society
Multilateralism’s Moment: The Johannesburg Declaration and the Case That Cooperation Can (and Must) Deliver
Multilateralism’s Moment: The Johannesburg Declaration and the Case That Cooperation Can (and Must) Deliver.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“The adoption of the G20 Leaders Declaration in Johannesburg is more than ceremony; it is a practical rebuke to cynicism; a binding message that well-crafted, inclusive multilateralism remains humanity’s best instrument for solving shared crises.”
When leaders gathered in Johannesburg on 22–23 November 2025 for the first G20 summit ever held on African soil, something very plain and very consequential happened: they adopted a Leaders Declaration that speaks to the core question of our time; can the world still govern itself cooperatively when so many forces push it toward fragmentation? The short answer, emphatically, is YES. The Johannesburg declaration sends a clear signal that multilateralism can and must deliver, and that signal matters because the alternatives (unilateralism, great-power rivalry, and competitive isolation) are already proving ruinous for ordinary people everywhere.
Why does a declaration matter? Because multilateralism is not a SLOGAN; it is a set of instruments (institutions, financial arrangements, commitments and follow-through) that, when working, translate global consensus into local gains. The Johannesburg text does not pretend to solve every problem in a single paragraph. It does, however, marshal consensus on immediate, measurable priorities: accelerating renewable energy and a just energy transition, catalysing finance for developing economies, strengthening disaster resilience and post-disaster reconstruction, and re-energising efforts to tackle inequality and food insecurity. Those are not abstract goals; they are policy blueprints that require joint financing, coordinated regulation and institutional reform; the very machinery that only multilateral cooperation can provide at scale.
The politics around the summit illustrate the stakes. Washington’s absence (a high-profile boycott of the leaders sessions) made headlines and revealed the limits and frictions of global diplomacy. But the fact that a broadly representative group of G20 members nonetheless adopted a joint declaration underscores the resilience of collective action even when one major power steps back. The adoption by consensus; and the willingness of participants to anchor the declaration to concrete financing and reform proposals — demonstrates that multilateral outcomes can be both pragmatic and principled. It is the practical capacity to deliver that gives multilateralism its moral force.
South Africa’s Presidency framed the summit with a theme that was more than rhetorical: “SOLIDARITY, EQUALITY and SUSTAINABILITY.” In his opening address, President Cyril Ramaphosa put it bluntly: “The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.” That line matters not as flattery but as a public affirmation; a promise that the commitments on the page will be turned into funding, institutional changes and measurable outcomes for countries that have too often been left on the margins.
Nor is this moment detached from long-standing calls for reform. The United Nations recent “PACT FOR THE FUTURE” and the Summit of the Future discussions have argued for a multilateral system that is “FIT FOR THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE” more representative, more democratic and more capable of rapid collective action. António Guterres has repeatedly warned that “we are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink,” a refrain echoed across policy platforms and echoed in Johannesburg by leaders and experts who see reform and delivery as two sides of the same coin. If institutions are to be strengthened, they must also show deliverables; climate finance disbursed, debt vulnerabilities addressed, supply chains stabilized, and social protections scaled.
Economic justice is central to credibility. The Johannesburg Declaration does more than nod to inequality; it foregrounds the necessity of mobilising trillions in finance (concessional lending, catalytic private finance and innovative instruments) to help developing countries invest in both DECARBONISATION and INDUSTRIALISATION. The G20’s own advisory workstreams, including an Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality chaired by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, have produced evidence that inequality corrodes growth and that coordinated global policy can make redistribution and sustainable growth mutually reinforcing. Multilateralism’s delivery, in practice, will be measured by whether these financial pledges translate into affordable capital for infrastructure, energy access for isolated communities, and fiscal space for social investment.
Sceptics will say declarations are cheap; what matters is implementation. They are right to demand results. That is why the Johannesburg outcome matters: it links declaratory politics to institutional mechanisms and to an agenda for reform of the international financial architecture. The leaders did not simply declare a wish; they pointed toward the Sevilla Commitment and a set of G20 workstreams intended to create pipelines of bankable projects, reform multilateral development bank practices, and coordinate post-disaster reconstruction financing. In short, the declaration is a roadmap (heavy on specifics) for turning CONSENSUS into CAPITAL and CAPITAL into CAPACITY.
Although delivery will require more than good intentions. It will require political will at home and patience abroad. It will require democratic legitimacy for multilateral institutions (which means involving civil society, parliaments and subnational governments in oversight) and it will require INNOVATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY: CLEAR MILESTONES, TRANSPARENT MONITORING and INDEPENDENT EVALUATION. As IMF analysts and leading economists have argued, the multilateral system needs to become “INCENTIVE COMPATIBLE” so that every participant sees visible, near-term benefits alongside longer-term structural gains. That blend of incentives and oversight is how the system will survive the fractures of our multipolar age.
The Johannesburg declaration is also political theatre with policy teeth. It shows that when countries are willing to compromise and to prioritise collective gain over zero-sum signalling, they can put in place a common platform to tackle shared threats: climate shocks, food insecurity, pandemics, technology risks and violent conflict. These are not problems a single state can solve alone. They require interoperable rules, pooled financing, and coordinated action. The Johannesburg leaders’ document is an admission that the old adage remains true: sovereignty is protected, not weakened, when nations cooperate to reduce risks that respect no borders.
So what should we expect next? First, rigorous follow-up: project pipelines must be created, funded and monitored. Second, reform: the G20 and other institutions must accelerate the hard work of reforming governance structures (including representation and voice) so that developing countries have meaningful agency in decisions that affect their futures. Third, accountability: civil society, academia and parliamentary institutions must be empowered to hold leaders to the commitments they signed in Johannesburg. And finally, results: more renewable capacity deployed in Africa, debt relief and restructuring where necessary, and tangible reductions in vulnerability for the poorest communities.
If Johannesburg teaches us anything, it is that multilateralism’s moral claim rests on its practical performance. As Joseph Stiglitz and other leading scholars emphasize, multilateral action is both economically sensible and politically necessary; without it, inequity and instability will deepen. António Guterres’ plea to “bring multilateralism back from the brink” is not a rhetorical flourish; it is an agenda that demands both reform and delivery. The Johannesburg Declaration is a constructive step along that path. Now the real test begins: turning WORDS into WORK, and COMMITMENTS into CHANGE.
History will judge Johannesburg not simply by the eloquence of its statements but by whether the summit’s promises are lived out in schools with power, hospitals with supplies, farms with drought resilience, and economies with inclusive jobs. That is the only defensible yardstick for multilateralism: performance that improves lives. The declaration says it can be done. The world must now prove it — quickly, transparently and with fierce resolve. The future of cooperative global governance depends on nothing less.
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
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