Next generations of Africans to pay incurred debts, says Obasanjo

A former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said there is no option for the next generations of Africans to enjoy any relief than to pay the continent’s huge debts.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo made this disclosure during an engagement with 2023 awardees of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, an initiative of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Obasanjo as the country’s President in 2003 secured debt relief for Nigeria likewise his counterpart from Algeria during the same period.

He noted that with the level of mismanagement of the previous debts written off for the country, it would be almost impossible for any administration to get a similar gesture in the continent.

Obasanjo declared that the debts were a trap that no individual or nation should fall into “as it constitutes an albatross on any economy.”

The former president who asserted that leadership was the number one problem facing the continent summed it up: “the coming generations will have no choice but pay the current debt being incurred by different countries in the continent.”

He commended Pastor Oyakhilome for the efforts he put into building leaders adding that the nation “needs more people like him to address the leadership crisis facing the continent.”

While highlighting the qualities of a leader, Obasanjo said, “a leader should be able to set good examples, being bold and courageous when making decisions, accepting mistakes and learning from them as well as having a realistic dream,” Obasanjo stated.

In a related development, the Obasanjo has assured that the country’s socio-economic situation could be better in another four years or thereabout with prayers and thanksgiving.

He made this disclosure at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogun State 5th Thanksgiving service of his conferment as the Asiwaju Onigbagbo, Ogun State, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta on Tuesday.

In a release by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President said that it was a clear indication that the socio-economic situations of the country are not in good stead, “but, mercy has been with us and if that is so, why should we not thank God.

“Think about it. If you have breathe the free air of God, you should have cause to thank God. So, things are bad, they may be good in a space of what…Four years? and who knows for Nigeria, things that are bad today, may be good tomorrow.”

The governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the deputy, Engr, Noimot Salako, former governor, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, the Oluwu of Owu Abeokuta, Prof. Saka Matemilola and the Odole Oduaa, business Mogul who is also the Otun of Asiwaju Onigbagbo Ogun State, Chief Adebutu Kessington and Rev. Mother Ester Ajayi eulogized Obasanjo, noting that he is not only a leader in Nigeria, but, also a global phenomenal.