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At 89, Obasanjo Reflects: “Leadership’s Burden and Blessing Are Often the Same

Published

3 weeks ago

March 4, 2026

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo marked his 89th birthday not with quiet celebration, but with a characteristically frank discourse on the nature of power, using his own dramatic life story—from military commander to imprisoned dissident to democratically elected president—as the central case study.

Delivering a keynote address at an international colloquium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Obasanjo described leadership as a double-edged sword: a profound burden that is also a deep privilege. The event, titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” saw the elder statesman argue that the quality of a nation’s leaders is the primary determinant of its fate.

Obasanjo opened with a stark personal testament, recalling his imprisonment by the late military ruler Sani Abacha. He framed the experience not just as personal suffering, but as evidence of a core principle.

“My imprisonment proves the price of a principled stand,” he told the audience. “Leadership without principle is mere management. True leadership demands that you say no when yes would be more convenient — and that comes at a cost.”

He argued that many who seek power are seduced by its perks, underestimating the immense personal sacrifices required. Drawing on his experience commanding the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War, he painted a vivid picture of leadership’s isolating core.

“There is the loneliness of the final decision,” Obasanjo explained. “When all the briefings have been received and all arguments made, you alone must decide. That weight does not distribute itself.” He recalled the final days of the war in January 1970, when he chose restraint to protect civilians. “No textbook told me what to do. The decision was mine alone,” he stated, underscoring the immense moral weight that leaders must carry.

Despite the hardships—including more than three years in detention—Obasanjo insisted he would choose the same path again. He spoke of the profound fulfilment found in service, describing Nigeria’s first peaceful transition from military to civilian rule in 1979, when he handed over power to Shehu Shagari, as one of the most rewarding moments of his career.

“There is the blessing of having been given the opportunity to matter—to serve at the hinge of history,” he reflected. “It was the relief of having been tested and not found wanting. The greatest burden a man can carry is his country on his shoulders. The greatest blessing he can also receive is that country’s gratitude. At 89, I now understand that the burden and the blessing are often the same.”

Shifting his focus from the personal to the continental, Obasanjo offered a sharp diagnosis of Africa’s struggles, arguing that the root cause is not a lack of resources but a failure of governance.

“Africa is richly endowed—with mineral wealth, vast arable land and the world’s youngest population. By every measure, we should be prosperous and stable,” he noted. “Instead, too much of our continent remains trapped in preventable suffering.”

He placed the blame squarely on poor leadership, weak institutions, and systemic corruption, warning of the fragility inherent in personality-driven governance. “When a country’s trajectory depends solely on the character of one person, that country is permanently fragile,” he cautioned.

Looking forward, Obasanjo called for a fundamental rethinking of the continent’s political and economic models. He urged leaders to adapt democratic systems to local realities without sacrificing the core principles of accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness.

He advocated for a massive investment in leadership development and institutional strengthening, emphasizing that sustainable progress requires systems that outlast any single individual. He also identified the global African diaspora as a critical, underutilized asset and urged governments to create conditions that encourage their engagement and investment.

On the economic front, Obasanjo pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative opportunity that, if fully implemented, could reshape the continent’s global standing.

He concluded with a message of hope and a charge to the next generation, framing leadership as the key to unlocking the continent’s vast potential.

“Africa is not a problem to be managed,” Obasanjo declared. “Africa is a promise to be fulfilled — and leadership is how that promise gets kept.”

Related Topics:Leadership Legacy Nigeria

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Terrorist Logistics Suppliers Apprehended in Borno

Published

10 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

This is contained in a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.

The military said the suspects were intercepted while travelling towards the location to deliver the goods to the terrorists.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to the terrorist group.

“They admitted that they routinely purchase and convey items to the terrorists.

“Their justification was lack of employment, which points to a deeper socio-economic challenge in Maiduguri and its environs,” the army said.

The development, according to the reportt, validates recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic hardship and the sustenance of insurgency logistics networks.

“The arrest highlights the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in remote areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali,” it added.

The army called for a comprehensive approach combining military operations with economic empowerment and job creation to address the root causes of insurgency in the region.

News

Kano Gov’t Offers Study Scholarship to SWAN Members

Published

17 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Kano state government has facilitated and supported members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Kano chapter to proceed to pursue professional certification courses in sports journalism, our correspondent reports .

The Special Adviser , youths and sports to Kano state governor, Sani Musa Danja, disclosed that the offer covers their tuition fees.

He said , the beneficiaries have been identified and their enrolment process have been completed.

According to him, through interactions with stakeholders , the decision was reached for some sports writers, who are faced with the challenge of acquiring the required professional qualification to practice their trade should be given support to fill the gap.

said, findings have revealed that , for Kano sports writers to compete favorably there exists the urgent need to empower members of the association to acquire certain requisite qualification to enable them feature amongst the best in Nigeria and beyond.

Danja speaking, when he hosted SWAN members in his office , located within the premises of Kano state Library Complex, along Ahmadu Bello Way said that the state government, under Abba Kabir Yusuf , on discovering this major challenge , acted swiftly to address the lapses, by offering to sponsor 10 SWAN members to pursue professional diploma in Sports Journalism at El Roi London University.

In his word “ we give thanks to almighty Allah for his mercies, I want to thank our mentor and leader, his excellency governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf , who made this possible.

“his excellency takes the issue of empowering our people very seriously, the challenge facing our sports journalists is principally the issue of professional certification, some of our sports journalists have their degrees in other fields, but we are aware that, they also require to obtain certain minimum qualification in journalism or other related fields to help them to excel .

“in line with the policy of the government of his excellency, we have moved in to make sure , these sons and daughter of Kano overcome this hinderance that may hinder their professional progress.

“the sports media is the back bone of sports development and sports promotion, our government is focused and committed to support and reshape the sports media to achieve the set out goal to empower Kano youths through sports.

“the mission of his excellency through this gesture is to empower our professional sports journalists and give them the required qualification to continue with their pursuit to upward steadily representation of Kano state in that sector.

Danja hinted that, Kano state government remains unrepentant in its upward investment drive to create a generation of professionals that would keep the state afloat on the terrain of quality and abundance human resources.

Reacting, chairman SWAN Kano chapter, comrade Zahradeen Saleh thanked the state government for the support.

He said, the scholarship offer is an major step towards uplifting the practice of sports journalism in the state.

He said the dividends of sports could only accrue with the effective operations of the sporting press through the training and re-training of sports writers.

He admitted that, acquiring the requisite qualification to practice sports journalism has been one of the major challenges confronting members of the association.

“ our members who are the beneficiaries of this offer are youths, on completion of the professional course, they will have stable professional growth and would be better equipped to contribute their quota to the development of the state.” Zahradeen said .

News

Obi Raises Alarm Over Arrest of Cleric Who Hosted Him in Kaduna

Published

2 days ago

March 24, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has condemned the arrest of a Muslim cleric who hosted him over the weekend, describing the incident as a sign of deepening threats to civil liberties in Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Obi said he was notified that Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar was taken into custody by security operatives shortly after their meeting in Kaduna on Sunday.

“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution,” Obi wrote.

The former Anambra governor warned that such actions risk eroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations if left unchecked. He urged authorities to uphold the rule of law and refrain from tactics that intimidate dissent.

“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society. Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact,” he added.

Obi called on those “bent on undermining our already fragile democracy” to desist and adhere to democratic principles in dealing with citizens.

As of Tuesday morning, security agencies had not issued an official statement regarding the cleric’s arrest or the circumstances leading to it. Sheikh Umar, a respected religious figure in Kaduna, has not been publicly charged.