UN Deputy Chief Hails Obasanjo Leadership Institute

RAYMOND OKOBIA

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Amina Mohammed has described the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) as a unique platform for leadership reflection and continuity.

Mohammed made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Prof. Samuel Daramola, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the institute.

This is contained in a statement by Prof. Elvis Otobo, Media Consultant of the institute, issued to newsmen in Lagos.

According to the statement, Mohammed said the OOLI is a place where leadership can be discussed, remembered and sustained for future generations.

“Leadership for us to stand on the shoulders of those who have been there is important.

“For us, this institute is a demonstration of a legacy of a life that is not yet done, still leading and this is really important,” it quoted Mohammed.

The statement further quoted her as saying that the leadership of the institute, under Prof. Daramola, played a central role in driving OOLI’s programmes.

“It also plays critical role in stakeholder engagement and continental leadership initiatives, working alongside former African presidents, diplomats and global scholars, to advance the institute ‘s mission,” it said.

The statement said Mohammed also held a strategic meeting with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo is also the Founder and Chairman of the institute’s board of trustees.

It said the meeting focused on shared priorities around peace building, sustainable development, youth leadership and strengthening governance institutions across Africa.

According to the statement, the meeting reaffirms the alignment between the OOLI’s vision and the UN’s broader agenda for inclusive and accountable leadership.

It added that the meeting also reaffirmed the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responding, the statement quoted Obasanjo as reiterating OOLI’s commitment to serve as a continental hub for leadership excellence.

“Our goal at OOLI is to ensure that leadership in Africa is not left to chance.

“We are building a space where experience, scholarship and practice meet, so that future leaders do not start from zero, but from a foundation of tested wisdom and global engagement,” it quoted Obasanjo.

Speaking on behalf of the Director of the institute, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, Prof. Daramola described the visit as a significant milestone in OOLI’s international partnerships.

“Having the UN deputy secretary-general at the OOLI is both an honour and a validation of our work.

“Her reflections on legacy, continuity and standing on the shoulders of proven leaders, speak directly to why OOLI exists.

“We are committed to translating these values into concrete programmes that impact communities, institutions and future leaders across Africa and beyond,” it quoted Agwai.

The statement said Agwai noted that the visit further positioned OOLI as a strategic partner in global conversations on governance, development and leadership transformation.

“It also opens new avenues for collaboration with multilateral institutions, universities and civil society organisations worldwide,” the institute’s director said.

It said Agwai noted that the visit underscored OOLI’s growing global relevance in leadership development and governance discourse across Africa and the wider world.

According to the statement, Agwai further stated that the remarks of the UN official highlighted OOLI as a living archive of African leadership experience.

It quoted Agwai as saying that the institute was also a forward-looking engine for nurturing the next generation of ethical and visionary leaders.