My imprisonment by Abacha, price for principled positions – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that hisimprisonment by the late military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, could beseen as proof of the cost associated with principled positions. Obasanjo described leadership as both a heavy burden and aprofound blessing. The ex-President stated this in his keynote address at aninternational colloquium titled ‘Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflectionsfrom Global Africa to the World’ held as part of activities to mark his 89thbirthday ceremony in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. Obasanjo, according to a statement by his special assistanton media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, reflected on pivotal moments thatshaped his understanding of power, responsibility and service. Recalling his role as Commander of the Third Marine CommandoDivision during the Nigerian Civil War, Obasanjo said leadership often demandssolitary decisions whose consequences affect millions. He noted that, in the final days of the war in 1970, hechose restraint in order to prevent further civilian casualties — a decision hesaid underscored the moral weight leaders must carry. Obasanjo also described leadership as a rare privilege andan opportunity to serve at defining historical moments, referencing Nigeria’sfirst peaceful transfer of power from military to civilian rule in 1979, whenhe handed over to President Shehu Shagari, as one of the most fulfillingdecisions of his career. On Africa’s development trajectory, Obasanjo argued that thecontinent’s enduring challenges “stem less from geography or history and morefrom governance failures. Africa, remains richly endowed with natural and humanresources but continues to suffer from weak institutions, corruption andself-serving leadership”. He called for deeper investment in leadership formation,institutional strengthening and democratic accountability, stressing thatsustainable progress depends on systems that outlast individuals. The former military head of state also urged Africangovernments to better engage the global African diaspora, describing it as anunderutilised asset capable of accelerating continental renewal. Obasanjo concluded with a message of gratitude and faith,reaffirming his belief in Africa’s long-term promise and urging the nextgeneration to embrace accountable, service-driven leadership. “Africa is not a problem to be managed,” he said. “Africa isa promise to be fulfilled — and leadership is how that promise gets kept.” The 89th birthday ceremony is expected to be rounded up onThursday with a lecture on the topic, ‘The Global African Enlightenment fromChains to Renaissance’, to be delivered by Amb. Jean Robert Pillard, theHaitian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotenciary, to be followed byreception for guests at the OOPL, Abeokuta.

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