African Day Message by Prof. PLO Lumumba
Let us be Pan-Africanists in deed, not just in word.
06 Jun, 2026
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"Fellow Africans, sons and daughters of this great continent,
Today we celebrate African Day. It is not merely a date on the calendar, but a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and the destiny we must claim.
On this day in 1963, our forebearers gathered in Addis Ababa and declared that Africa must speak with one voice. They understood that colonialism had divided us, but our blood, our history, and our struggle were one. Kwame Nkrumah said it plainly: “We must unite now or perish.” That call has not grown old. It burns brighter today.
We are a continent blessed beyond measure. Beneath our soil lie minerals that power the world. Above our soil grows food that can feed millions. Within our people resides a creativity, resilience, and spirit that no empire could break. Yet for too long we have exported raw materials and imported finished goods, exported our youth and imported foreign solutions. That must end.
The Africa we want is an Africa that thinks for itself, trades with itself, and defends itself. An Africa where the DRC’s cobalt builds batteries in Nairobi, where Nigeria’s gas powers factories in Accra, and where Ethiopian ideas shape policy in Dakar. Unity is not a slogan. It is economics, it is security, it is dignity.
To the youth of Africa: you are not the leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders of today. Refuse to be defined by the poverty of our politics. Demand accountability. Build, invent, agitate, and lead. The Africa of our dreams will not be delivered by outsiders. It will be built by your hands and your minds.
Let us honour our ancestors not with speeches alone, but with action. Let us be Pan-Africanists in deed, not just in word. Let us make African Day a day of recommitment to self-reliance, integration, and justice.
Africa must rise. Africa will rise. And it will rise through us.
Happy African Day.
"Aluta continua, victoria acerta."
Photo Credit: University of Education, Winneba.
About the author
My name is Abeson Alex, a student at St. Lawrence University, whose leadership journey reflects a deep commitment to service, integrity, and community transformation. I have held various leadership positions, including UNSA President of St. Charles Lwanga College Koboko, UNSA District Executive Council Speaker, UNSA Speaker for West Nile, and West Nile Representative to the UNSA National Executive Council. I also served as YCS Section Leader of St. Charles Lwanga College Koboko, YCS Federation Leader for Koboko District, and Koboko YCS Coordinator to the Diocese. In addition, I was a Peace Founder and Security Council Speaker for the peace agreement between St. Charles Lwanga College Koboko and Koboko Town College. I served as Debate Club Chairperson of St. Charles Lwanga College Koboko, District Debate Coordinator, and West Nile Debate Coordinator to the National Debate Council (NDC). All the above were in 2022-2023. My other leadership roles include Chairperson of the Writers and Readers Club, UNSA Representative in the District Youth Council, Students’ Advocate for Reproductive Health, and Students’ GBV Advocate for the District. Within the Church, I served as Chairperson of the Altarservers of Ombaci Chapel, Parish Altarservers Chairperson of Koboko Parish, and Speaker of the Altarservers Ministry in Arua Diocese. Current Positions: Currently, I serve as the Diocesan Altarservers Chairperson of Arua Catholic Diocese, Advisor of the Altarservers Ministry for both Ombaci Chapel and Koboko Parish, and Programs Coordinator of Destined Youth of Christ (DYC-UG). I am also a Finalist in the Global Unites Oratory Competition 2024, the current Debate Club Speaker and President of St. Lawrence University Koboko Students Association. Additionally, I am the Youth Chairperson of Lombe Village, Midia Parish, and Midia Sub-county in koboko district. I am one whose life has been revolving around ensuring that in our imperfections as humans, we can promote transparency, righteousness, and morality to attain perfection. I am inspired by the guiding words: Mobilization, Influence, Engagement, and Advocacy. I share my inspiration across the fields of Relationships, Career, Governance, Faith, Education, Spirituality, Anti-corruption, Environmental Conservation, Business & Self-Reliance, politics , Administration,Financial Literacy, Religion, and Human Rights. Thanks for the encounter.
