Nigeria needs academically and spiritually sound leader’s ―Obasanjo

NIGERIA’S president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared that the country needs leaders that are academically and spiritually sound leaders for it to move forward.

Just as he advised the nation’s youths to do contest for leadership positions for them to upstage the older politicians.

He said this on Saturday at the Youth Governance Dialogue organised to mark International Youth Day, 2017, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Obasanjo urged the youths to be hardworking and carved a niche for themselves in their different callings, while lamenting that moral values had been lost among the youths compared to what it obtained in the 50s and 60s.

He insisted that moral values were required for leadership position.

Obasanjo said, “Nigeria is in need of leaders who are academically and spiritually sound. You need to get prepared to occupy elective offices as there were moves to lower the age into elective positions such as that of the president, governor, and National Assembly.

“I joined politics from the top. The only position I contested for in Nigeria is the Presidency, but I had track record of achievements which led to that.

“Nobody will choose you, you have to choose yourself. Why should you have to become president at the age of 40? Why can’t you become president at the age of 35? Why can’t you become president at the age of 30?

“General Gowon became Head of State at 33. I became Head of State at 39. And it is because of my track record, and thanks to Abacha (late Gen Sani Abacha) for putting me in jail.

“Those were the reasons why I have opportunity to come back as elected President of Nigeria.

“The point is this -how are you prepared? Are really prepared?”

He equally sought for unity among Nigerians instead of pursuing issues that would divide the country, calling on the Nigerian youth to remain united, and contribute to the development of their fatherland.