Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, has emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to recruit leaders characterized by selflessness and transformation.
Obasanjo spoke on Tuesday during an event commemorating his 87th birthday in Abeokuta, Ogun state
The occasion marked not only his birthday celebration but also the launch of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), a new arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).
The event, attended by distinguished figures including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Mathew Kukah, and several governors, served as a platform for Obasanjo to underscore the importance of addressing the prevalent issue of what he termed “transactional” leadership.
The launch of OOLI coincided with the unveiling of his latest book, titled “The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical.”
Obasanjo highlighted bad leadership as the primary challenge facing Africa and called for the cultivation of a new generation of leaders who are not only selfless but also willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of the continent.
He posed critical questions about the teaching and cultivation of leadership, pointing to the Bible as a source of timeless wisdom.
The former President delved into the purpose of OOLI, emphasizing its role in teaching and inculcating leadership tenets, principles, and factors that promote unity and progress.
The institute, as envisioned by Obasanjo, aims to contribute to the development of transformational leaders across various fields.
In addition to his focus on leadership qualities, Obasanjo addressed the need for an African-style democracy that aligns with the continent’s culture and history.
He criticized the inherited Western liberal democracy, attributing electoral malpractice to its adoption and advocating for a system that prevents the manipulation of elections “by hook or crook.”
Obasanjo’s critique extended to the concept of a loyal opposition in liberal democracy, arguing that it contradicts the African way of consensus-building.
He called for a reevaluation of liberal democracy, asserting that it should be relevant to the cultural and historical context of the African continent.
Meanwhile, former President of Ghana, John Mahama, called for an all-inclusive democracy in Africa that considers the views of opposition parties, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership in overcoming challenges and achieving progress.
Mahama’s advocacy focused on the need for continuous progress even in the face of obstacles in African nations regularly conducting elections.
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