12th October, 2023
By Adejoke Adeleye/ Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday affirmed that African leaders must find homegrown solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the continent.
“No problem in Africa is too great for us(leaders) to solve,” Obasanjo said while addressing a delegation of students and youths across the continent at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun state.
The former Nigerian President maintained that it is important for African leaders to consider the peculiarities of their people in designing and implementing workable homegrown solutions to the problems
The delegation, which included students’ leaders from Ethiopia and the Tigray Region was led by the President of All-Africa Students Union (AASU), Osisiogu Osikenyi.
The students were on a “thank you” visit to Obasanjo for facilitating the Permanent cessation of hostilities agreement between the government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria last year.
The former President said the African Union (AU) took a lead in finding homegrown solutions to Africa’s problems with the way it resolved the civil war between Tigray and Ethiopia.
“It is a great lesson for us to know that yes, whatever may be our problem – political, economic, social in Africa, we can solve them if we go about seeking solutions rightly.
“What is very important and which I want you to take very very seriously is that what we were able to achieve in Tigray, the peace that we were able to achieve in Tigray between TPLF and the Federal government of Ethiopia is what you and I will regard as finding African solution to African problem. And this is what our leaders have been clamouring for even from independence in the early 1960s.
“No problem in Africa is too great for us to solve where there may be a problem of peace, the problem of insecurity, the problem of youth unemployment, youths lack of empowerment, youths lack of skills, youth frustration and of course general bad governance”, Obasanjo said.
In his remarks, the President of the Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions Students Union (EHEISU), Oli Bedane Wako said the African students’ leaders paid a thank you visit to Obasanjo over the role he played in the historic signing of the Pretoria peace agreement among the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Tigray Liberation Fronts
According to him, the deadliest war in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has brought immense tragedy, claiming the lives of countless young individuals and leaving behind widespread destruction and trauma.
He, however, noted the move initiated by Obasanjo has saved countless lives and provided a foundation upon which we can rebuild the war-torn region of Tigray.
“Baba, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering commitment to brokering the peace agreement in Ethiopia. Your contributions have brought a new sense of hope to our people, and we stand here today, forever grateful for your remarkable efforts.
“Yet, even as the sounds of gunfire have ceased, the suffering continues in Tigray. The situation is dire. Starvation persists, schools and healthcare facilities stand in ruins, and our education system faces unprecedented challenges. It is with humility that we approach you today, seeking your continued assistance,” he said.