50 Years After, Murtala’s Leadership Still Inspires Continent — Says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said the legacy of former Head of State, Murtala Mohammed, remains a moral compass for Nigeria and Africa in navigating contemporary political and economic challenges.

 

The President spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, who represented him at the 50th memorial anniversary.

 

According to him, Mohammed’s legacy remains a moral compass for Nigeria and Africa in navigating contemporary political and economic challenges.

Leading tributes to the former military ruler, President Tinubu said he did not hesitate to accept the invitation to serve as Grand Patron of the memorial conference and book launch when he received a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the Murtala Mohammed Foundation.

 

He described the late General as an extraordinary African statesman whose bold leadership continues to inspire the continent 50 years after his assassination.

 

“It has been 50 years since the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed. Today, this great leader — a remarkable son of Nigeria and Africa — has summoned us to reflect on the state of our continent,” Tinubu said.

 

He recalled the late leader’s famous 1976 speech which was delivered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the Organisation of African Unity meeting where he declared that “Africa has come of age” and should no longer take orders from any global power.

 

According to Tinubu, that declaration was a defining moment in Nigeria’s foreign policy and signaled Africa’s readiness to take charge of its destiny during the Cold War era. He described the 1970s as the golden age of Nigeria’s foreign policy, noting that the period could aptly be called the “Murtala Mohammed age.”

The President said Mohammed championed African solutions to African problems, particularly in supporting liberation struggles in Angola and Mozambique, and positioned Nigeria as a leading voice on the continent.

 

Tinubu also highlighted the transformative impact of his brief 201-day administration, citing sweeping civil service reforms, the conceptualisation of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the initiation of a transition programme to civil rule as enduring legacies.

 

While regretting that his tenure was short-lived, Tinubu said his patriotism, discipline, courage and clarity of vision secured his place as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished leaders.

 

He urged African leaders to uphold the ideals the late Head of State stood for, including accountable governance, conflict resolution, poverty reduction, improved education and economic transformation through value addition to local resources.

“Africa will truly come of age when we create opportunities for our youth at home and ensure the welfare of our people,” the President said.

The President noted that honouring Mohammed requires a recommitment to service, integrity and patriotism in fulfilling the aspirations of Africa’s founding heroes.