Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the country’s political and economic woes to a leadership deficit, citing “self-centered” leaders as the main obstacle to progress.
Speaking at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference (LEIC) in Abeokuta, Obasanjo emphasized the need for a new generation of transformational leaders to replace the current crop of transactional leaders.
“There is no end to leadership and service to your community until you breathe your 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,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo lamented that Nigeria is plagued by leaders who are “deficit of knowledge, bereft of understanding, and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centrepiece for development”.
“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”, He added.
The conference honored 25 distinguished Nigerians with honorary doctorates in leadership, including Engr. Anthony Ojeshina, former Commissioner in Ogun State; Hon. Kehinde Sogunle, former Commissioner in Ogun State; and Hon. Dele Obadina, former Commissioner in Ogun State.
Also honored were Chief Joju Fadairo, erstwhile State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Engr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, former Director, Central Bank of Nigeria; Prince Seni Ogunyemi, Commandant, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE); Hon. Dapo Adeyemi, elder statesman; Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Founder, Penpushing Media; and Mrs. Lizzy Adeboyejo, popular Adire Promoter.
Prof. Olusesi Obateye, International Coordinator of the organization, also spoke on the theme of “Responsible and Responsive Leadership,” lamenting the dearth of good leaders in Nigeria.
