Theme : “NEPAD: A Blueprint for African Economic Development.”
Keynote Speaker: H.E. Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of Botswana, and H.E. Atiku Abubakar
Held annually on February 13th, the Murtala Muhammed Annual Memorial Lecture is a tribute to Nigeria’s 4th Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, who was tragically assassinated on this date. This event not only honors his legacy but also provides a crucial platform for discussing key developmental issues with global leaders and distinguished statesmen.
The 2003 Annual Lecture, themed “NEPAD: A Blueprint for African Economic Development,” featured keynote addresses by H.E. Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of Botswana, and H.E. Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria. The event focused on Africa’s development in the context of foreign policies, emphasizing sustainable economic growth and honouring Murtala Muhammed’s significant impact on Nigeria.
The lecture, hosted at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, on February 20, 2003, marked the eighth in the series and the first year the event was organized solely by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, taking over from the Daily Times. It provided a platform for resourceful discourse on NEPAD, a home-grown development agenda aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable growth, fostering Africa’s integration into the world economy, and accelerating women’s empowerment.
Key discussions reiterated General Murtala Muhammed’s approach to Nigerian foreign policy and emphasized the importance of African solutions to African challenges. Sir Ketumile Masire highlighted the need for strong political systems independent of foreign aid to ensure sustainable socio-economic development. He echoed General Murtala’s pan-African vision, which had been articulated in his notable 1976 speech at the Organization of African Unity Summit in Addis Ababa.
The event attracted a distinguished audience, including President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Heads of State, Governors, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Federation, Senators, Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and various traditional and religious leaders. The gathering united Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and geographical lines, reinforcing the event’s role in promoting Africa’s development and integration.
An additional highlight of the 2003 lecture was the launch of the book “Murtala Muhammed – The Architect of Modern Nigeria,” authored by Dr. Umah Ardo. This publication, celebrating the legacy of General Murtala Muhammed, was unveiled on the same day as the lecture, further commemorating his contributions to Nigeria and the African continent.
The Murtala Muhammed Annual Memorial Lecture continues to be a national platform, attracting key stakeholders and leaders and providing an enabling environment to address public concerns with recommendations from both local and international experts.
