You’re leaders of today, not tomorrow, Obasanjo to Nigerian youths

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the country’s youth to take bold steps in shaping their futures instead of passively waiting for opportunities to be handed to them.

He pointed to the rampant mismanagement of both human and natural resources as the root causes of the country’s current issues.
Obasanjo further stressed the need for political will in policy formulation and execution, citing military rule as more effective than democratic rule.

The former president made this known at the February Reading and Writing Dialogue organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja Chapter, with the theme “The Writer’s Role in Nation-Building and Africa’s First Presidential Library” held at the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre, Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja.

He stressed the essential role writers play in documenting history, stating that understanding the past is crucial for shaping the present and future.

In addition, he encouraged parents to take an active role in fostering a love for reading in their children, cautioning against solely relying on social media for information, as it does not equate to being a true reader.

He also urged ANA to develop targeted programs that promote reading, reinforcing the idea that while not every leader needs to be a writer, every leader should be an avid reader.

“The writer is the one who documents where you are so that you can plan and move to where you are going. The role of the writer in nation-building is, therefore, a role that has no substitute. The youths of Nigeria should not wait for tomorrow to lead; they should take their future today,” he said.

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The Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja Chapter, Arc. Chukwudi Eze, disclosed that the power of writing is evident in the motivational phrase “Give me liberty or give me death,” which birthed the American Revolution and built the nation into a global colossus.

He lauded former President Obasanjo’s exemplary leadership strides and pointed out that it was a privilege to have been the designer of the presidential library, which sits atop the hill in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Chukwudi pointed out that ANA has so far initiated cash-prize contests like the Poem of the Week and Short Story of the Bi-Week, as well as the Young Writers’ Club and other initiatives where writers are mentored and empowered to publish their creative works.

He said: “It is my pleasure to inform His Excellency that we applied the principles which he taught under his African Leadership Forum meetings to our Association’s leadership. This has resulted in sustained growth on all fronts, reaching 753 persons today and increasing our platform membership from 59 when we were elected. Here, the Abuja Chapter meets every month to celebrate literature, in the form of the spoken word and the written craft. We gather to imagine and illuminate the path for human progress, engaging in critical thought and productive dialogues aimed at making the human experience on earth more fruitful.”

In his opening address, the Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Arc. Chukwudi Eze, emphasized the profound impact of writing, citing the motivational phrase “Give me liberty or give me death,” which played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the subsequent development of the nation into a global power.

He commended former President Obasanjo for his outstanding leadership and expressed his honor in designing the presidential library located on the scenic hilltop of Abeokuta.

Chukwudi reiterated ANA’s ongoing commitment to fostering literary talent through initiatives such as the Poem of the Week, the Bi-Weekly Short Story Contest, and the Young Writers’ Club. These programs are designed to mentor and empower writers, helping them publish their creative works.

He stated, “I am pleased to share with His Excellency that we have applied the principles learned from his African Leadership Forum to our Association’s leadership. This approach has led to significant growth, with our membership expanding to 753 individuals compared to just 59 at the time of our election. Our gatherings aim to inspire imagination and illuminate pathways for human progress, engaging in thoughtful discussions that enhance the human experience.”