Joe

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

Jesus Christ is the Lord.

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Reflections on My 65th Birthday

Today, July 19, 2026, marks my 65th birthday. At sixty-five, birthdays should naturally become moments of deep reflection - moments to look back with gratitude to Almighty God for His abundant graces, examine the journey so far, and ask how the remaining years can be devoted more meaningfully to the service of God and humanity.

Perhaps in countries where basic human needs have largely been met, where institutions function effectively, and where citizens enjoy a greater measure of security and dignity, such attainments may rightly call for elaborate celebrations. In Nigeria, however, our reality compels a different kind of reflection.

Our nation is blessed with enormous human and natural resources, yet millions of our people continue to struggle with challenges that demand our collective attention. We cannot afford to celebrate ourselves excessively while many around us are burdened by poverty, ill health, unemployment, and limited opportunities. Rather, occasions such as this should remind us of our responsibility to contribute towards building a nation where future generations can genuinely celebrate.

This is why I have always seen birthdays not merely as occasions for personal celebration, but as opportunities for sober reflection, thanksgiving, and a renewed commitment to service.

As I reflected today, I came to a simple conclusion: the greatest celebration of life is not what we receive from others, but the lives we can touch positively.

This conviction has guided my approach throughout my years in business, in the corporate world, and as Governor of Anambra State. In each of these roles, I have tried to see every privilege not as a personal entitlement but as an opportunity to improve the lives of others.

Whenever people or institutions sought to celebrate me with expensive gifts or elaborate ceremonies, I encouraged them instead to redirect those resources towards projects that would have a lasting impact. Over the years, this philosophy has resulted in the building of schools, hostel blocks, support to schools, and other facilities that continue to benefit the less privileged. I have always believed that resources meant for personal comfort can often be transformed into instruments of hope for many.

The greatest honour anyone can receive is not found in gifts, ceremonies, or public admiration, but in knowing that one’s life has contributed, however modestly, to making another person’s life better.

Today, therefore, I give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of life and for bringing me to this important milestone of 65 years. I began the day with a Mass of Thanksgiving in Onitsha, thanking God for His grace, protection, guidance, and the countless blessings He has bestowed upon me over the years.

After the Mass, I proceeded to St. Raphael’s Hospital, Umueri, a small rural hospital in Anambra East Local Government Area. In furtherance of my belief that birthdays should be occasions for service rather than self-indulgence, I donated the sum of ₦10 million to support the hospital’s work of providing quality healthcare to the people.

As I was conducted around the hospital and saw patients in their moments of vulnerability, I was reminded again of our shared humanity. Some of those receiving care may not even have the financial means to settle their hospital bills, yet they deserve compassion, dignity, and access to quality healthcare. Their condition was a reminder that leadership, in its truest form, is about caring for people, especially those who cannot repay our kindness.

Hospitals and schools remain two of the greatest investments any society can make. A hospital preserves life; a school shapes the future. Supporting both is, therefore, not just an act of charity - it is an investment in humanity and in the future of our nation.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

Happy Birthday His Excellency @PeterObi . May the Lord bless your path and may your days be long.

[SportsDokita (Odogwu ☝️) @Sports_Doctor2]

Just look at a GOVERNMENT SCHOOL in Abia State 😳😳😳

Governor Alex Otti, thank you for changing our story in Abia State 🥹🥹🥹

[Alex Onyia @winexviv]

Onyedikachi Egejurum got a Gold.

He is the best in Mathematics in the world Primary Category.

This is the beginning of greatness for the country.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@Kechi The three of you are very pretty 😍

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@DeleMomodu No, Dele. It’s still the turn of the South. Zoning may not be the best but it creates equity and fairness in a Nation like ours. The North will have it in 2031.

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Media Framing of Crime Along Ethnic Lines: Divisive.

As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment, and labelling solely based on my ethnic origins. This is not an isolated Igbo experience. Most Nigerians have, at some point, been reduced to their ethnicity rather than recognised for their true character.

I understand the pain of the ordinary Fulani man today, often unfairly judged by the actions of criminals he does not support, has never met, and who are not representative of his people.

Even in America, such unjust labelling fueled the civil rights movement and prompted Martin Luther King Jr. to declare that people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

Every Nigerian ethnic group is known for its unique traditions, occupations, skills, and strengths. Crime, however, has no ethnicity. A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. They are bad actors, not representatives of any people. They must be identified, arrested, and punished according to the law.

We must decisively abandon the dangerous practice of blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few criminals. It is unjust, it breeds hatred, and it damages our national unity.

Let us proudly celebrate our diverse cultures, talents, and contributions, rather than falling prey to stereotypes and prejudices that politicians and divisive interests exploit for their gain.

A new Nigeria must emerge—one where no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion, or birthplace. We can cherish our cultural roots while standing united by justice, mutual respect, and hope for a better future. We are capable of this.

A new Nigeria is within our reach. -PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Fellow Nigerians, good morning.

I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you.

Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances.

We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal.

More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism.

We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power.

Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise.

Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.

However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.

Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated.

And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions.

There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess? Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline?

Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work. I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from.

Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.

A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@PeterObi May God reward your sacrifice to humanity and genuine love for our Nation, Nigeria.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@Peter4Nigeria @ADCVanguard_ @ADCngcoalition @OfficialPDPNig @seyimakinde @kabiruturakisan OK

[Oby Ezekwesili @obyezeks]

In the midst of the rot that aches the heart of those who genuinely care about Nigeria, I want to celebrate a fellow compatriot- Barrister Mike Igini.

Mike Igini was part of the many years of @inecnigeria Reforms. I believe he joined INEC in 2010 as a Resident Electoral Commissioner and was known as a person of strong moral construction and professional integrity who resisted political pressure and bribery attempts during elections.

Stories recount political actors trying unsuccessfully to influence his decisions, and he reportedly replying that his job was to “count votes, not money.”

I enjoyed his interview on @channelstv with @seunokin last night and with the @ARISEtv team this morning as he made the strongest case yet for a clause that makes real time electronic transmission of results into IREV from the polling unit mandatory.

If Democracy and Good Governance mattered to our politicians, Barrister Mike Igini, an outstanding former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) @inecnigeria would have long led that beleaguered institution.

He would have built up citizens’ trust and confidence in the institution after the catastrophic 2023 elections.

Why do you think the lawmakers of @nassnigeria are trenchantly opposed to Transparency in our elections?

They detest the idea of people with Character, Competence and Capacity like Mike Igini ever taking over institutions of Governance in the 3 Arms of Government.

Nigerian politicians want the country to keep sinking for as long as they are okay.

A selfish lot that do not care about even their own personal Next Generation who would ultimately fall into penury as their parents’ corrupted wealth will surely make themselves wings and fly away according to the Bible.

We must never lose hope that Nigeria will surely Become.

Grateful to fellow citizens like Barrister Mike Igini.

There are still many Good Ones like him among us. ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@PeterObi What manner of man is this? A man full of wisdom and knowledge, yet very humble. A man, who acts his words. Always very presidential in his speeches. You are a “subject” to be studied, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@PeterObi Happy birthday, His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

Happy birthday His Excellency, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi. Wishing you many more years of service to humanity.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@DAMIADENUGA Go and verify, Pastor Adeboye never led any protest against former President Jonathan but against wasting of human lives then. President Jonathan was not the one killing innocent people of Nigeria. Go and verify the placard Daddy Adeboye carried during the protest.

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@PeterObi Rest in peace Pa Ayo Adebanjo. You were a great man. You stood for equity, fairness and justice till the very end. May the angels welcome you as you join the Saints of the Almighty God. Adieu, man of Honour .

[Joe @FrancisJoeNK]

@AishaYesufu Congratulations ma. More blessings to you and your family.