Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has urged the federal government to exercise caution in pursuing international collaboration to address Nigeria’s growing insecurity, stressing that any partnership must respect the nation’s sovereignty.

Anyaoku made the call yesterday while chairing the 2026 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture held at Efunyela Hall, Ikenne, the hometown of the late nationalist leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The elder statesman acknowledged that the federal government was justified in seeking support from friendly nations to tackle the country’s persistent security challenges, including kidnapping, killings, and the displacement of farming communities.

He noted that more than a decade after the escalation of insecurity across several parts of the country, the situation remains a major national concern requiring broader cooperation.
According to him, while international assistance may be necessary, such arrangements must be carefully structured to ensure that Nigeria’s independence and territorial integrity are not compromised.
Anyaoku also spoke on the political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the international community would closely monitor the conduct of the polls.

He said countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Nigeria would pay particular attention to whether the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner, stressing that the integrity of the process would shape global perceptions of Nigeria’s democracy.
The memorial lecture, themed “Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory for Action,” formed part of activities organised to celebrate the legacy of the late nationalist and former Premier of the Western Region.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, underscored the importance of the annual lecture in promoting principled leadership, social justice, and a culture of public service.

She also announced the launch of the Obafemi Awolowo Future Leaders Fellowship, an initiative designed to nurture a new generation of ethical and visionary leaders across Africa and the diaspora.
Awolowo-Dosunmu explained that the fellowship would provide mentorship, training, and leadership development opportunities for young people between the ages of 20 and 35.
“The fellowship will be competitive and merit-based, with applications to be invited from young persons across Nigeria and beyond,” she said.

According to her, the programme is inspired by the enduring legacy of Chief Awolowo, whose leadership philosophy emphasised principled governance, social justice, and human development as foundations for national progress.
She noted that while many young people face economic uncertainty and deep social inequalities, they also possess immense talent and innovative ideas that require structured support and mentorship.
“The Obafemi Awolowo Future Leaders Fellowship is designed to bridge that gap by connecting transformational leadership ideals with the realities of governance and public life,” she said.

“Our vision is to build a pan-African network of future leaders shaped by Awolowo’s ideals. Through the fellowship, participants will engage deeply with leadership philosophy, sharpen their personal effectiveness, receive one-on-one mentorship, and collaborate on projects that address real societal challenges.”
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Wale Adebanwi, Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, described Chief Awolowo as “the best president Nigeria never had.”
Adebanwi said Awolowo was an “incurable optimist” about Nigeria’s future who consistently sought practical solutions to the country’s developmental challenges.