From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna

Buhari spoke at a Hausa workshop, on the place of Africa in world affairs, organised by Axis Research Agency (ARA) at Arewa House, Kaduna.

He lamented the injustice, greed and violation of citizens rights perpetuated by African leaders in control of political power.

Buhari, who was a guest speaker at the event, said: "Our leaders are known for their injustices, stealing from public coffers, cheating and violation of the rights of their citizens and sitting tight on the throne while some religious leaders, be they Christians or Moslems are known for their intolerance rather than sticking to the teaching of their Holy books.

"Most African leaders are known for illiteracy, poverty, for inciting wars between tribes and religious and even among brothers. They are afflicted with diseases which have been eradicated in other continent."

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate in the 2003 elections said that in support of these African leaders, traditional rulers had also abused the peoples trust, while businessmen were bent on acquiring wealth through dubious means.

"In other words, politics has become another word for manipulation and cheating," he said.

Buhari also remarked that African academics have been well known for initiating research that has no relevance to the needs of their own people.

According to him, universities are popular for selling honorary degrees to whosoever can afford them and even journalists who are expected to be the society's watch-dogs have become lapdogs spreading rumours and receiving money to blackmail others.

"Journalists have an important role but they should not receive money to blackmail others or use any differences they might have to becloud their news judgment to precipitate civil strife. This attitude is not journalism but evil."

Stressing that Africa is at a crossroads and if the people do not rise to the challenge they might continue to remain underdeveloped, Gen. Buhari noted that "This is important especially if we remember that we are still being controlled by a neo-colonial economic system."

The chairman of the occasion, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zak Zaky, in an address condemned the negative perception of Africa by the West, pointing out that they only saw Africa in the light of wars, diseases and disasters.

He argued that in Europe and America, there are illiterates, they fight wars, have cannibals and are also grappling with diseases and disasters, but they never highlighted these, except in Africa.

El-Zak Zaky said: "We all know that the dreaded HIV/AIDS was invented in American laboratories but they have found a way of making it indigenous to Africa."

El-Zak Zaky stressed that all these are challenges facing Africa, which the continent must rise to meet if it is to remain relevant in world affairs.

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