By Peter Omopo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that ignoring poverty in Africa is akin to sitting on a “gunpowder keg,” urging leaders across the continent to prioritize education, security, and effective governance in the fight against hunger and poverty.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday at the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture titled “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa”, Obasanjo pointed to China’s achievement in lifting over 700 million people out of poverty as a model worth emulating.
“Before we talk about food, security is key,” the former president said, stressing that without peace and safety, efforts to eliminate poverty would be futile.
He identified education as one of the most potent tools in combating poverty. “Where there’s no education, invariably, there will be poverty,” he said. “To get it right, we must ensure no child is uneducated.”
Obasanjo also emphasized the role of visionary and committed leadership in driving meaningful change, calling it “the greatest ingredient for ending poverty.”
He urged African nations to adopt strategic policies and invest in human capital to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
