Former President Olusegun Obasanjo delivered a keynote address at the public presentation of a book titled “Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa” by former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga. The event took place in Abuja, and it was attended by past and current senior government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, who unveiled the book through his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Olawale Edun. Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo also spoke virtually at the event.
In his address, Obasanjo criticized Nigerian leaders, stating that many of them lacked understanding and commitment to development issues. He emphasized that leadership was the critical factor in determining a nation’s development and progress. He lamented the country’s failure to live up to expectations and underscored the need for effective leadership that understands the importance of peace, security, democracy, and prosperity.
Obasanjo also highlighted the importance of consistency and continuity of policies, noting that while Nigeria has not lacked policies, their proper implementation has been a challenge. He called for a shift in leadership orientation, character, and performance, rooted in love for humanity and fear of God, as the key to achieving significant progress.
The former President also expressed concern over the neglect of skill acquisition, empowerment, and employment of youth, which he believed contributed to issues like banditry, Boko Haram, and kidnapping. He warned that the nation was living dangerously and driving more people into poverty due to poorly implemented or absent policies.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan commended Aganga for his contributions to attracting investments to Nigeria during his tenure as trade minister. He mentioned that Nigeria became Africa’s first destination for foreign direct investment and experienced significant economic growth during that time.
Similarly, President Bola Tinubu praised Aganga’s achievements and promised to promote meritocracy, as suggested in the book.
In conclusion, the book presented by Olusegun Aganga aims to chart a new course for Nigeria by addressing leadership issues, policy implementation, and the empowerment of the youth. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others at the event expressed hope that adopting the recommendations in the book would lead Nigeria to become a prosperous and influential nation.
