Father’s Day: A Time for Reflection
Today is Father’s Day. After attending church service and in my routine reflection, I find myself once again asking a difficult question: Are we cursed, or are we the cause?
I grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful. In my primary, secondary school and university days, students related freely without divisions of religion, ethnicity, or region. We simply saw ourselves as Nigerians.
After university, I entered business in an environment where partnerships were built on trust and competence, not tribe or religion. I also lived in Nigeria, where the naira commanded respect, and Nigerians enjoyed dignity abroad, with easier global mobility and much respect for our passports.
I lived in Nigeria, where I travelled across the country—from Onitsha to Lagos, Maiduguri, and Calabar—without fear. Roads connected people, and life was more secure. Nigeria’s Armed Forces and the Police were also widely respected for their role in global peacekeeping and international stability.
Beyond security and unity, there was also a stronger sense of public trust in institutions, with greater confidence in elections, a clearer culture of accountability in governance, more stable universities that served as centres of intellectual excellence and national pride, a more functional and accessible healthcare system, and relatively better-performing basic infrastructure such as electricity, roads, and public utilities, which—though imperfect—were far less chaotic than what we experience today.
Today, as a father reflecting on Nigeria, I am pained that much of this has changed. Insecurity has grown, national unity has weakened, and many citizens no longer feel safe. Opportunities have also diminished for the younger generation compared to what we once had.
It is also worrisome that Nigeria’s influence in global affairs appears reduced, as seen in recent international gatherings such as the just-concluded G7 meeting, where African countries like Egypt and Kenya were invited, while Nigeria was absent. Whether symbolic or not, it reflects a decline in standing we cannot ignore.
As fathers, we must not only lament. We must not bequeath this reality to our children. We owe them a better Nigeria built on security, opportunity, fairness, and national pride.
A key part of achieving this is active civic participation. We must obtain our Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), vote responsibly, and remain committed to protecting the integrity of our votes. Change will not come from complaints alone but from citizens who choose and defend accountable leadership.
With responsibility, unity, and determination, we can together build the new Nigeria that is POssible. -PO
Supporting Education with a visit to Shanahan University
I remain firmly convinced that no nation truly develops without investing deeply in human capital. The more a society invests in education, the more sustainable its development becomes. Education remains the most critical driver of progress; the more educated a state is, the more its prospects to develop become.
Guided by this conviction, I visited Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State, again yesterday, an institution I have supported on several occasions. During the visit, I continued my support with an additional donation of 25 million Naira.
I wish to sincerely commend the management, lecturers, and staff of the university for their dedication and the excellent work they are doing in nurturing a new generation of morally upright, academically sound, and socially responsible leaders. I am particularly encouraged by the vision and commitment of the institution to building a better society through quality education.
I also urge the students to remain focused on their studies and to keep hope alive. The future belongs to them, and with discipline, hard work, and strong values, they can play a vital role in building the New Nigeria we all desire.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Here's what played out…
Ex-President Obasanjo wanted to stand up for Peter Obi, as he arrived at the Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe’s event. Obi refused.
Obasanjo, in his usual jovial manner, insisted. But Obi wouldn't let him. Obi proceeded to greet him on bent knees.✍️
In Support of Healthcare Delivery and Human Dignity
Today, I visited the Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital, Enugu State, which was recently affected by a devastating fire incident. During the visit, I inspected the damaged sections of the hospital, including the children’s ward, and made a donation of ₦10 million to support the ongoing renovation efforts.
I commend the Reverend Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the hospital management for their commitment to healthcare delivery and service to humanity. Their sacrifice and dedication, often carried out with little recognition, remain invaluable to our society.
Healthcare and education are among the most critical needs of any nation. No meaningful development can occur where these sectors are neglected. It is, therefore, imperative that we continue to support institutions and individuals working tirelessly to provide quality healthcare and educational services to our people.
I encourage the management not to relent in their noble mission despite the challenges they face. As a society, we must collectively invest in and strengthen facilities for healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Accountable Borrowing: The South Africa Example.
I have consistently maintained that borrowing, in itself, is not a bad thing. Every nation borrows. The critical issue is not the act of borrowing, but what the borrowed funds are used for and whether citizens can clearly see and measure the impact of such borrowing in their daily lives.
There is a lot to learn in the open and transparent manner in which South Africa handled its recently secured a $1 billion loan from the New Development Bank, with a clearly defined purpose. Publicly announcing the targeted purpose of the loan for all to know and monitor, upgrading water supply systems, modernising sanitation infrastructure, improving electricity distribution, and strengthening waste management services across eight major metropolitan cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
This is indeed what accountable borrowing should look like; the purpose is clear, the projects are identifiable, and the expected benefits to citizens are measurable. Such investments directly improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and stimulate economic growth.
In Nigeria, however, the opposite is the case: public debt has risen dramatically under the current administration, and its deployment is shrouded in secrecy from the people who will indeed pay back the loan. Today, our total public debt has increased from about ₦87 trillion in 2023 to nearly ₦200 trillion.
Yet, despite this unprecedented accumulation of debt, Nigerians are often left without a clear and detailed account of how these borrowings are being deployed to improve critical sectors such as education, healthcare, power, security, and infrastructure.
Borrowing must never become an end in itself. Every loan obtained in the name of the Nigerian people must be tied to specific, productive investments capable of generating economic value, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving the welfare of citizens.
Good governance demands transparency and accountability. The government must be able to clearly explain what was borrowed, where it was invested, and what measurable outcomes have been achieved. The ordinary Nigerian should be able to see and feel the benefits of every debt incurred on their behalf.
At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with rising costs of living, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power, fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources are no longer optional; they are imperative.
Every borrowing decision should answer one simple question: How does this improve the life of the ordinary Nigerian? If that question cannot be convincingly answered, then we risk merely transferring today's burdens to future generations.
A New Nigeria is POssible. - PO
BRICS bank approves $1 billion lifeline for South Africa’s struggling cities | Business Insider Africa https://t.co/VN0C0Xo8zp
Returning from Katsina tonight, I was overwhelmed by the joyful and energetic reception from the good people of Bichi, Kano State.
Thank you for the tremendous love. - RMK
Coping with the systematic collapse of our institutions.
When the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, unfolded, I expressed a concern to a friend: that the greatest damage might not be immediate, but the message it sends about the sanctity and independence of our institutions to the world.
Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.
Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them. Businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own. That should concern every patriot.
We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals. "The federal High Court Judgement ordering the de-registration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man's trust in our legal systems" it should be reversed.
I pledge that we will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the Judiciary. The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all.
To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country!
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Sustainable Success Is Built on Competence, Integrity, Discipline and hardworking.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of interacting with young entrepreneurs, professionals, business leaders, and members of the emerging generation at the This Generation Conference hosted by Summit Bible Church in Abuja.
Our discussion focused on what it takes to thrive in the marketplace despite prevailing economic challenges. I shared insights from my years in business and public service, emphasizing that sustainable success is built on integrity, competence, discipline, and a commitment to creating value for society.
I reminded participants that no nation develops by consumption alone. Nations progress when their citizens are productive, innovative, and committed to excellence. Our young people must resist the temptation of shortcuts and instead embrace education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership.
The future of Nigeria depends largely on the quality of leadership and enterprise this generation is willing to build. We must move from a culture of sharing poverty to one of creating prosperity through production, innovation, and responsible governance.
I left encouraged by the energy, intelligence, and determination of the young people I met. Their questions, ideas, and aspirations reaffirmed my belief that Nigeria’s greatest resource remains her people.
Together, through hard work, integrity, and purposeful leadership, we can build the New Nigeria that is POssible. -PO