Diri Urges Stronger African Unity, Economic Integration
Bayelsa hosts Central African delegation as Diri champions continental cooperation and investment.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged African leaders to dismantle existing barriers hindering continental unity and economic integration, stressing that such cohesion is vital for Africa’s sustainable development.
Diri made this call on Monday during a courtesy visit by a ministerial delegation from the Central African Republic, led by the Minister of State for Education, Auretien Simplice Zingas, at the Government House in Yenagoa. The governor was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri said that Africa must overcome the legacy of colonial partitioning, which continues to impede both socio-cultural integration and economic growth across the continent.
“I believe the scrambling and partitioning of Africa created imaginary walls that divided us. Those walls should be broken down at this age and time,” Diri stated.
“Western countries, especially in Europe, don’t have borders. So why should Africa continue to have them?”
Diri emphasized that over 70% of natural resources used in global industrial development originate from Africa, yet the continent remains underdeveloped due to weak integration and exploitation by foreign powers.
While commending the visit of the Central African delegation to study the Bayelsa Prime education model, Diri reaffirmed education as a top priority for his administration.
“We are not going to rest on our laurels. The government will deploy more resources to ensure Bayelsa becomes the Mecca of education and sports in Nigeria,” he said.
He also expressed Bayelsa’s readiness to partner with other African nations in key development areas and encouraged foreign and African investors to consider portfolio investments in the state for mutual benefit.
In response, Minister Zingas, speaking through an interpreter, said the Central African Republic was impressed by the achievements of the BayelsaPrime initiative, which has notably reduced out-of-school children and improved teacher attendance through technology.
He disclosed that the CAR government has signed an agreement with New Global Education to replicate the BayelsaPrime model in their education system.
“We are here to learn from Bayelsa and to implement a similar success story in our country,” Zingas noted, thanking the state government for its hospitality.
