Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have issued a compelling call for immediate and decisive measures to eliminate extreme poverty across Africa. Their remarks came during a leadership lecture titled “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa,” organized by veteran journalist and politician Dele Momodu. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have issued a compelling call for immediate and decisive measures to eliminate extreme poverty across Africa. Their remarks came during a leadership lecture titled “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa,” organized by veteran journalist and politician Dele Momodu.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Obasanjo emphasized that security is a fundamental prerequisite before addressing food scarcity. Drawing parallels with China’s remarkable success in lifting 700 million people out of poverty, he asserted that Nigeria has no excuse for failing to tackle its own poverty crisis.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we can deploy to banish poverty,” Obasanjo declared. “Where education is lacking, poverty inevitably thrives. He further stressed that effective leadership is indispensable in the fight against poverty, stating:
“Across all sectors, we need leaders who embody communality—leaders who prioritize collective progress over personal gain. Leadership is the most critical factor in ending poverty. No society has thrived without visionary and selfless leadership.”
To achieve meaningful progress, Obasanjo urged policymakers to ensure universal access to education, asserting:
“No child should be left uneducated. With integrity, discipline, and good governance, Nigeria can eliminate hunger and poverty. If China could lift 700 million people out of destitution, Nigeria has no business with abject poverty. If we fail to act, we are sitting on a gunpowder keg. Until we eradicate poverty, the international community will never take Africa seriously.
Ooni of Ife Calls for Patriotism and Collaboration
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended Obasanjo’s insights and called for national patriotism as a driving force for economic transformation.
“To break the chains of poverty, we must embrace patriotism in every aspect of our lives—from the food we consume to the goods we produce,” the monarch stated. “We may not achieve perfection immediately, but with sustained effort, Nigeria can become a global model of prosperity.
Many in power have become too distant from the people they serve,” Adeleke remarked. “The root of our problem is the lack of fear of God and accountability among leaders.
Highlighting his administration’s developmental strides, the governor revealed:
I have invited President Obasanjo twice to inspect Osun State’s ongoing infrastructure revolution. My vision is to build world-class projects, including a spaghetti junction modeled after Atlanta’s standards, to stimulate economic growth. The consensus among the speakers was clear: ending poverty in Africa requires a combination of education, ethical leadership, patriotism, and infrastructural development. Their collective message serves as both a challenge and a roadmap for policymakers and citizens alike to work toward a more prosperous continent.
