Economy

Ex-president Obasanjo Calls For Review Of Africa’s Governance Systems

Published

5 months ago

June 27, 2025

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Ex-president Obasanjo Calls For Review Of Africa’s Governance Systems

Ex-president Obasanjo calls for review of Africa’s governance systems. According to him, leaders should be equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the global economy.

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a re-examination of governance systems in Africa to achieve an African Renaissance.

Mr Obasanjo said this while speaking on the topic “African Renaissance in an Era of Turbulence: Are the Lions Still on the Move?” at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja on Thursday.

He emphasised that Africa’s progress depended on the ability of its leaders to work and move together and prioritise the continent’s interests.

Mr Obasanjo noted that the current system of Western liberal democracy, inherited from colonial powers, was not working in the best interests of the continent and needed to be interrogated and reviewed to suit Africa’s interests.

He suggested that Africa’s pre-colonial systems of governance, which emphasised communalism and collective decision-making, could provide valuable lessons for modern governance and stop corruption.

“Our system does not look at the opposition and the government. So it should be a government of everyone working together. We had it before the advent of colonisation.

“Now is the time to say that the government and opposition are not working for us, it is not even working for them either. Our system and democracy have been monetised,” he noted.

Responding to the question of whether the lions were moving, a metaphor for the continent’s most powerful and influential countries, he said they were moving but not at the desired pace.

Mr Obasanjo identified the nations to include Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, and Morocco, which possess significant economic and demographic strengths.

He highlighted Nigeria, Ethiopia, the DRC and South Africa as not being where they were supposed to be economically and politically.

According to him, the lions are not moving as they ought to, and they need to move in the way they are expected to for progress to be made.

Responding to what was needed to get the lions to move, he said leaders should be equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the global economy.
“How much of the world do our leaders understand? What does the world owe us as Africans?

“If we have knowledge, we will get the right policies starting from the community level to the national, sub-regional and continental level, and those policies will relate to the situation of the world we are in.”

Ex-President Obasanjo

He emphasised that Africa’s progress is possible, citing examples of success stories such as Ethiopia’s self-sufficiency in wheat production, which has yielded impressive results, with the country now exporting wheat to neighbouring countries.
Additionally, Afreximbank’s payment system, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), facilitates payment transactions across Africa to beneficiaries in their local currencies.

Another notable success story he highlighted was the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides a platform for economic integration and cooperation, promoting intra-African trade and investment.

“The message is that in areas where we have made progress, like I have said, we should keep at it.

“There are other areas that are working, we should learn from ourselves and we will get the lions to move, and when they move the cubs will follow the lions,” he said.

Related Topics:economy Obasanjo security

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Economy

ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

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ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku

ADC is Nigeria’s only reliable political party, others brought insecurity, hunger, says Atiku. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubukar says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only reliable political party in the country, noting that others have brought insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment.
Speaking in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state, during the official opening of the ADC state secretariat, Abubakar said the party is ready for a 2027 victory but urged Nigerians to unite to rescue the nation.

He also asked Taraba residents to take part in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, adding that their participation is crucial to reversing Nigeria’s worsening hardship.
“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new party office of the ADC, and I want you to hold the party with integrity,” Channels Television quoted Atiku as saying.

“Do not allow anybody to deceive you with any other party, because we have tasted other political parties, and they brought nothing but insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment. “The youths and women should know that we are doing this for them to have a better future, and I am holding on to their promise. “ADC will win Taraba state and win Nigeria as the only reliable political party.”

ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party

Abubakar, who formally joined the ADC on Monday—17 months before the 2027 general election—said his experience across political platforms convinced him that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties lack the capacity to rescue the country.

He resigned from the PDP on July 16, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party as his reason for leaving.

Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

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Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development

Akwa Ibom governor pledges commitment to tourism, blue economy development… commends Editi Effiong for projecting State’s tourism potentials

As part of his effort to encourage tourism and enhance the State’s blue economy, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to encourage and reward young professionals who are willing to collaborate with his administration in promoting the positive image of the State through the ARISE Agenda.

The Governor made this known while fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after embarking on inspection of a locale of a movie, “The Black Book 2” (Old Scores), at Ishiet Beach/Market in Uruan Local Government Area.

He commended the movie Producer and Director, Mr. Editi Effiong, for his talent, vision, inspiration, and creative ability to project the tourism potentials and boost the economy of the State.

Governor Eno charged young Akwa Ibomites to shun divisive tendencies, be inspired, and emulate the creative effort of successful Akwa Ibom sons and daughters by joining hands to develop the tourism and blue economy of the State.

“The impression is amazing, seeing that we have one of our own trying to pull the world down here.

“I would love to thank and encourage him, and to let our young people see that Akwa Ibom has what it takes to drag the world’s attention.

“It depends on what you see. Someone can see this place and write one story about a swamp that has been abandoned and make all the noise. Another person sees this place and makes a great movie out of it that will market this place to the world and is able to attract the attention because of the work he has done here,” he said.

The State Chief Executive pledged his encouragement, support, and collaboration with Editi and other young Akwa Ibomites to enable them rise to the zenith of their calling.

“We are going to work with him. Editi is a young man I have known very well. This is one thing I say to our people in the diaspora, let’s partner. Come back home, whatever you see out there, bring it back here, and let’s work together.

“I think that is the story, and I am really impressed. If you know the number of people that have visited this State in the course of this film, the talents, and the caliber of artists that have been here, then this young man deserves an award and our support,” he added.

Ibom Deep SeaPort

On his part, the movie Producer and Director, Effiong, appreciated Governor Eno for his visionary leadership and passion for tourism development.

He expressed gratitude to the Governor for creating a hospitable and tourism friendly ecosystem to enhance talent exploration through the provision of good road network and quality modern facilities which distinguished the State as one of the most treasured locations in the country.

Crime

EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

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EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation

EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.

Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.

“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”