Obasanjo offers a solution to end poverty in Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked African countries to face poverty with urgency and purpose, attracting attention to Chinese extraordinary achievements in lifting 700 million people out of poverty as a benchmark for what might happen on the continent.

Obasanjo made a statement on Friday at a leadership lecture organized by Media Dele Momodu businessman, themed “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa”, held on Victoria Island, Lagos. This event united officials including Ooni from Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogeunwusi, and State Governor Osun Ademola Adeleke.

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

Speaking with beliefs formed by leadership experiences for decades, Obasanjo identified leadership as the most critical factor in the struggle of Africa against poverty. “Leadership is the biggest material to end poverty,” he said. “To fix it, we must ensure that no children are not educated.”

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The former president stressed that Nigeria has resources and the potential to overcome poverty and hunger, but warns that achieving this will require good integrity, discipline, and government. “Nigeria has no business with despicable poverty,” he said. “If China can lift 700 million people out of poverty, we can also do it.”

Obasanjo warned that the failure to act firmly could have great consequences, describing the current state of poverty as “gunpowder powder bar” which is waiting to explode. “If we are not responsible, we all sit in the gunpowder powder barrel,” he warned. “Until we get rid of poverty in Africa, the international community will not consider us serious.”

Echoing Obasanjo’s nickname, Ooni Ife stressed the importance of patriotism and unity in combating poverty. He noted that meaningful changes would require collective efforts and new commitments to build the nation.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who also spoke at the event, praised Momodu for his contribution to the development of leadership through the newly launched center. He shared insights about the ongoing development projects in Osun state, highlighting education and infrastructure as a priority.

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