Angola has honoured late Nigerian leader General Murtala Muhammed for his bold and principled stand during and after the country’s liberation struggle and independence.
Murtala’s name resonated during Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Luanda, when various leaders paid glowing tribute to a man who defied global scepticism and affirmed Nigeria’s leadership as the moral voice of Africa at the time.
Nigeria under Murtala was the first country in the world to recognise Angola as an independent nation, and offered vital economic support to the new country that was facing economic blockade and international isolation,
One of the speakers, the President of Angola–Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tangyalamba Veloso paid glowing tribute to General Murtala for his unwavering courage and foresight and Nigeria’s role in the attainment of Angola’s independence.
“Nigeria’s stance was bold and principled. Despite Cold War tensions and opposition from Western powers, General Murtala Mohammed declared Angola’s government legitimate in 1975, defying global scepticism and affirming Nigeria’s leadership as the moral voice of Africa,” he said.
Veloso narrated how Murtala personally travelled to Angola to meet the country’s leaders and challenged international oil companies that were pulling out in protest of the independence movement.
“He told the oil companies, if you pull out of Angola and don’t give them back their resources, you will also pull out from Nigeria and lose all your money. You won’t have Angola nor Nigeria to help your finance,” she recounted.
According to Veloso, that act of leadership changed the course of Angola’s history.
“He was the first to provide financial assistance – $17 million—and the first president to recognise Angola as an independent country,” she said to loud applause.
Her tribute not only honoured a hero but also reminded the world of a time when Nigeria’s voice resonated across the continent as a beacon of hope and leadership.
