- Former President Obasanjo emphasizes that Africa’s poverty is due to poor governance, not God’s act, urging leaders to create wealth and improve youth lives
- He criticizes past economic policies imposed on Africa, calling for decisive action to meet the needs of restless, unhappy, and dissatisfied youth
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that African leaders must urgently address the issues facing the continent’s youth, or risk facing serious consequences. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the FESTAC Africa Festival at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, Kenya, Obasanjo emphasized that widespread poverty across Africa is not an act of God but rather a result of poor governance and mentality.
“Africa has no reason to be poor,” Obasanjo declared, noting that the continent’s abundant resources should be more than sufficient to lift its people out of poverty. “Our poverty is not an act of God. We are steeped in poverty due to our poor mentality. We need to wake up because we have a wealth of resources.”
He highlighted the historical exploitation of Africa, pointing out that when labour was needed to build wealth in the New World, African people were enslaved and transported across the Atlantic. “That hasn’t stopped,” he said. “The slave trade led to colonialism. We enrich others while remaining impoverished. We need to awaken.”
Obasanjo also criticized past economic policies imposed on African nations, such as the Structural Adjustment Programs promoted by the World Bank. He argued that these programs were misguided and detrimental because they were applied to economies that lacked the necessary structures to benefit from such adjustments.
Reflecting on the return of the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), Obasanjo recalled his experience of hosting the festival’s second edition in Nigeria in 1977 during his tenure as military head of state. He expressed deep emotion and appreciation for the festival’s revival. He praised Kisumu County Governor Anyang Nyong’o for hosting the event, which he described as a renaissance and rebirth of FESTAC.
While acknowledging that Africa has achieved political liberation, Obasanjo stressed that economic freedom remains elusive. He urged African leaders to take decisive action to create wealth and improve the lives of their citizens, particularly the youth.
“Our youth are restless, unhappy, bitter, angry, unemployed, and dissatisfied,” he said. “They cannot wait for a long-promised future. They want action now. If we fail to deliver, we will be in trouble. However, we can meet their needs because we have the capability.”
Obasanjo’s message was a call to action for African leaders to harness the continent’s resources and potential to address the urgent needs of the youth, warning that failure to do so could lead to unrest and instability.