Last week, I was privileged with the opportunity to speak on a panel at the West African Elders Forum, in Dakar, Senegal. The event was hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. I with other panelists and past West African presidents spent two days discussing best ways to tackle the problems facing democratic progress in the West African region. I strongly believe that the best ways to solve our problems is to look within by applying our different peculiarities to the solutions we proffer. I have faith in the region and the resilience of our people. It was especially rewarding to see past presidents of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the ECOWAS Commission tell us about the lessons they learned during their leadership tenure. There’s a lot to be done in the region, and I feel blessed that I get to contribute, by amplifying the voice of persons at the grassroots to the conversations.
