Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti popularly known as Femi Kuti recently admonished Africa’s leadership for their governance and stewardship of the continent’s resources.
Speaking in a recent interview on Capital FM Kenya with Amina Adbi, Kuti pointed out that it is time for the leadership and all Africans to “release the chains around their necks.” Referring to the neocolonialism that continues to capture African states, and the poverty that it continues to perpetuate keep up from true progress.
In relation to his dream to one day drive from Lagos to Johannesburg, Kuti lamented that the infrastructural systems are lacking, yet we have all the resources needed . He said, “We just don’t have the right people in power…if we did think inwards, Africa would be the envy of the world…just imagine going from Lagos to Nairobi”. He went on to note that the leaders take corners to provide services citing second-hand trains that are bought for the railway lines and poorly constructed roads that are washed away with heavy rains.
He lamented, “everything is so bad, and it boils down to bad leadership…we have to be very frank with ourselves…if one person on this continent sleeps hungry, we have failed!”
The ‘Beng Beng’ crooner went on to speak on the effects of colonialism, in light of the stagnant advancement of the African continent. Talking about the poor facilities in Africa, Capital FM Breakfast984 show presenter noted “we have a lot of our leaders who have the capacity to go and seek medical treatment outside the country, whereas they are in the positions of power to drive policy and get funds… for them to setup the institutions to ensure our people get the treatment that is needed.”
Femi noted, that indeed COVID-19 has only served to expose African leaders for the greed and poor leadership. “We have neglected our people! How come not one good hospital in Nigeria…so what must we should? It should be in the constitution, that ‘No leader can seek medical assistance outside their country. And no child of any public officer is allowed to to attend private school…you should look stupid going to a private school.”
Femi Kuti is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, women’s rights activist and traditional aristocrat Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. He performed at 26th Edition of Koroga Festival.