Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has met with some young Nigerian professionals in Washington, DC, United States (US), and come to the conclusion that what Nigeria has lacked “for far too long is leadership that genuinely puts the people first and treats public resources as a sacred trust.”
Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, in an X post, insisted that he came out of the meeting that had in attendance medical doctors and other healthcare professionals, educators, lawyers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders, convinced that the country did not lack intelligent, hardworking and innovative young people or natural resources.
He said that their discussion centered largely on good governance and the urgent reforms Nigeria needs, and that he reminded them that “important as our economic, political, and institutional reforms are, the most important reform Nigeria needs is the reform of leadership itself.”
Full text of the tweet reads:
Yesterday, while in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege of meeting with a group of young Nigerian professionals — medical doctors and other healthcare professionals, educators, lawyers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
It was an engaging and encouraging conversation about Nigeria, the challenges before us, and the kind of country we must work together to build.
Our discussions centered largely on good governance and the urgent reforms Nigeria needs today. I reminded them that, important as our economic, political, and institutional reforms are, the most important reform Nigeria needs is the reform of leadership itself.
No nation can rise above the character, competence, capacity, and commitment of those entrusted with its leadership.
Nigeria is blessed.
We are not lacking in intelligent people. We are not lacking in natural resources. We are not lacking in hardworking and innovative young people. What we have lacked for far too long is leadership that genuinely puts the people first and treats public resources as a sacred trust.
We need leadership that strengthens our institutions, invests seriously in education and healthcare, supports businesses and entrepreneurs, creates jobs and opportunities for our young people, and gives every Nigerian a reason to believe that hard work can still lead to a better life.
Meeting these young Nigerians in Washington once again reminded me of the extraordinary talent our country has produced.
Across the world, Nigerians are making remarkable contributions in medicine, technology, engineering, law, education, business, and many other fields. Our diaspora should never be seen as people who have simply left Nigeria. They remain an important part of Nigeria and must be partners in rebuilding our country.
We must build a Nigeria where our young people do not have to leave their country in order to fulfil their dreams, and where those already abroad can confidently return, invest, contribute and participate in our national development.
That Nigeria is possible.
But it will not happen by accident.
It will require responsible and compassionate leadership, stronger institutions, prudent management of our resources, and, above all, citizens who refuse to give up on Nigeria.
I remain convinced that our greatest resource is not beneath our soil; it is our people.
If we get leadership right, we can get Nigeria right.
We must continue to believe. We must continue to work. And we must continue to demand a country that works for everyone.
A New Nigeria is POssible. – PO
