Chairman of Board of Trustees of the ruling Peopel's democratic arty and former President Olusegun Obasanjo speaks on President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy Namadi Sambo during at the party's last presidential campaign rally held in Abuja on March 26, 2011. President Goodluck Jonathan has round off his presidential campaign rally ahead of April elections. President Goodluck Jonathan has round off his presidential campaign rally ahead of April elections. AFP PHOTO/ PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized the importance of transformative leadership in Africa, urging young leaders to adopt positive and impactful roles in shaping the continent’s future. Obasanjo made this call during an interactive session with 15 young African leaders at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
The session, organized by the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, brought together 10 winners of the prestigious Future Africa Leaders Awards and other participants. Obasanjo shared his personal experiences, highlighting how his outspoken nature often put him at odds with authority. “My journey to prison started because I refused to keep quiet. If there was something to comment on, I did, and that landed me in prison,” he said.
Obasanjo also reflected on his return to politics in 1999, driven by a sense of duty to rescue Nigeria from disintegration. He commended Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, for hosting the awards annually since 2013, describing it as a significant contribution to Africa’s growth.
The former president decried the reckless borrowing and corruption fueling Africa’s debt crisis. Citing an instance in Nigeria where a loan was fully repaid despite the failure to clear the site for a proposed carpet industry, he described some debts as “unexplainable.” “Most of the debts are either reckless or outright corruption,” Obasanjo lamented.
The Star Prize winner of the 2024 Future Africa Leaders Awards, Julian New Ariori from Benin Republic, expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for hosting the team. She noted that the tour of the Presidential Library provided valuable insights and inspiration.
The young leaders, drawn from countries including Libya, Morocco, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana, were led by Pastor Sylvester Ebhodaghe, Head of Media and Government Relations. The event aimed to inspire and equip the next generation of African leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive positive change.
Obasanjo’s call for transformative leadership resonates with his commitment to promoting good governance and accountability in Africa. His emphasis on the importance of leadership in shaping the continent’s future underscores the need for effective and visionary leaders.
As Africa continues to navigate the complexities of development and growth, the need for transformative leadership has never been more pressing. Obasanjo’s message serves as a rallying cry for young African leaders to step up and make a positive impact on the continent.
