The Bishop theologian of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Rev. Adedapo Asaju has emphasised the need to raise and grow new breeds of leaders in Africa that will be selfless and mindful of integrity.
Rev. Asaju made this known during a virtual lecture themed, ‘Value for Africa’s Development,’ to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation.
He described it as worrisome that after the eras of democracy in Africa, the continent still grapples with mis leaderships that had continued to set it backwards.
“Isn’t it worrisome that after the era of democracy in Africa, we are still grappling with insurgents of military coups. Should this be happening in Africa at this time, should we be importing food from the Western world at this time, should we be dealing with the problems of unemployment for our teeming youths, should we be importing fuel that we produce? Africa is not yet on course. We have to raise and grow a new breed of leaders in Africa,” he said .
Rev. Asaju also urged the present day leaders to emulate the legacies of the late Obafemi Awolowo, whom he described as a detribalised selfless leader and a uniting factor that Nigeria is yet to produce.
“Chief Awolowo was a principled man. He has set an example of leadership for a new generation of Nigerian politicians. He was a uniting factor that Nigeria is yet to produce,“ he stated.
Other prominent African leaders including the former Nigerian head of state, General Yakubu Gowon and former Ghanian President, John Dramani who also paid their tributes to late Obafemi Awolowo also called on leaders at all levels in Africa to emulate the enduring legacies of Awolowo to enable them sacrifice for the development of their countries.
“The late Chief Awolowo embodied his Life Time for service Nigeria. He was a consistent, committed and captivating leader. We have to reset our values to enable us contribute to the development of our countries,“ he noted.
The virtual 30th Anniversary of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation lecture, which was founded on April 11, 1992, was also used to mark the posthumous birthday of late Obafemi Awolowo.
