Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a pan- African whose passion and vision for Africa is to be led by quality leadership for good governance and economic development of the black continent.
He stated this on Tuesday at a lecture to mark the 87th birthday of Chief Obasanjo titled, “Quality Leadership and Inclusive Democracy as Catalysts for Development in a Strife-Ridden World” at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Abiodun, while acknowledging the former president as a leading voice in the quest for political emancipation and good governance in Africa praised him for being a respected democratic leader globally who is deeply connected to his roots.
He lauded Obasanjo’s virtue as a detribalised Nigerian and pan-African whose passion for culture and traditions, anti-corruption as well as social justice remains unshaken and unparalleled
He said, “Baba has become a world-respected democratic leader, a detribalised Nigerian, and a pan-African whose passion and vision is for Africa that is being led by quality leadership for the desired economic development.
“Baba is deeply connected to his roots. Baba’s passion for his culture and tradition is unparalleled.
“Baba remains the leading voice in his quest for political emancipation, good governance, anti-corruption and social justice.”
The Governor commended the former president for being far-sighted with a knack for nurturing leaders.
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Chairman of the lecture, stressed that access to justice, quality of elections, and tribalism are some of the factors working against quality leadership in Africa.
Jonathan said that there was a need to look at the issues of winner-takes-it-all in politics, noting that when a president is elected, he isn’t just the president of his party alone, but a president of all.
He added that whenever a serving president brings an opposition on board his team, it tends to bring quality and inclusiveness into governance
Earlier, a former President of Slovenia and the Chairman of Club De Madrid, Danilo Turk, stated the club is currently involved in establishing a body that will look at fighting corruption around the world.
He noted that the club would not get tired in its quest to ensure that democracy succeeds around the world, adding that it is important that the people are given a choice as democracy should be beyond the elite in any country.
