A former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, says the socioeconomic and political situations in the country have remained stagnant because of leadership deficit, concluding that the only way out is for “self-centred” leaders to give way.

He spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday as Special Guest of Honour at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference, where 25 distinguished Nigerians were conferred with honorary Doctorate in leadership by a South Africa-based Immanuel Theology Institute International in affiliation with Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc.

According to him, for Nigeria to progress from its present dilemma, the present crops of those he labelled “self-centred leaders” occupying offices at all levels of governance must loosen their hold on the country.


He said the country is presently plagued at all levels by a band of self-centred leaders who are deficit of knowledge, bereft of understanding and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centrepiece for development.

He challenged Nigerians to seek, by all means possible, an end to the culture of enthroning transactional leaders as against transformational leaders who will deliver good governance.

“There is no end to leadership and service to your community until you breathe the last. And you can never be too old to be a leader and to give something to the community in which you lead and serve as a leader, to serve your state, your country, the continent and the world,” he said

“And if you ask me in one word, what is the bane of Nigeria today? I will not think about it twice. I will say it is leadership. Leadership that is self-centred, leadership that is a deficit of knowledge and understanding and leadership that does not see service as the centrepiece of what leadership is all about.

“If we can get the leadership right, we will get all other things right. This is what LEIC is doing that is commendable and very good. We must encourage and inculcate good leadership into every level of our national life.”

Obasanjo commended the International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative incorporated, Prof. Olusesi Obateye, and the President of the South Africa–based Institute, Prof. Van Den Berg Edward Alfred, for recognising and encouraging some Nigerians with leadership capacities.

Earlier, the International Coordinator of the organization, Prof. Olusesi Obateye, who spoke on the theme of the conference “Responsible and responsive leadership,” lamented the dearth of good leaders, saying it remains the bane of Nigeria’s under-development for almost 64 years after Independence.

Among those honoured with doctorate awards were three former Commissioners in Ogun State, Engr. Anthony Ojeshina, Hon. Kehinde Sogunle and Hon. Dele Obadina, as well as erstwhile State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Joju Fadairo and a former Director, Central Bank of Nigeria, Engr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi.

DWickedLandLord:
Thank God PO didn't say it


#confusedidiots

Thundafireseun:


So in your Olodo head you really feel PO will do any differently from all other Nigerian leaders??

saintopus:


Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

Thundafireseun:


So in your Olodo head you really feel PO will do any differently from all other Nigerian leaders??

stanluiz:
So how much are you buying fuel now under tinubu ?

saintopus:


Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

saintopus:

If I buy fuel N1000 per litre under Tinubu, that is the same amount I would have bought under Peter Obi. Perhaps N1200 under Atiku.

saintopus:


Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

saintopus:
The followers are even more self-centered than the leaders. The difference perhaps is that the followers haven't gotten the opportunity to be leaders, otherwise they will be worse

For instance, both Peter Obi and Atiku had promised to remove fuel subsidy and float or devalue the naira.

In fact Atiku own is the worst, he promised selling NNPC, Refinery, National stadium etc. With Atiku as president we would be battling with unemployment resulting from the sale of the national patrimony.

So my brother our leaders are the problem but we are the greater problem. A nation deserve the kind of leaders they have. We are the true reflection of our leaders.

seunmsg:
How I wish selfless Olusegun Obasanjo can be president of Nigeria for just 3 months. Trust me, he will fix all our problems and Nigeria will never remain the same again. How I wish.

saintopus:

If I buy fuel N1000 per litre under Tinubu, that is the same amount I would have bought under Peter Obi. Perhaps N1200 under Atiku.

Spandau:


My Director!! 😜😜😜😜🤪🤪 You're back from Kuje.

seunmsg:
How I wish selfless Olusegun Obasanjo can be president of Nigeria for just 3 months. Trust me, he will fix all our problems and Nigeria will never remain the same again. How I wish.

Tellmeastory:


You are 1,000% correct.

This Nairaland itself is full of CRIMINALS whom, if you give them power to rule Nigeria, will destroy the country and loot it dry.

And they are the same people who complain endlessly about the govt simply because it is not THEM that have the opportunity to loot.

The problem is the people.

slivertongue:
Worst are the APC folks