BSN set to host African leaders...Obasanjo, Gowon, others to grace occasion

By Toyin Adeniyi

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) is set to host a landmark event, the African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) in October, with a vision to transform Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

This prestigious forum, which originated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2010 during a special African Union Prayer Breakfast, has been held in various African countries over the years.

Now, it makes its way to Nigeria for the first time, for it’s 11th edition, scheduled to take place from Monday, October 21, to Thursday, October 24, at the Nigerian Airforce Conference Center in Abuja.

Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, September 6, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, General Secretary/ CEO of the Bible Society of Nigeria, highlighted the forum’s main objective, which is to stir the conscience of African leaders and encourage them to embrace leadership marked by integrity, accountability, and a deep reverence for God.

Themed “Value-Based Leadership: Model for Africa,” the conference aims to raise a generation of principled leaders with honour, integrity, capacity and competence.

The conference also includes a special session for the youths titled “Arise and Shine: Raising a New Generation of Transformational Leaders” which will focus on empowering young Africans with the values needed to drive change across the continent.

Sanusi emphasized the timeliness of the forum, noting that the program is designed to tackle the pressing issues plaguing Nigeria and Africa, including systemic corruption, poor leadership, and international or traditional conspiracies. He underscored the need for solutions grounded in strong moral principles, arguing that no nation can thrive without leaders who are accountable to both their people and to God. “I call on

The forum will feature an impressive lineup of high-profile guests and speakers.

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, will serve as Chairman of the conference with Nigeria’s first lady Mrs Oluremi Tinubu as special guest.

Former head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon , former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike are expected to grace the occasion..

Delegates from around the world, including General Secretaries and CEOs of African Bible Societies, are expected to participate, ensuring a broad representation of thought leaders from various walks of life.

Notable keynote speakers include Hon. Justice Mogoeng, former Chief Justice of South Africa, and Dr. Zienzi Dillon, Founder and CEO of Carmel Global Capital, New York.

The forum will also feature a series of plenary sessions, each addressing critical values necessary for leadership transformation. These include the Value of Social Harmony, the Value of Justice, the Value of Integrity, and the Value of Wisdom.

Distinguished plenary speakers include Mrs. Juliet Binitie, Director of Programmes at the Institute for National Transformation in Lagos, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, a renowned constitutional lawyer, Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi, a respected social reformer and Christian philosopher, and Hon. Justice Catherine Bamugemereire of the Supreme Court of Uganda.

The youth session will be led by Pastor Poju Oyemade, Founder and Senior Pastor of The Covenant Nation, alongside Dr. Mangalwadi.

Sanusj disclosed at the press briefing that speakers were carefully selected by a national working committee led by Professor Jerry Gana.

He said they were chosen for their deep insight on the topics and their personal experiences in embodying the values the conference seeks to promote.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic and political challenges, the ABLI forum is seen as a timely intervention, offering a pathway to address the root causes of these issues.

The programme’s goal according to Sanusi is to propel a movement toward leadership that is both morally sound and deeply effective in its governance.

“I call on African leaders to shun greed, corruption and rise to make deliberate efforts to develop the continent because no one will do it for us, but us” said Sanusi.

He then made a call for action, urging Nigerian leaders to reject greed and corruption and to take deliberate steps toward developing the economy of the country.

“I call on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to write his name on gold and right the wrong done to Nigerians all these years”.

With its bold vision and powerful line-up of influential speakers, ABLI promises to be a pivotal moment in the quest for leadership transformation across Africa.