Nineteen years after the end of his term in office, former President Obasandjo continues to impress with his career, his efforts to resolve crises and his contribution to building a new Africa. A true catalyst for the continent’s sovereign development, he is regarded as a legend by many figures from the international finance sector, global institutions and African decision-makers who gathered in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings.
At 89, Olusegun Obasanjo is not merely a former head of state; he is a towering figure in African history whose achievements deserve to be shared and recognised. To ensure he is not forgotten, Accra Research is set to publish a series of illustrated works presenting the leaders of yesterday through case studies. These publications are intended to serve as essential textbooks for the leaders of tomorrow.
What the Sankore Institute does for global negotiators as part of its flagship ‘Accra Research’ programme is to focus on training sovereign negotiators, documenting case studies among our leaders, and understanding the circumstances in which they conducted these negotiations, the challenges they faced, the positive and negative aspects, the constraints they encountered, but also the lessons we can draw from them and use as teaching materials for governance schools, not only on the continent but also across the world.Dr Edem Adzogenu, Co-chair of the AfroChampions initiative – Ghana
Former Nigerian President Obasandjo played a key role in establishing numerous pan-African institutions during his two terms in office and long afterwards. But it is above all his political and democratic vision – which he continues to champion today – that has earned him recognition as a leading African figure.
He is, of course, a highly respected leader who tirelessly continues to promote initiatives, projects and organisations likely to contribute to Africa’s progress in general and help Africa catch up with the rest of the world.
Wale Edun, Minister of Finance – Nigeria
He is a living legend and, you know, we are very grateful to be here. And as the African Union-NEPAD Development Agency, we are committed not only to publishing this book, but also to using it as a tool to train young leaders in Africa – and, why not, across the world.
Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Director general of AUDA-NEPAD – Ethiopia
Through his actions, a central theme emerges: ‘soft diplomacy’, known as soft power. Through his international influence, the former president has always advocated dialogue over force. A method that has helped resolve many major crises.
Soft power is, in reality, a sign of leadership. We are talking about the Global Fund, we are talking about AGRA, we are talking about NEPAD, we are talking about South Africa and apartheid… All these issues were negotiated, and they were negotiated in such a way that there was peace, there was security, there was respect on all sides, and the desired outcome was achieved.
Olusegun Obasanjo, Former president of the Republic – Nigeria
Learning from a ‘living legend’ to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Through this book, Olusegun Obasanjo’s journey becomes a source of inspiration for the Africa of tomorrow to be, as he hopes, an integrated, resilient and, above all, peaceful continent
