Renowned Nigerian cleric, Dr Chris Okafor, has expressed strong admiration for Burkina Faso’s president, Ibrahim Traore, stating that Africa stands a better chance of achieving sustainable cultural and socio-economic transformation if more leaders with Traore’s vision and courage are nurtured across the continent.
Traore who seized power in a military coup that swept through the country formerly known as Upper Volta in September 2022 has since won over many admirers within and outside his country with his pragmatic, welfarist, and revolutionary approach to leadership.
His short tenure in government, despite earned through the barrel of the gun, has witnessed a dramatic change in the fortunes of a country once ranked amongst the poorest in the world, with a hands-on, result-oriented governance style that has re-ignited hope and belief in the minds of Burkinabes.
The impact of his policies which has centred on breaking his country free from it’s colonial past is not only serving as the much needed catalyst to spark off the country’s journey into self reliance and economic prosperity, it is fast becoming a model other countries seek to emulate.
Traore’s impressive strides in government also inspires no less a personage than Dr Chris Okafor who, himself, is a welfarist and an advocate of progressive, people-oriented leadership.
Speaking while expounding on his message titled, “The Powers and Struggles Of Fathers,” to mark the ‘Fathers’ Day’ celebrations last Sunday at the Grace Nation Church International, Lagos, the preacher said he saw Traore’s emergence in Burkina Faso as a blessing, as well as the much needed catalyst that will revolutionise the concept of leadership in Africa.
“Africa has suffered so much deprivation and has underachieved for so long despite it’s embarrassing wealth in human and natural resources. Years of corruption, political instability and poor leadership have all combined to rob the continent of the opportunity to take her rightful place amongst the world’s elite continents with the wherewithal to dictate global affairs,” Okafor said.
“That is why it is heartwarming to see someone like Ibrahim Traore — a 37-year old and the world’s second youngest president — point the way to a new Africa that we all should be proud of.
“Since taking over the leadership of his country, he has demonstrated a commitment to change the old narrative of poor governance through service that directly impacts the lives of those he rules over. He has stabilised the country by making sure it is protected against jihadist insurgency, built the country’s gold refining capacity and increased the job acquisition ratio of the unemployed, thereby helping to boost the economy.
“His actions in government clearly shows vision, courage and capacity — attributes which appear to be scarce commodities amongst African leaders in recent memory. I am, therefore, convinced that the continent can make faster progress in terms of effectively harnessing it’s huge potentials if young, vibrant leaders like Traore can be encouraged, nurtured and supported to reach the highest office in their various countries, not necessarily through coup d’etats, but through a structured, transparent democratic process,” he added.
