The Dean, African Ambassadors Group for the 55th Africa Day, Salaheddine Ibrahim, said on Saturday that culture could be used as a tool to unite the people of African.

Ibrahim, who is also the Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, made this known in a speech he delivered at the African Day celebration held in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigerian reports that the programme began with ambassadors from the five regions in Africa receiving guests with a display from a combination of African cultural troops dancing to welcome invited guests.

At the occasion dances from the five regions was also performed to commemorate the day and the unity of Africa.

Different cultural attires were on display as countries tried to showcase their rich culture at the event to mark the 55th Anniversary of Africa Day celebration.

The theme of this event was; “winning the fight against corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation’’.

Report also has it that the AU in May 25, 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 32 African states that had achieved independence at that time agreed to establish a common unity.

The Organization of African Unity (OAU), to commemorate this historic event, the 25th of May is celebrated as Africa Day.

A further 21 members joined gradually, reaching a total of 53 by the time of the AU’s creation in 2002. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African Union (AU) member.

Ibrahim noted that, as the continent celebrates its 55th day which marks the historical mile stone in 1963 that has produce the African Union (AU).

“As we are celebrating a very special day very dear to us, which marks the historical miles stone in 1963, the founding fathers gave birth to our continental body.

“The organization of OAU, the predecessor of the Present day AU.  As per tradition we celebrate this day under a particular theme, which is winning the fight against corruption.

“As you all know, 2018 has been declared by the AU policy organs as the African anti-corruption year.