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African Leaders Converge On Benin, Discuss Pathways To Functional Education On The Continent

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2024

Editor

L-R: Nigeria's Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman; Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo; former Vice President of Zambia, Dr. Nevers-Sekwila Mumba; former President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; former Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, during the 2024 Democracy Day Dialogue, organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, in Benin City, on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

… ‘African countries not making enough progress because leaders take instruction from Western countries’

African leaders, Thursday, converged on Benin City, the capital of Edo State, for the 2024 Democracy Day Dialogue, to discuss pertinent issues undermining functional education on the continent and propose solutions that will engender growth and development.

The event, which was held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Soundstage, Airport Road, Benin City, was organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, a policy think-tank set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Guests at the event include Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Mamman Tahir; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo; former President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi; former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, former Vice President of Zambia, Dr. Nevers-Sekwila Mumba; Deputy Governors of Bauchi and Bayelsa States, and other dignitaries from across Africa.

Opening the proceedings, Governor Godwin Obaseki said Africa is at a crossroads, adding that though the continent is blessed with a population of young people hungry for success.

He noted that the theme: Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development is apt because it captures the essence of moving ahead and places responsibility at the feet of political leaders in the African continent.

He said: “I welcome you all to this great gathering which serves as a platform where African and local leaders have gathered to have an honest conversation on democracy and the undeniable role of education in fostering growth and development in Africa.”

Obaseki commended the former President for his actions in keeping Nigeria united following his rare decision to concede defeat after the 2015 general election.

“The leadership ability you showed at the critical moment in our democracy saved the nation as your actions have kept us as a united nation. If not for your decision and actions, we would not have the opportunity to celebrate Democracy Day. You will forever be praised in the annals of Nigeria’s history, as your actions demonstrate the vision of your Foundation.

“As African leaders, we are responsible for making the decision that will enable the youths to play their parts in developing Africa. The future is for Africa as the decision we make will not only affect the African continent but the world at large.”

On the state’s education reforms, he said: “People are coming to Edo State to understudy our educational reforms. Our efforts brought us to the attention of the world. We are now placed amongst countries recognized for education reforms.”

Former President Jonathan thanked the Edo State Government for accepting to host the Foundation as the event coincided with the State’s Education Week, adding, “I thank the keynote speakers for opening the eyes of African leaders, showing them the way to improve and develop the continent. I urge you to meet with leaders in the education sector across the country to discuss the paper.”

“I urge our leaders to put in their best in improving our educational system for the benefit of African children.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Mamman Tahir, in his goodwill message, commended Governor Obaseki for working hard in making Edo an accelerator State for education reforms.

He noted that the figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria remains a challenge, but that the Federal Government has succeeded in returning 2 million children back to school.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, thanked the former President Jonathan for the sacrifice he made in keeping Nigeria united, as no other leader in Nigeria has beaten his record.

According to him: “Free and fair election is all Nigeria needs to correct the errors facing Nigeria as a nation.”

He said education remains the most fundamental ingredient needed to keep Nigeria on the path of development.

The Keynote Speaker and Chairman of the University Council at Cavendish University, Uganda, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi called on African leaders to ensure that all African children are educated.

He added that Africa is not making enough progress because the leaders do what other countries tell them to do, noting: “If Africa is to make any progress, what we must do is not what other countries tell us to do.

“As much as you educate all African children, you must set up special schools for the most gifted and talented children. If African countries are to rise, all villages, cities, towns, and local governments must have at least one special school for gifted and talented kids.”

Headline

Africa Coups: 10 In Five Years

Published

23 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

A military coup attempt in Benin Sunday adds to a list of such incidents on the turbulent African continent.
A group of soldiers announced that they had ousted President Patrice Talon, although his entourage said he was safe and the army was regaining control.

Here is a recap of the 10 successful coups in Africa in the last five years:

Mali

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is overthrown by five army colonels in August 2020.

In May 2021, the Malian military takes over from the civilian leaders of an interim government.
Colonel Assimi Goita, who led both coups, is sworn in as transitional president.

After promising to hold elections in February 2024, the military puts them off indefinitely, pointing to the jihadist violence plaguing the country.

In July 2025, Goita approves a law granting himself a five-year presidential mandate, renewable without election.
In September jihadists launch a fuel blockade, weakening the ruling junta.

Guinea

On September 5, 2021, mutinous troops led by lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya take over in Guinea, arresting President Alpha Conde.

Doumbouya in early November 2025 submits his candidacy ahead of December 28 elections that are meant to restore constitutional order.

Sudan

After weeks of tension between the military and civilian leaders who had shared power since the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir, the armed forces led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stage a new coup on October 25, 2021.

Since April 2023 war has raged between the regular armed forces led by Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by his former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

The conflict has so far killed tens of thousands of people and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso underwent two military coups in 2022.

In January that year mutinous soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba arrest President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Then in September army officers announce they have dismissed Damiba. Captain Ibrahim Traore becomes transitional president, but elections he promised do not materialise. In May 2024 the junta authorises him to stay for another five years in a country wracked by Islamist violence.

Niger

On July 26, 2023, members of the presidential guard overthrow Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard, takes over.

In March 2025, the junta extends by at least five years its transitional leadership of the country which is plagued by jihadist violence.

Gabon

In Gabon, ruled for 55 years by the Bongo family, army officers on August 30, 2023 overthrow President Ali Bongo Ondimba, less than an hour after he is declared winner of an election the opposition says was fraudulent.
General Brice Oligui Nguema is named transitional president.

In April 2025 he is elected president with 94.85 percent of the vote. He is sworn in on the basis of a new constitution approved by referendum during the transition.

Madagascar

In October 2025, the military ousts Madagascar’s president Andry Rajoelina and takes power following weeks of “Gen Z” anti-government protests.

Army colonel Michael Randrianirina is sworn in as Madagascar’s new president, promising elections within 18 to 24 months.

Guinea-Bissau

In November 2025, military officers in Guinea-Bissau declare they have “total control” of the coup-prone west African country, closing its borders and suspending its electoral process three days after general elections.

The military says a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” is taking over the leadership of the country “until further notice”.

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Benin Republic Presidency Breaks Silence On ‘Military Takeover’

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

Benin Republic military
Military personnel in Benin on Sunday said they had ousted President Patrice Talon, but the Presidency said he was safe and the army was regaining control.

Talon, 67, a former businessman known as the “cotton king of Cotonou,” is due to hand over power in April next year after 10 years in office marked by strong economic growth and rising jihadist violence.

West Africa has seen several coups in recent years, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and most recently Guinea-Bissau.

Early on Sunday, soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) said on state television that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”

The signal was cut later in the morning.

Shortly after the announcement, a source close to Talon told AFP the president was safe.

“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure,” they said.

“It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”

A military source confirmed the situation was “under control” and said the coup plotters had not taken Talon’s residence or the presidential offices.

The French Embassy reported on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence in the economic capital and urged French citizens to remain indoors.

Benin has a history of coups and attempted coups.

Talon, who came to power in 2016, is due to end his second term in 2026, the constitutional maximum.

The main opposition party has been excluded from the race to succeed him, leaving the ruling party to compete against a so-called “moderate” opposition.

Talon has been praised for driving economic development but is often accused of authoritarianism.

(AFP)

Headline

JUST IN: Soldiers Announce Military Takeover Of Govt In Benin Republic

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

A group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television on Sunday to announce the dissolution of the government in what is being described as an apparent coup, marking yet another power seizure in West Africa.

Identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, the soldiers declared the removal of the president and all state institutions.

President Patrice Talon, who has been in office since 2016, was scheduled to leave office next April after the presidential election. His party’s preferred candidate, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, had been widely viewed as the frontrunner. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have “sufficient sponsors.”

The takeover comes a month after Benin’s legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years while retaining the two-term limit.

(AFP)