Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, says it is time for African youths to rise and demand good leadership from those in authority.

Speaking at the Ubuntu Africa Youth Assembly Series organised by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) under the theme “Ethical Leadership and Empowering Youth”, Obi described Africa’s youthful population, estimated at about 400 million, as the greatest asset in the continent.

The virtual forum, held on Sunday, was part of the African Renaissance Initiative designed to promote intergenerational dialogue, strengthen ethical leadership, and inspire young Africans to contribute meaningfully to governance and nation-building.

Obi warned that any society that neglects or despises its young people is doomed to woefully fail.

Citing the Ubuntu philosophy, he stressed the need for Africans to embrace collective growth and mutual support, saying, “I am because you are”.

He said Ubuntu is one of Africa’s oldest philosophical thoughts that highlights the importance of community values and shared humanity.

The former Anambra State Governor expressed concern at the continued decline of African economies despite abundant natural and human resources, stressing that most leaders had failed to learn from countries that had achieved sustainable growth.

The ex-presidential candidate urged African leaders to adopt workable models from other nations and implement policies that promote productivity, inclusivity, and good governance among its populace.

According to him, governments across the continent must deliberately invest in health, education, and poverty reduction through entrepreneurship, citing countries like China and Indonesia that have achieved economic growth by prioritising human capital development through small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Obi said, “nations are measured by the quality of their human capital, selfishness and corruption have continued to kill entrepreneurship and impoverish Africa.

“The Ubuntu philosophy is about building a better humanity where no one is afraid of the success of others.”

He rejected the notion that his candid assessments amount to demarketing Africa, insisting that his views are driven by the conviction that only compassionate, honest, and character-driven leadership can move the continent forward.

According to him, “African youths need encouragement and support to pursue their dreams, just as the economies of China, the United States, and Indonesia thrive largely because of their young and productive populations.”

Obi explained that smaller countries like the Netherlands can export food despite having limited arable land, whereas Africa remains unable to feed itself due to poor leadership and mismanagement.

He believed that Africa’s greatest challenge is not natural disaster but leadership failure that continues to impede the continent’s growth and development.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, Director of African Peace Initiative and Engagement at the Global Peace Foundation and anchor of the session, reaffirmed the relevance of the Ubuntu philosophy to Africa’s moral and social transformation.