Corruption, Insecurity: Bishop Fagbohun Urges FG to Draw Lessons from Obasanjo’s Leadership

The Presiding Bishop of the Old Catholic Apostolic Church, Nigeria (OCAC), Most Rev. Dr. Raphael Oluwaseun Fagbohun, has urged the Federal Government to draw lessons from the leadership style and reforms of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in addressing Nigeria’s challenges of insecurity, corruption and weak institutions.

Bishop Fagbohun made the call while marking his 22nd anniversary of priestly ordination and 11th Episcopal Installation Anniversary as the pioneer bishop of OCAC-Nigeria. He said the country’s current crises require bold leadership, institutional discipline and moral courage similar to what he described as hallmarks of Obasanjo’s era.

Reflecting on Obasanjo’s time as Military Head of State between 1976 and 1979 and as civilian president from 1999 to 2007, the cleric said the period was among the most consequential in Nigeria’s political history, citing decisive reforms and a focus on national interest.

According to him, Obasanjo’s successful negotiation of Nigeria’s foreign debt relief, which reduced the nation’s debt from about $36 billion in 1999 to roughly $3.6 billion by 2007, demonstrated how political will and credibility could free resources for development.

Bishop Fagbohun lamented that Nigeria’s current economic strain, compounded by corruption and insecurity, could be mitigated if public officials embraced fiscal discipline and transparency.

On corruption and security, he recalled the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), describing them as bold institutional safeguards that promoted accountability in public life. He warned that the weakening or politicisation of such institutions had contributed to rising corruption and insecurity.

The bishop also highlighted the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in 2001, which ushered in GSM services, created millions of jobs and expanded economic opportunities, noting that inclusive growth remains key to addressing youth unemployment and violent crime.

He further cited economic reforms such as banking consolidation, the Excess Crude Account and prudent fiscal management, which he said boosted Nigeria’s foreign reserves from about $3.7 billion to over $45 billion by 2007 and helped stabilise the economy.

On insecurity, Bishop Fagbohun recalled police reforms introduced under Obasanjo, including the Chaplaincy system in the Nigeria Police Force, aimed at addressing the moral and psychological wellbeing of officers, describing the initiative as a neglected but critical component of national security.

In terms of democratic governance, he praised Obasanjo for becoming the first Nigerian military ruler to voluntarily hand over power to a civilian government in 1979, a move he said strengthened democratic culture and political stability.

He also cited Obasanjo’s international diplomacy, including conflict resolution efforts in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as his role in strengthening the African Union and NEPAD, as examples of leadership that enhanced Nigeria’s global standing.

The cleric urged present leaders to revisit earlier initiatives such as the Universal Primary Education programme, Operation Feed the Nation and infrastructure development, noting that education, food security and infrastructure remain central to tackling insecurity.

Describing Obasanjo’s legacy as a blend of courage, reform and statesmanship, Bishop Fagbohun said Nigeria’s path out of corruption and insecurity lies in strong institutions, accountable leadership and moral renewal, with faith-based organisations playing a complementary role in nation-building.

“The challenges confronting Nigeria today are not insurmountable,” he said. “What is required is leadership with vision, integrity and the courage to place national interest above personal gain.”

He added that the anniversary celebration provided an opportunity for reflection on leadership, service and the shared responsibility of government, religious institutions and citizens in rebuilding the nation.