The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, on Monday urged African leaders to stop prioritising procurement of arms and ammunition.
Tsvangirai gave the advice in Owerri at the 10th anniversary of Rochas Foundation Colleges and 50th birthday anniversary of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo.
The prime minister said that African leaders should advance the economic prosperity of the continent by investing in children and the future.
“African governments and communities should change their attitudes towards the underprivileged and it is the responsibility of all of us to look after them,” he said.
He commended Okorocha for establishing the colleges in different parts of the country where thousands of indigent students were being?trained free.
“You are an amazing person for not investing in arms and the military but rather investing in children, the young and the vulnerable.
“What we are seeing today is the celebration of an individual dedicated to the uplift of the African child,'' he said.
Also speaking, former military President Ibrahim Babangida said that Rochas Foundaton Colleges were committed to the eradication of ignorance, poverty and hopelessness in the life of the Nigerian child.
Babangida said that by establishing the colleges in Kano, Ibadan, Jos, Owerri and other parts of the country, the foundation was championing national integration and cohesion.
He advised the governor to weigh every criticism and allow superior reasoning to prevail in the course of administering the state.
The former president commended Okorocha for developing the infrastructure of the state, adding, “you are on your way to living forever in the hearts of Nigerians because of your good work”.
Okorocha, while thanking his guests, restated his commitment to improving the lot of indigent children in the country.
The ceremony was attended by the governors of Rivers, Kano State, Katsina State, Delta, deputy governors as well as workers and students. (NAN)