End Poverty in Africa, Obasanjo, Adeleke, Ooni Call for Urgent Action
By LEVI JOHNSON
African Leaders Advocate Strategic Solutions to End Poverty InAfrica
To end poverty in Africa, prominent Nigerian leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, spoke with one voice. They made the appeal during a leadership lecture hosted by media mogul Dele Momodu in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, titled “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa”, drew influential voices who emphasized that poverty remains Africa’s greatest challenge and must be addressed through education, leadership, patriotism, and governance reform.
Obasanjo: If China Lifted 700 Million from Poverty, Nigeria Can Too
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo asserted that the black race has the tools to end poverty in Africa but lacks the leadership will. Using China as a case study, Obasanjo questioned why Nigeria—Africa’s most populous country—still battles with abject poverty.
“If China could lift 700 million people out of poverty, Nigeria has no business being associated with poverty,” Obasanjo said.
He insisted that before any food security strategy can work, national security must be prioritized. For Obasanjo, to end poverty in Africa, poverty elimination goes beyond economics—it is closely tied to quality education, integrity, and good leadership.
“Education is one of the tools we can use to banish poverty. Where there’s no education, there will be poverty,” he emphasized.
According to the former president, leadership that promotes communal values and accountability is critical to end poverty in Africa. Without such leadership, he warned, poverty would continue to thrive.
“Leadership is the greatest ingredient for ending poverty. There’s no human endeavour that doesn’t thrive on leadership,” Obasanjo added.
He urged Nigerians to take responsibility and work collectively, warning that failure to address poverty equitably is akin to sitting on a “gunpowder keg.”
Ooni of Ife Urges Patriotism as Key to Economic Independence
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, expressed full support for Obasanjo’s remarks and urged citizens to adopt a patriotic mindset end poverty in Africa. He stressed that overcoming poverty starts with individual choices that favor local content.
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“If we want to break poverty in this country, we have to be patriotic in all ramifications—from the food we eat to the clothes we wear,” he stated.
Although he acknowledged the challenge of initial resistance, he expressed confidence that Nigeria would eventually become a global reference point if its people stood united behind homegrown development efforts.
“We may not get it right at first, but in a short time, we would be the envy of the world,” the monarch declared.
Governor Adeleke Highlights Leadership Gaps and Calls for God-Fearing Governance
Also speaking at the event, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State congratulated Dele Momodu for establishing the leadership centre in Ibadan. Adeleke took a swipe at political elites, saying many public officeholders are disconnected from the people they serve.
“The problem we have is that people don’t have the fear of God,” he said, highlighting the need for humility and service-oriented leadership.
Adeleke also noted that he had invited former President Obasanjo to Osun State to witness firsthand the development strides his administration has achieved to end poverty in Africa
“I am trying to build the Atlanta standard of spaghetti junction,” he added, pointing to his ambitious infrastructure agenda.
Dele Momodu’s Leadership Initiative Praised by Stakeholders
The leadership lecture was organized by Dele Momodu’s Leadership Centre, an initiative designed to promote good governance and leadership values in Africa. Participants at the event praised the platform for fostering vital conversations on poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Momodu, in his closing remarks, emphasized the need for continuity in leadership education. He stressed that without visionary leadership at all levels, Africa will continue to lag behind in development.
Ending Poverty in Africa: A Collective Mission
The leaders unanimously agreed that the journey to end poverty in Africa requires strategic planning, discipline, and inclusive leadership. To end poverty in Africa, they called for investment in education, promotion of local industries, and a cultural reawakening that prioritizes national interest above personal gain.
They also noted that Africa’s global reputation depends on how it tackles its internal socioeconomic challenges. Until the continent addresses hunger and poverty decisively, they warned, it will struggle to gain respect on the international stage.
“Until we banish poverty in Africa, international communities will not recognize us as a serious continent,” Obasanjo concluded.
Conclusion
As poverty continues to cripple economic growth across Africa, voices like Obasanjo, Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife remind us that the battle can be won to end poverty in Africa. With proper education, leadership, patriotism, and vision, Africa has the tools to defeat poverty once and for all.
