Competent leadership compulsory if Nigeria is to progress — Obi

A former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has explained that competent leadership and good leadership were pre-requisites for the progress of a diverse nation like Nigeria.

Obi made the comment while answering questions from journalists at the 85th Birthday Symposium of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo held in Abeokuta recently.

He commended the Keynote Speaker, President Paul Kigame of Rwanda; Guest Speaker, Dr Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of World Trade Organisation and Former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obi said that the focus of all the speakers on leadership, nation building and good governance shows how critical the question of leadership has always been.

He added that leadership and good governance have become critical tools which will help in achieving inclusiveness, attaining high level of productivity of all sections of the nation and ensuring gender equality in society.

“As I have always maintained, there are legacies a nation builds on. The greatest legacy a nation can build is investing in education, health and the economy, especially by supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises which, as the engine of the economy, will help to pull people out of poverty and create more jobs in order to make the country productive,” Obi said.

Obi concluded that competent leadership and good governance were imperative for a diverse nation like Nigeria.