idea was conceived in 2012 when he raised a motion alerting continent to the emerging realities of a monster at the hallowed chamber ,”which if not nipped in the bud could cause crisis.
“The last may not be the last on xenophobia unless we redouble our efforts in preaching unity. And for us, the best of Africa can only come from the unity of Africa ” he averred .
“It is very sad today that nobody is talking about panAfricanism .The new crops of political leadership in Africa did not connect with the realities of where we were coming from.
“Yes, you can punish crime and criminality but dont criminalize being black..Diplomacy and bilateral talks is good but those who engage in xenophobia do not understand all these .This project must be embrace by all.It should not be one off thing .Let us make it a topical issue and put it in the front burner ” Daramola admonished .
The anti xenophobia crusader explained that the project was in furtherance to his vision towards attaining a safe and one united Africa conceived about eight years ago when he was a member of the Nigerian Parliament .
“Nigeria and some other African countries were able to tackle the spread of Ebola because of the concerted efforts .Remember , a diplomat from Liberia would have put the nation in jeopardy, if not for the prompt and sustained awareness and preventive measures put in place. So,this xenophobia thing must be given same attention.
“Africans must know that we are United by history and bounded by faith. Government ‘s efforts must be complimented .So,the proposed EndXenopobia Concert is a crusade and not an enternement .We are leveraging on the appeal of some sons and daughters of Africa who have succeeded in their own vocations, which is music. So we are bringing them to identify with the crusade. We are not promoters or music producers ” Daramola stated.
