Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that sustainable nation-building can only be achieved when economic, social, and political development are pursued alongside strong ethical values and a sense of social responsibility.

Mr Obasanjo stated this on Friday in Abeokuta at the maiden edition of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Training Programme for Secondary School Prefects.

The programme was organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI).

Addressing over 1,000 senior prefects from secondary schools across Ogun state, Mr Obasanjo stressed that societal responsibility is a crucial component of nation-building.

According to him, economic, social and political development go hand in hand with nation‑building.

He noted that societal responsibility remains an ethical and character obligation for individuals and organisations to act in ways that would benefit and enhance the community.

The former president described the prefect system as a practical leadership platform that relieved teachers, promoted harmony and helped students understand power, authority and responsibility.

“A prefect is a senior pupil authorised and vested with authority by school management to enforce discipline among fellow students.

”The role equips them with skills such as teamwork, communication, initiative, problem‑solving and integrity,” Mr Obasanjo said.

He urged the young leaders to be exemplary in character, competent, well‑mannered, truthful, cooperative, and trustworthy.

In his remarks, Ogun State commissioner for education, science and technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, said the programme perfectly aligned with the state’s educational reform agenda.

Mr Arigbabu was represented by the director, Department of Quality Assurance and Teachers Development, Mary Duze.

He explained that leadership is not defined by titles but by service, character and influence, urging the students to return to their schools as ambassadors of discipline, unity and excellence.

Earlier, a member of the OOLI governing board, Peter Okebukola, explained that the institute was established by Mr Obasanjo as a training ground for aspiring leaders at all levels.

“The plan is to progressively cover the whole of Nigeria. We will track their progress and follow up on how the training influences their development as leaders,” Mr Okebukola said.

One of the participants, Jedidiah Odediran, the senior prefect, Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, expressed appreciation to the organisers of the leadership programme.

”We have learnt a lot from the former president that we should be very good leaders, consider others first and be very good example,” he said.

(NAN)