From Our Correspondent
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified the bane of Nigeria’s present political and economic dilemma, tracing it to leadership deficit and self-centeredness.
TheNewsZenith reports that Obasanjo spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference (LEIC) at the weekend in Abeokuta.
At the conference, 25 Nigerians received an honorary Doctorate in Leadership from a South Africa-based Immanuel Theology Institute International.
The institute is in affiliation with Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc.
To Obasanjo, for Nigeria to progress from its current dilemma, the present crops of leaders, whom he labelled “self-centred” must lose their hold on the country.
According to him, Nigeria is presently plagued at all levels by a band of self-centred leaders, who are deficient in knowledge.
“They are bereft of understanding and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centrepiece for development.”
He urged Nigerians to seek an end to the culture of enthroning transactional leaders. This is against transformational leaders who will deliver good governance.
Speaking extempore, Obasanjo said there was no end to leadership and service to the community until one breathes the last.
“You can never be too old to be a leader and to give something to the community you lead.
“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.
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“Self-centred Leadership is deficient in knowledge and understanding. They are leaders who do 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,” he said.
Obasanjo also commended the International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative incorporated, Prof. Olusesi Obateye.
He also praised the President of the South Africa–based Institute, Prof. Van Den Berg Edward Alfred for encouraging some Nigerians with leadership capacities.
Earlier, Obateye had spoken on the theme of the conference, which is “Responsible and responsive leadership”.
He complained about the dearth of good leaders, saying leadership remained the bane of Nigeria’s under-development for almost 64 years after Independence.
Those Nigerians honoured with doctorate awards were three former Commissioners in Ogun State, Anthony Ojeshina, Kehinde Sogunle and Dele Obadina.
A former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Joju Fadairo and a former Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi among others also received the award.
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