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

Published

8 months 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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President Tinubu Departs Jeddah for Abuja After Completing Umrah

Published

4 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Abuja, following the successful completion of his Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah.

Accompanying Mr Tinubu to the airport were the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya.

Before Mr Tinubu’s departure, he had a brief meeting with Mr Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Guest Palace at the airport.

While in Saudi Arabia, Mr Tinubu, alongside members of the Nigerian delegation, performed the Umrah rites, including circumambulating the Holy Ka’aba. On Sunday, Mr Tinubu was granted the rare privilege of entering the sacred structure, where he and members of his delegation performed two raka’at prayers.

Mr Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the special courtesies and hospitality extended to him and the Nigerian delegation, particularly the privilege of accessing the Holy Ka’aba to offer prayers.

Members of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Abuja, following the successful entourage included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe states, among others.

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2027: Atiku Kicks off Campaign in Sokoto

Published

4 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) kicked off its presidential campaign rally for the 2027 presidential election in Sokoto State on Wednesday with crowd welcoming the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The party said thousands of supporters lined the route from Sultan Muhammad III International Airport to its state secretariat, where Atiku’s campaign rally was held.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the former vice president’s motorcade took about three and a half hours to reach the rally venue due to the large turnout.

He said residents, including youths, women and elderly people, abandoned their businesses and other daily activities to join the procession and welcome the ADC candidate.

The campaign council described the turnout as spontaneous, dismissing suggestions that the crowd was mobilised through financial inducements.

It said the reception demonstrated growing support for Atiku’s promise to address the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly the rising costs of food, transportation, fuel and other essential commodities.Nigeria travel guide

The ADC also accused the Sokoto State Government of frustrating its campaign activities by denying the party access to public facilities requested for the rally.

According to the campaign council, the alleged restrictions did not discourage supporters but rather heightened public resentment and strengthened the party’s mobilisation.

“The federal government and its APC allies should understand that denying people a venue cannot suppress their political choices. In Sokoto, those efforts backfired: the people came out in even greater numbers and made their voices heard,” the statement said.

At the rally, Atiku reiterated his commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis and restoring economic stability for households and businesses, according to the campaign council.

The former vice president proposed a targeted, production-based subsidy for qualifying petroleum products refined locally as part of his economic agenda.

The council said the proposed policy would link government support to domestic production, reduce fuel costs and ease the impact of high transportation and energy expenses on food prices and household budgets.

It said the proposal was designed to encourage local production while providing relief to Nigerians struggling with the removal of petroleum subsidy.Nigeria travel guide

The campaign council maintained that the ADC’s economic agenda was centred on making essential goods and services affordable, supporting local industries and addressing the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.

“When you have a message that connects with the people, you do not need to rent a crowd. The people show up on their own,” Mr Shaibu said.

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Abdul El-Sayed Becomes First Muslim Senator in U.S.

Published

4 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, has become the first Muslim senator in the U.S. after securing 2.2 million votes in Michigan, about 52 per cent, to defeat Republican candidate Mike Rogers and Libertarian Lydia Christensen.

Mr El-Sayed, 42, an immigrant born to Egyptian parents, fought a hard-won victory given his candidacy was highly scrutinised over his ties to Islam and open rebuke of Israel.

Results showed Mr El-Sayed led with 52 per cent, the GOP candidate scored 46.1 per cent, and Ms Christensen got one per cent of total votes cast.

Mr El-Sayed’s candidacy struggled after Haley Stevens, a Democratic candidate he defeated in the primary, withdrew her support two days before the midterm polls.

Mrs Stevens endorsed the Republican candidate, saying she could no longer support Mr El-Sayed over what she described as anti-semitism. She asked Mr El-Sayed to condemn an advertisement promoting his candidacy, which blamed U.S. support for Israel for rising cost of goods and the war in Iran.

Mr El-Sayed declined and publicly uninvited her from a joint appearance they were scheduled to have in Detroit. Ms Stevens withdrew her support two nights before the election.

The move stunned Democrats who viewed her actions as a betrayal to the party. But her clout appeared limited with Mr El-Sayed’s victory at the polls.

Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Mr El-Sayed in Michigan, a presidential battleground where President Donald Trump won by 1.4 points to defeat Kamala Harris in November 2024.

Senator Gary Peters, the incumbent Michigan senator, will retire after his term expires in January, when Mr El-Sayed is scheduled to be sworn in.