Nigeria lacks good leaders —OBJ

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said that there are not many good leaders in Nigeria.
He said this during the semi-finals and finals of the Africa Regional Inter Collegiate Debate and Inter University Debate on Human Security held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).
Obasanjo said he believed that the leadership problem could be addressed, hence the need to train the youths for the future.
Students from universities and secondary Schools from Nigeria and other African countries participated in the debate.
 He said, “On the topic you have chosen for this debate, Human security in Africa; whether it’s a myth or reality, threat to human security, high economic growth, whether it is flash in the pan or sustainable.
“All comes to one major thing and that one major thing is leadership. Very soon, I do hope that we’ll bring leadership in all dimensions and in all ramifications.
“I realise that we have many Nigerians and there are not many good leaders in Nigeria.
“Whatever it is the reason, it is something we have to tackle because we cannot continue the way it is.
 “That brings me to the hope and the bright future that I see in what Profs. Akin Mabogunje and Peter Okebukola put together (the debate).
“It’s to try and prepare African youths, boys and girls together that future belongs to you youth.
“Nobody will help Africa, nobody can help Africa and that is the truth. If we expect others from outside to come and help us, it is a second class help.
“What do I see for the future? We have the calibre of women and men, young and old that Africa needs to put itself up and to make its voice heard in the world today and tomorrow.
“Alfred Mills in his book “Why Africa is poor” but it’s a choice, a choice that our leaders have made.
“But here, watching you (students) at the college level and university level. I believe that the materials are there,” he said.
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