ABUJA, Nigeria – Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday underscored the need for resilient institutions and investment in Africa’s youth at the opening ceremony of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 33 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Addressing senior military officers, government officials, and international participants, Kenyatta called for structural reforms that bolster national security and economic stability.
As the former Kenyan head of state took to the stage, he emphasized the critical role that each nation’s strength plays in fostering a secure, interconnected continent.
“The nucleus of strong regions is strong nations. We must get it right in our individual nations to build a more robust collective,” Kenyatta said, stressing that durable institutions are foundational for Africa’s future security and development.
The NDC’s 33rd course intake brings together diverse leadership from across Africa to delve into national and international security issues through a rigorous academic curriculum.
The former president shared six key lessons from his tenure, outlining how robust institutions enable sustainable development, with special emphasis on equitable governance and financial transparency.
Speaking to Africa’s youth, Kenyatta called for creating viable economic and social opportunities to harness the continent’s “demographic dividend.”
“Today, the much-touted demographic dividend of our youth has matured, and our young people would like to cash in their checks immediately,” he noted, urging leaders to prioritize youth investment as a bedrock of institutional resilience.
Kenyatta also underscored the ethical stewardship of public finances, advocating for equitable tax practices and transparency to establish functional markets.
“Citizens across the continent are increasingly aware of the social contract existing between themselves and the state,” he said, urging governments to address citizens’ demands for accountability and social equity.
Highlighting Africa’s abundant natural resources, he called for a shift in how resources are managed to ensure they serve the public interest.
“Africa has been endowed with abundant resources, yet it is not immediately evident that this wealth has improved the lives of its citizens,” Kenyatta pointed out.
In his role as a member of the African Union’s High-Level Panel for Ethiopia and Facilitator of the East African Community-led Nairobi Peace Process, Kenyatta reaffirmed the military’s essential role in national security, stressing that it must operate under civilian oversight and constitutional boundaries.
He concluded by calling for stronger electoral systems as pillars of democracy, warning that weakened electoral institutions could undermine leadership credibility.
“Failure to build credibility in electoral institutions may ultimately undermine the quality of leadership,” he said, urging a commitment to fair and transparent electoral processes.
Addressing senior military officers, government officials, and international participants, Kenyatta called for structural reforms that bolster national security and economic stability.
As the former Kenyan head of state took to the stage, he emphasized the critical role that each nation’s strength plays in fostering a secure, interconnected continent.
“The nucleus of strong regions is strong nations. We must get it right in our individual nations to build a more robust collective,” Kenyatta said, stressing that durable institutions are foundational for Africa’s future security and development.
The NDC’s 33rd course intake brings together diverse leadership from across Africa to delve into national and international security issues through a rigorous academic curriculum.
The former president shared six key lessons from his tenure, outlining how robust institutions enable sustainable development, with special emphasis on equitable governance and financial transparency.
Speaking to Africa’s youth, Kenyatta called for creating viable economic and social opportunities to harness the continent’s “demographic dividend.”
“Today, the much-touted demographic dividend of our youth has matured, and our young people would like to cash in their checks immediately,” he noted, urging leaders to prioritize youth investment as a bedrock of institutional resilience.
Kenyatta also underscored the ethical stewardship of public finances, advocating for equitable tax practices and transparency to establish functional markets.
“Citizens across the continent are increasingly aware of the social contract existing between themselves and the state,” he said, urging governments to address citizens’ demands for accountability and social equity.
Highlighting Africa’s abundant natural resources, he called for a shift in how resources are managed to ensure they serve the public interest.
“Africa has been endowed with abundant resources, yet it is not immediately evident that this wealth has improved the lives of its citizens,” Kenyatta pointed out.
In his role as a member of the African Union’s High-Level Panel for Ethiopia and Facilitator of the East African Community-led Nairobi Peace Process, Kenyatta reaffirmed the military’s essential role in national security, stressing that it must operate under civilian oversight and constitutional boundaries.
He concluded by calling for stronger electoral systems as pillars of democracy, warning that weakened electoral institutions could undermine leadership credibility.
“Failure to build credibility in electoral institutions may ultimately undermine the quality of leadership,” he said, urging a commitment to fair and transparent electoral processes.
