Mr. Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, believes it’s time for young Africans to take a stand and demand responsible leadership from those in positions of power.
Speaking at the Ubuntu Africa Youth Assembly Series, which the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) arranged with the topic “Ethical Leadership and Empowering Youth,” Peter Obi said that Africa’s youthful population—roughly 400 million—is the continent’s greatest asset.
The virtual discussion, which took place on Sunday, was a component of the African Renaissance Initiative, which aims to foster intergenerational communication, bolster moral leadership, and motivate young Africans to make significant contributions to national development and government.
Peter Obi cautioned that societies that disregard or detest their youth are destined to fall miserably.
He emphasised the need for Africans to accept mutual support and joint growth, citing the Ubuntu ideal and declaring, “I am because you are.”
One of Africa’s oldest philosophical ideas, according to him, is Ubuntu, which emphasises the ideal of shared humanity and community values.
The former governor of Anambra State voiced alarm over the continent’s economy’ ongoing decline in spite of its wealth of natural and human resources, emphasising that most leaders had not taken the lessons learnt from nations that had attained sustained prosperity.
The former presidential candidate called for African leaders to establish policies that encourage productivity, inclusivity, and good governance among their people and to adopt practical models from other countries.
He cited nations like China and Indonesia that have attained economic growth by emphasising human capital development through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as evidence that governments throughout the continent must consciously invest in health, education, and poverty reduction through entrepreneurship.
Peter Obi said, “nations are measured by the quality of their human capital, selfishness and corruption have continued to kill entrepreneurship and impoverish Africa.
“The Ubuntu philosophy is about building a better humanity where no one is afraid of the success of others.”
Peter Obi further refuted the idea that his honest evaluations amount to demarketing Africa, stating that his opinions are motivated by the belief that the continent can only advance under leadership that is kind, truthful, and character-driven.
According to Peter Obi, “African youths need encouragement and support to pursue their dreams, just as the economies of China, the United States, and Indonesia thrive largely because of their young and productive populations.”
Peter Obi clarified that while Africa is still unable to feed itself because of bad management and leadership, smaller nations like the Netherlands can export food despite having little arable land.
Natural disasters, in his opinion, are not Africa’s biggest problem; rather, it is leadership failure that keeps the region from progressing.
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