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. 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.
Credit: channelstv.com