Former President Olusegun Obasanjo shared on Monday his deep admiration for former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, recognizing him as one of the few global leaders celebrated during their lifetime.
Obasanjo made this remark at the opening ceremony of the four-day International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Value-Based Leadership Model for Africa,” drew participation from numerous African and European leaders as well as global Christian figures.
In his address, Obasanjo likened Gowon to the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whom he referred to as an unsung hero.
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He noted that despite Churchill’s patriotism and military accomplishments, he was initially overlooked, only to be recognized later in life with a “Man of the Century” award.
He stated, “Only a few leaders are appreciated in their lifetime. General (Gowon), I envy you because you are appreciated while still alive. That, too, is the grace of God in your life. You are like Winston Churchill. He fought in the night, on the sea, and for the British Empire. In the end, he was unrecognised, called a warmonger, and even voted out of Parliament.
Yet, before he died, he was named ‘Man of the Century’ and appreciated.”
Obasanjo continued, “Many leaders may not be appreciated, including our Lord Jesus Christ and almost all his disciples. Many of them died in ways unbefitting of a leader. So, if a leader expects praise, adoration, or admiration from people, he will be sorely disappointed. But God takes care of leaders. Experts say there are 58 wars in the world today, with 92 countries involved, either directly or indirectly. That is half of the countries in the world. Yet, they say there is no Third World War. So what do we do?”
Obasanjo also voiced concern over the declining standards of global leadership, lamenting that many current leaders rely primarily on intuition.
He criticized state actors for engaging in critical leadership issues for which they have little or no understanding.
Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, supported Obasanjo’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for effective leadership in Africa.
Gana remarked, “In a world characterised by unprecedented challenges and complexities, Africa stands at a critical juncture. The need for visionary, ethical, and value-based leadership has never been more urgent. The future of Africa hinges on our ability to cultivate leaders who are not only competent but also compassionate and committed to the well-being of ordinary citizens across our countries.”
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