Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have collectively called for decisive measures to eradicate abject poverty across the African continent.
Speaking during Dele Momodu’s leadership lecture themed “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa,” Obasanjo emphasized the importance of security before addressing hunger and stressed that education remains a powerful tool in the fight against poverty.
“Before we talk about food, security is key,” Obasanjo stated.
He maintained that leadership is a critical factor in addressing poverty, noting that all aspects of life depend on the quality of leadership.
“Leadership is the greatest ingredient for ending poverty. There’s no human endeavour that does not thrive on leadership,” he said.
Obasanjo urged that every child be given access to education and highlighted that with “integrity, discipline and good governance,” Nigeria could overcome poverty just as China lifted 700 million people out of it.
“Nigeria should have no business with abject poverty. If we don’t take responsibility, we all sit on a gunpowder keg. Until we banish poverty in Africa, international communities will not recognize us as a serious continent,” he warned.
The Ooni of Ife, in his remarks, congratulated Obasanjo and urged Nigerians to show patriotism by supporting local industries and aligning with the government’s vision.
“If we want to break poverty in this country, we have to be patriotic in all ramifications. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear,” he said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke praised Dele Momodu’s leadership initiative and decried the disconnect between political leaders and public mentorship. He said many officeholders have become inaccessible to those in need of guidance.
He noted efforts to develop Osun State and referenced an invitation extended to Obasanjo to inspect his projects, including plans to replicate Atlanta’s “spaghetti junction” model.
What you should know
At a leadership lecture hosted by Dele Momodu, key figures like Obasanjo, the Ooni of Ife, and Governor Adeleke emphasized the urgent need to eliminate poverty in Africa.
They highlighted the importance of education, leadership, patriotism, and community development as essential tools in addressing the continent’s widespread economic challenges.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM VERILY NEWS
