A former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, said it is important for a leader to have a close relationship with God, adding that any leader who does not have the fear of God is dangerous.
Obasanjo, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday, also called on Nigerian youths to believe in Nigeria and develop love for the country, insisting there was no alternative to their country.
The ex-President participated in The Bridge Foundation’s Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship programme on Thursday.
Obasanjo said: “Knowledge is very important, accurate knowledge. You also need the fear of God and proximity to God. When you are a leader and you do not fear God, then you are a dangerous leader.
“Wherever you may choose, leadership is very important and the principles are basically the same. A good leader must have certain characteristics, knowledge is good, but not enough. How diligent are you? What is your level of integrity? What are the values that you cherish?”
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The former President said the way forward for Nigeria was for the nation not to lose.
“Let us get it right and in two years we will forget everything. You have to get involved in everything.
“You are the leaders of today, if you don’t take it now, you will never get it. You have to be positively disruptive, don’t accept things the way they are. You need to make those who need to be made uncomfortable, uncomfortable.”
The former President also called for a national discourse on Nigeria’s democracy.
“What is Nigeria’s history in democracy? What is Nigeria’s value? What is our culture in democracy? Let us rethink the context and the content of our democracy. Let’s interrogate, let’s ask questions. If you don’t do it, who else will do it?