Nigeria lacks good leadership – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday, said Nigeria lacks good leadership.
Obasanjo, who spoke during the final of the Africa Region Inter-collegiate Debate on Human Security Africa, organised by Centre for Human Security, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, said the lack of leadership in Nigeria has resulted in failure to harness the human and material resources of the country.
He said the lack of leadership among other factors will continue to put the country behind.
The debate, put together by Professors Akin Mabogunje and Peter Okebukola is to encourage young Nigerian students to develop leadership skills.
Obasanjo, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said: “On the topic you have chosen for this debate, ‘Human Security in Africa’, whether it is a myth or reality, threat to human security, high economic growth, whether it is flash in the pan or sustainable, it 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 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 Professors Akin Mabogunje and Peter Okebukola are putting together.
It’s to try and prepare African youths, boys and girls, together that future belongs to you youths.
“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 caliber of women, 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 explains in his book, ‘Why Africa is poor’ but it’s a choice, a choice that our leaders have made.
“But here watching you at the college level and university level, I believe that the materials are there.”
Obasanjo expressed shock at the decision of six six Ph.D and 600 masters degree holders to take up the jobs of truck drivers with Dangote Industries Limited.
He blamed it on scarcity of jobs.