International Conference Celebrating Lenin’s Legacy and Soviet Support to African Liberation kicks off tomorrow in Nigeria

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Abuja, Nigeria: A four-day international conference will kick off tomorrow, January 21st, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ancestral ascension of Vladimir Lenin, the iconic leader of the 1917 Russian Revolution and founder of the Soviet Union. The event, organized by the Lenin Centenary Coordinating Committee, promises to delve into Lenin’s enduring impact on global politics, particularly his role in supporting African liberation movements.

The conference, titled “Lenin, Leninism, Africa and the World,” will be held at the Top Rank Hotels Galaxy in Utako, Abuja, and will run until January 24th. It aims to engage in critical discussions on the relevance of Lenin’s ideas and the Soviet Union’s legacy in the contemporary world, with a specific focus on their contributions to the liberation struggles of African nations.

“The October, 1917 Russian Revolution led by Lenin transformed the theory of Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels into practical politics,” reads the conference invitation. “In Africa, the defunct USSR provided training, logistics, arms and funding, crucial to the success of the liberation Movements and independence for Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde,Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.”

The conference features a diverse program, including academic presentations, exhibitions, and panel discussions. Renowned scholars and activists from across the globe are expected to participate, examining themes such as:

• Marxism-Leninism as a tool for analyzing contemporary issues like neo-liberalism, multilateralism, and the rise of bodies like the BRICS.
• The reasons behind the collapse of the Soviet Bloc and the continued relevance of Marxist-Leninist thought in tackling current challenges like democracy and underdevelopment.
• The contributions of prominent African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, Samora Machel, and Agostinho Neto to the continent’s liberation struggles.
• The broader themes of poverty, good governance, the working class, popular struggles, and the African diaspora in the context of Lenin’s legacy.

The event organizers hope to foster meaningful dialogue and critical reflection on Lenin’s enduring impact on global politics and social movements. The conference marks a significant opportunity to revisit the history of the Soviet Union’s support for African liberation and explore its continued relevance in the face of contemporary challenges.

Speaking to TOWN CRIER, the Chairperson of the Lenin Centenary Coordinating Committee, Comrade Owei Lakemfa said, “One of the goals of this conference is to let people know that there are alternatives to the current injustice that has been institutionalized cross the globe.”

He added that, “it is important to emphasize that the information system is completely controlled by those who want to continue the repression, oppression and exploitation that our world today is drown in. So, what we are doing in Nigeria is to bring people together and let them know that there are alternatives.”