FORMER Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, remains an imitable curiosity. His critics would dismiss his comments on the paucity of leaders in Nigeria and Africa. He is right in stating that leadership was a challenge.

He can boast that he has done some things about the challenge. His Africa Leadership Forum has been a great resource facility in mobilising concerns about leadership. Obasanjo more practically tried his hands at fixing Nigeria.

Where many disagree with him is his silence on his leadership in the 11 years he ruled Nigeria, first as a Head of State for three years and eight years in civilian garbs. He claims divine rights to lead.

Nigerians expect him to account for his times as leader. His prescriptions, most recently, using more force in managing security, have fallen below expectations, particularly with judicial rulings that imposed hefty fines against government for militarily devastating Odi and Zaki Biam. Obasanjo adds those infractions to his achievements.

“Whether it is a myth or reality, threat to human security, high economic growth, whether it is flash in the pan or sustainable, it all comes to one major thing and that one major thing is leadership,” he told university students who were debating leadership in Africa.

“I realise that there are not many good leaders in Nigeria. Whatever is the reason, it is something we have to tackle because we cannot continue the way it is. Nobody will help Africa, nobody can help Africa and that is the truth. If we expect others from outside to help us, it is a second class help.” What is Obasanjo’s idea of a good leader? What examples did his leadership provide in furthering good leadership? How does he think Africa would be spared more scourge from its leaders? He maintains the same chosen silence, instead of accounting for his years as president.

Obasanjo was, however, willing to let us into the degree of his shock when he learnt that Dangote Group’s advertisement for 100 truck drivers drew 13,000 applicants, among them six Ph.D holders and 704 others with master’s degrees.  Why was he shocked? Was he unaware of the level of unemployment in Nigeria? How would jobs and wealth be created without basic infrastructure?

His shock may derive from the distance Nigerian leaders keep from other Nigerians. They are ignorant of the disease, hunger, anger, and illiteracy. They are clueless about families groaning under the crushing effects of poverty, without jobs or hope of getting one soon.

The leaders claim to serve us, yet Nigerians wait for crumbs from their tables. Obasanjo is right