Nigeria is set to host the International Centenary Commemoration of the passing of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian who led the first Socialist Revolution and thereby changed the course of human history.
The former Russian and Soviet Union leader was born on July 6, 1923. He died on January 21, 1924.
The event will hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital from January 21-23, 2024.
A statement issued by the Chair, Lenin Centenary Coordinating Committee, Owei Lakemfa on Sunday, described Lenin as a lawyer, theoretician, strategist, tactician and organizer, who was “perhaps the greatest advocate of Working Peoples’ Power in the 20th Century and one of the greatest thinkers and intellectuals of that Century”.
Lakemfa noted that the October 1917 Russian Revolution led by Lenin transformed the theory of Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels into practical politics.
According to him, it led to the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR and the formation of Central and Eastern Europe into the Eastern Bloc in contrast to the United States-led Western Bloc.
The statement read, “Lenin’s example, also led to the explosion of revolutions in the world including those in Vietnam, Kampuchea, North Korea, Laos, the Chinese Revolution led by Chairman Mao, the Castro-led Cuban Revolution, the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua and the Venezuelan Revolution led by Hugo Chavez.
“In Africa, the defunct USSR which provided training, logistics, arms and funding, was crucial to the success of the liberation Movements and independence for Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.”
It noted that the international conference to be held in Nigeria with an International Advisory Board covering Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa, will feature exhibitions and youth programmes.
“The conference will specifically examine Marxism-Leninism as a tool for analysing neo-liberalism, multilateralism, the rise of bodies like the BRICS, globalism and the contemporary world.
“It will examine why the Socialist Bloc collapsed and if Marxism-Leninism can be used to analyse, understand and tackle the current challenges of democracy and underdevelopment in Africa and whether it is still emancipatory and relevant today,” the statement also read.
It noted that the conference will also celebrate Nigerian socialists and others in Africa who made meaningful contributions during their lifetime.
It said, “The Conference will also highlight the contributions of socialists in Nigeria such as the Zikist, Mokwugo Okoye, Labour Leader, Wahab Goodluck, Women Leader Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, intellectual, Ola Oni and Lawyer, Alao Aka-Bashorun.
“In the continent, the contributions of socialist leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, Samora Machel, Agostinho Neto and Amilcar Cabral will equally be analysed.
“The Conference will also welcome contributions on other issues like poverty, good governance, the Working Class and Popular Struggles, Africa and African Diaspora in the Americas, culture, arts, internationalism, colonialism and emancipation under the Conference theme: Lenin, Leninism, Africa and the World.”