Former President Olusegun Obasanjo stated on Saturday that Nigeria is becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, and complex. He attributed the growing insecurity to the country’s dangerous conditions, marked by widespread suffering and hunger.
Speaking at the Africa Methodist Council Heads of Conference Summit and Women’s Movement Leadership Summit in Lagos, where he chaired the public lecture, Obasanjo emphasized the need for leadership to take responsibility and create a better world for Nigerians.
The lecture was delivered by Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council, on the topic “Leadership in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous World.”
Obasanjo called for Nigerian leaders to re-evaluate their approach to the world, stressing the necessity of a new generation of moral, transformational, and servant leaders.
He highlighted that effective leadership is crucial for leveraging Africa’s resources and fostering hope, prosperity, security, and peace on the continent.
Reflecting on his own leadership journey, Obasanjo recalled the advice he received from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, which influenced his decision to run for the presidency after his release from prison.
He emphasized the importance of maximizing the potential of good leaders, likening their rarity to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
During the Q&A session, Obasanjo criticized the removal of History from Nigeria’s educational curriculum, describing it as a significant misstep.
He stressed the importance of preserving historical knowledge to prevent future generations from repeating past mistakes.
Additionally, Obasanjo lamented that the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria led to the neglect of agriculture, which he views as a renewable asset essential for the country’s sustainable development.
He called for a renewed focus on agriculture to secure Nigeria’s future.
