Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a leading voice in the quest for political emancipation and good governance.
Governor Abiodun stated this yesterday at a lecture to mark the 87th birthday of Chief Obasanjo, titled “Quality Leadership and Inclusive Democracy as Catalysts for Development in a Strife-Ridden World” at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Acknowledging Chief Obasanjo for being deeply connected to his roots, Prince Abiodun also praised him for being a respected democratic leader globally.
“Baba has become a world respected democratic leader, a detribalised Nigerian, and a Pan-African whose passion and vision is for Africa that is being led by quality leadership for the desired economic development.
“Baba is deeply connected to his roots. Baba’s passion for his culture and tradition is unparalleled.
“Baba remains the leading voice in his quest for political emancipation, good governance, anti-corruption and social justice”, he said.
The governor commended the former president for being far-sighted, with a knack for nurturing leaders.
In his welcome address, the chairman of the lecture and former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, noted that access to justice, quality of elections, and tribalism were some of the factors working against quality leadership in Africa.
Jonathan said there was the need to look at the issues of winner-takes-it-all in politics, noting that when a president was elected, he wasn’t just the president of his party alone but that of all.
He added that whenever a serving president brought an opposition on board his team, it tended to bring quality and inclusiveness into governance.
In his remarks, the former President of Slovenia and the Chairman of Club De Madrid, Danilo Turk, said the club was currently involved in establishing a body that would look at fighting corruption around the world.
He said the club would not get tired in its quest to ensure that democracy succeeded around the world, adding that it was important that the people were given a choice as democracy should be beyond the elites in any country.
