Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria is an easy country to govern despite its diversity, provided the nation is led by honest leaders with a sense of purpose.
Obasanjo made the remarks in Sokoto on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Saint Bakhita Information, Communication, and Technologies (ICT) Centre. He stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace knowledge in diversity for the country’s overall development.
Highlighting the importance of ICT, Obasanjo said learning digital skills would empower youths and create jobs. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), he noted, the world was going digital, and Nigerians must adapt to remain relevant.
“If all Nigerians are educated, there will be many good servants in the country, as not everyone can be a leader at the same time,” he said, urging citizens to embrace education as the only key to empowerment and success.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also underscored the value of education, warning that illiteracy knows neither religion nor tribe. He urged parents to give their children proper education and condemned recent reports of genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria, describing those behind the killings as terrorists who have targeted both Christians and Muslims.
Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, commended Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah for complementing the state government’s drive for digital education. He said his administration prioritises digital learning and would support initiatives that improve citizens’ lives.
Bishop Kukah, who conceived the ICT project, said the facility was established in response to the global shift towards digital education and AI. He revealed that the centre is equipped with 250 laptops and 50 tablets for training youths in digital skills, adding that the project was also about rebuilding community cohesion and resilience.
