Obasanjo urges urgent fight against poverty, cites China’s success as model for Africa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a stirring call to action for African leaders to address poverty with urgency, discipline, and strategic intent, warning that failure to do so could lead to dire consequences for the continent.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Friday at a high-profile leadership lecture held in Victoria Island, Lagos, themed “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa.”

The event, hosted by media entrepreneur Dele Momodu, drew prominent personalities including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

In his keynote address, Obasanjo referenced China’s widely acclaimed poverty eradication effort as a benchmark for African nations. “If China can lift 700 million people out of poverty, then Africa, and especially Nigeria, has no excuse,” he declared.

“We have the natural and human resources. What we need is purposeful leadership, integrity, discipline, and vision.”

According to the former president, the fight against poverty must begin with ensuring security and education, which he described as foundational pillars for development.

“Before we talk about food, we must first talk about security,” he said. “Education is one of the most powerful tools to eradicate poverty. Where there is no education, poverty becomes inevitable.”

Obasanjo was emphatic about the role of leadership in shaping the continent’s destiny. “Leadership is the greatest ingredient for ending poverty,” he said. “To get it right, we must ensure no child is left behind. Nigeria has no business with abject poverty.”

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Sounding a warning to policymakers and elites, he described the rising tide of poverty in Africa as a ticking time bomb. “If we don’t take responsibility, we are all sitting on a gunpowder keg,” he cautioned. “Until we banish poverty from Africa, the international community will not take us seriously.”

Obasanjo’s message was echoed by other dignitaries. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, stressed the need for unity, patriotism, and collective responsibility in solving the continent’s challenges.

“We must come together as a people to rebuild this nation. The time for blame is over; what we need now is focused nation-building,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Ademola Adeleke praised Dele Momodu for his consistent commitment to promoting visionary leadership and youth empowerment. He shared highlights of his administration’s efforts to combat poverty through investments in education, infrastructure, and social welfare in Osun State.

Adeleke also commended the launch of the leadership development centre by Momodu, describing it as a timely initiative in the journey towards building responsible and effective future leaders.

In his brief remarks, Dele Momodu reaffirmed his belief that Africa’s transformation lies in visionary leadership and a well-informed citizenry.

He said the lecture was a platform for sparking necessary conversations around the urgent issues of hunger, poverty, and leadership reform across the continent.