From January 21-23, 2024, Nigeria will host the International Centenary Commemoration of the passing of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian leader recognized for leading the first Socialist Revolution. Not just a lawyer, but also a theoretician, strategist, tactician, and organizer, Lenin is widely considered the 20th Century’s most prominent advocate of Working Peoples’ Power.
The former leader of Russia and the Soviet Union led the October 1917 Russian Revolution, which turned the theoretical works of Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels into practical politics. This revolution led to the establishment of the USSR and the formation of the Eastern Bloc, fundamentally altering global political dynamics.
Lenin’s Influence on Global Revolutions
Lenin’s influence extended beyond the borders of the Soviet Union, sparking revolutions worldwide, including in Vietnam, North Korea, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The USSR, now defunct, was instrumental in the success of the liberation movements and independence in Africa, offering training, logistics, arms, and funding.
A Global Conference to Analyze Marxism-Leninism
The international conference, backed by an International Advisory Board spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa, aims to dissect Marxism-Leninism as a tool for analyzing neo-liberalism, multilateralism, globalism, and the contemporary world. The conference will delve into the reasons behind the Socialist Bloc’s collapse and investigate whether Marxism-Leninism remains a valuable tool for understanding and tackling the current challenges of democracy and underdevelopment in Africa.
The conference will not only be a platform for academic discourse but also a celebration of Nigerian socialists and other Africans who made significant contributions during their lifetime. The contributions of socialist leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, Samora Machel, Agostinho Neto, and Amilcar Cabral will be analyzed during the conference.
Broader Topics of Discussion
The conference aims to foster a broader discussion on a variety of topics, including poverty, good governance, the Working Class and Popular Struggles, Africa and African Diaspora in the Americas, culture, arts, internationalism, colonialism, and emancipation.
By hosting the International Centenary Commemoration of the passing of Vladimir Lenin, Nigeria is providing a global stage for dialogue, analysis, and celebration of a significant historical figure and his enduring influence on the world’s political landscape.