University students in the country have been urged to be patriotic and adopt the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

Protais Musoni, a commissioner in Pan- Africanism Movement, made the remarks at the closure of a students’ leadership workshop, in Kigali on Sunday.

Musoni said, "We are reviving Pan-Africanism to get rid of Western imperialism but this can only succeed once we have liberated ourselves from the shackes of poverty.”

He said all African and some South American countries are sensitising their populations on Pan Africanism ahead of a global congress due in May, next year.

The workshop was attended by about 200 student representatives from public and private universities across the country.

Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the Chief Executive of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), urged participants to act as role models to their peers and uphold Rwandan values.

"You should be role models to everyone around you. Rwandan values are the foundation of good leadership and should therefore, be preserved,” he said.

In its second edition, the two-day annual workshop was dubbed "Enhance Youth Leadership, a catalyst for good governance promotion.”

Dr Joseph Karemera, a member of Rwanda Elders Advisory Council, noted that the country was liberated by resilient heroes and told the youth to foster a sense of self-reliance and self-esteem.

 "The youth are the future leaders but you cannot make it with only the skills you are acquiring from school,” he said.

 Participants committed to reinforcing good governance clubs, starting saving groups and Pan-Africanism clubs at their respective varsities. They also resolved to organise a students week every year in order to sensitise others on good leadership through benevolent activities.

"I am going to encourage my colleagues to join us in fostering patriotism, self-reliance and national unity,” said Mary Kantengwa, a student of Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre-Kigali.

Alex Muhire, the Executive Secretary of National Association of Students, said the workshop actively engaged the participants in governance and development of the country.