Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said ineffective leadership remains the major obstacle to development across African countries.
He argued that when leaders lack proper formation and vision, nations become divided, public resources are mismanaged, children go to bed hungry without access to education, and many young people with promising futures lose hope and resort to taking “dangerous risks” in search of better opportunities abroad.
Obasanjo made the remarks in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while speaking to graduates of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute.
The convocation ceremony formed part of activities marking the former president’s 89th birthday lecture titled “The Global Africa Enlightenment: From Chains to Renaissance.”
The event was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta and drew several prominent figures, including former presidential candidates of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; and former governors of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
The lecture held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta attracted prominent personalities, including former Presidential candidates of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, respectively; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; his predecessors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
