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In his autobiography, Nigeria's Obasanjo recalls how the Holy Spirit came to him while he was jailed as a political prisoner. The Spirit convicted him that he would be elected president to fight corruption. (A U.S. Department of State official points out that Zambia's Chiluba proclaimed a similar dream years ago.)

But Obasanjo has partly backed up his words by becoming a founding supporter of the anticorruption organization Transparency International and appointing a feisty anticorruption czar. Recently, the Nigerian government fired the housing minister and arrested the education minister and police inspector general-all for corruption.

World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz told ct that he saw a harbinger of a new era in South Africa when President Thabo Mbeki approved of the arrest and trial of his closest political associate for corruption.

Small steps for Africa, to be sure, but they may turn into giant leaps for the continent. But unless this dimension of poverty is dealt with, the admirable efforts of a new crop of evangelicals will be for naught.

Tony Carnes is a senior writer for Christianity Today. Additional reporting by Deann Alford in Jos, Nigeria.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

CT's October cover story focused on Rick Warren's PEACE Plan in Rwanda and around the globe:

Purpose Driven in Rwanda | Rick Warren's sweeping plan to defeat poverty.

Inside CT
Hunting the Big Gazelle | Why Rick Warren may succeed where others failed.

CT covered Bono's Heart of America Tour:

Bono's American Prayer | The world's biggest rock star tours the heartland, talking more openly about his faith as he recruits Christians in the fight against AIDS in Africa. (Feb. 21, 2003)

Bono's Thin Ecclesiology | Any person can stand outside the church and critique its obedience to the gospel. A Christianity Today editorial (Feb. 21, 2003)

Previous CT coverage of development in Africa includes:

Jesus at G8 | Christian advocacy for Africa gains notice at top meetings. (July 6, 2005)

End Extreme Poverty in 2005? | No way. But we can still do something significant. (Aug. 22, 2005)

Raising the Compassion Bar | How 575 suburban teens underwrote a medical clinic, schoolhouse, and a year's supply of food for a village in Zambia—with money to spare. (Aug. 10, 2005)

Why We're Losing the War Against HIV/AIDS | Harvard's Edward C. Green says health officials undermine abstinence and fidelity programs in Africa. (March 7, 2005)

Mr. Jabez Goes to Africa | Bruce Wilkinson expands his borders to include racial reconciliation and HIV/AIDS. (Oct. 17, 2003)

Never-Ending Gardens | Bruce Wilkinson and his son teach the hungry to feed themselves. (Oct. 17, 2003)

'I Never Thought I'd See Anything Like that Again' | A famine worse than that of 1984 threatens Ethiopia. (May 16, 2003)

One African Nation Under God | Zambia is missionary David Livingstone's greatest legacy. But this Christian nation isn't always heaven on earth. (February 4, 2002)

Other Christianity Today articles on combating corruption include:

Winking at Corruption No More | Christians help lead a worldwide movement opposing graft. (Nov. 9, 2004)

Churches Back Truth Commission | Panel will examine allegations of murder and corruption under former president. (March 18, 2003)

Zambian President Takes Action After Churches Criticize Him | Mwanawasa surprises observers with his efforts to rout political corruption. (Aug. 08, 2002)

Eight Years after Zambia Became Christian Nation, the Title Is Not Convincing | Immorality and corruption on the rise, say church leaders (Jan. 17, 2000)

Indian Campaign Against Church Corruption | A new commission is looking to establish financial accountability for Christian leaders. (Jan. 8, 2001)

Church Leaders Refocus on Ethics | For the past two years, Nigeria has ranked as the world's most corrupt place to do business, according to an independent survey of global business executives. But recently, thousands of church leaders gathered to take aim at the country's corruption problems and agreed to stop shifting blame to political leaders for society's problems. (March 2, 1998)

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October 2005, Vol. 49, No. 10