President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the importance of a united African military in addressing the continent’s security challenges.
Tinubu made the call on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the second Africa Military Games (AMGA) in Abuja.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu highlighted the games as a historic opportunity to foster unity, camaraderie, and military cooperation across Africa. The event, themed “Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa through Sports,” revives a tradition first initiated over two decades ago in Nairobi, Kenya.
“No country can tackle its security challenges alone,” Tinubu said at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. “Our collective safety and the well-being of our people demand that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one united Africa.”
The president lauded the African military for its role in safeguarding the continent and stressed the critical need for solidarity among nations.
“This occasion is more than a gathering of extraordinary athletes; it is an undeniable reminder of the cooperation that binds the military institutions across our continent,” he noted. “We reaffirm today the promise of what we can achieve together—not just as neighbors but as guardians of a continent that depends on your valour, sacrifices, and unyielding dedication.”
Tinubu commended Chief of Defence Staff General C.G. Musa and Major General M. Abdullahi, President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), for their leadership in reviving the event.
He also underscored the role of sports in instilling core values such as integrity, discipline, and resilience in military personnel.
“Sports not only keep us physically fit but also infuse values that enhance excellence and duty. Fit and disciplined service members are better equipped to confront the challenges of their responsibilities with confidence,” Tinubu said.
He added that Africa’s security challenges require more than just military measures, calling for deeper partnerships among nations.
“As long as any nation within our shared geography remains under threat, none of us can declare our continent secure. Together, we will build a safer, stronger Africa.”
