HONOURING OUR HEROES BEYOND TRIBUTES
Today, I joined other Nigerians in Awka to celebrate the life and legacy of a distinguished senior military officer and diplomat, our departed elder, Lieutenant General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor (Rtd.).
General Obiakor served our fatherland with distinction as a senior officer of the Nigerian Army. Beyond his military service, he also served as a diplomat and Military Adviser at the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. He truly lived an exemplary life of service worthy of emulation.
In my remarks, I reiterated my position that the men and women of our Armed Forces, both serving and retired, deserve the highest honour and respect, not only in life but also in death. Political leaders should personally identify with and honour those who have dedicated their lives to defending our nation.
The recent loss of our military personnel in the aircraft crash and the subsequent helicopter incident further reminds us of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make every day for our country.
Our retired military personnel deserve timely pensions, accessible healthcare, and decent living conditions, while our serving personnel deserve adequate equipment, proper training, and effective medical care.
Those who defend our nation deserve a nation that protects their dignity and well-being.
May God Almighty grant General Obiakor eternal rest, comfort his family, and protect all our serving personnel. -PO
A TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM OKOYE
Today, I attended the funeral of a man I consider a true man of God, Dr. William Okoye, a man who dedicated his life fully and genuinely to the service of God and humanity.
Dr Okoye was a pioneer Pentecostal pastor in what is today Abuja, dating back to 1985. He later served as the Aso Rock Chaplain for eight years during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
What stood out to me about his life was that, despite his proximity to power, he remained steadfast and, by all accounts, committed to his faith and calling without allowing the trappings of public life to define him.
I also recalled our partnership during my time as Governor of Anambra State on a programme aimed at imparting virtues and values to young people. His commitment to raising a generation grounded in character and service was evident.
In my remarks, I described him as a man whose life was a testimony to the fact that it is possible to be close to power without being consumed by it, and to serve God and humanity with sincerity and integrity.
May God grant him eternal rest and comfort his family, church, and all those whose lives he touched. -PO
MY VISIT TO THE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA
Today, I honoured the invitation of the newly inaugurated President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Eric Okoye, and other former Presidents of the Association to attend his inauguration ceremony at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
On the sidelines of the event, I interacted with the new President and members of MAN and reiterated the enormous potential of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
With the right government policies, an enabling business environment, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, Nigeria can significantly increase the contribution of manufacturing to our GDP.
Manufacturing currently contributes about 7.5% of Nigeria’s GDP, compared with about 14% in Egypt, 15% in Morocco, 25% in Vietnam, 19% in Indonesia, and 20% in Bangladesh
We must therefore deliberately move from a consumption-driven economy to a productive economy, one that produces, creates jobs, adds value and competes successfully in the global market.
A stronger manufacturing sector will expand employment opportunities, strengthen our productive capacity, reduce our dependence on imports, increase exports, and improve the standard of living of our people.
I congratulate the new President and his team and wish them a successful and productive tenure. I look forward to continued engagement with the manufacturing sector as we work towards building a more productive and prosperous Nigeria.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Today, I was surrounded by cancer survivors, and the encounter was deeply moving. Their presence reminded me what is at stake in cancer care. Behind every statistic is a Nigerian whose survival should never depend on wealth or the ability to travel abroad.
Cancer care should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Nigeria needs at least five fully equipped, specialised cancer centres in each of its six geopolitical zones, alongside stronger prevention, screening, early detection, research and affordable treatment.
The goal is simple: no Nigerian should die because care is too far away, diagnosis came too late, or treatment is unaffordable. The survivors reminded me that behind every policy are human lives and the hope of a longer life.
Healthcare is not a luxury. Survival should not depend on geography or income.
Cancer care should not be a privilege. It should be a right.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
My Visit to the Nigerian Air Force Facility
Further to my message yesterday, I visited the Nigerian Air Force facility in Abuja today to formally sign the condolence register following the unfortunate aircraft crash.
The visit gave me another opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made daily by the men and women of our Armed Forces and other security agencies in the line of duty. These courageous Nigerians put their lives on the line to defend our nation and protect our people. We must never take their service and sacrifice for granted.
I extend my deepest condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
May God grant eternal rest to the departed and give their families the strength and fortitude to bear this painful loss.
May God continue to protect all those who serve our country. -PO
Building a Better Nigeria Through Service.
Yesterday in Lagos, I attended a dinner organised for Lagos NDC candidates and hosted by the Lagos Obidient Movement.
I used the occasion to remind the candidates that seeking public office is not about titles, positions, or the privileges associated with them. It is about accepting the responsibility to serve and committing ourselves to building a better Nigeria.
Having witnessed the suffering and hardship that our people continue to endure, we must remain conscious of the tremendous responsibility placed in our hands. Nigerians deserve leaders who are accessible, actively engaged, accountable, and willing to lead by example.
Our politics must establish a standard for others to follow. It must therefore be founded on competence, character, capacity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to the common good.
A better Nigeria is within reach, but achieving it requires leaders who are prepared to lead by example and remain accessible.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Happy World Teachers’ Day!
Today, October 5, I join the global community in celebrating our teachers on World Teachers’ Day.
Teachers belong to one of the most important professions in any society. They are not merely imparting knowledge; they are shaping minds, nurturing character, and preparing the next generation of citizens, professionals, and leaders. The quality of our teachers will, to a great extent, determine the quality of our human capital and, ultimately, the future of our nation.
I salute our teachers for their resilience, dedication, and immense sacrifices, often made under difficult socio-economic conditions. We must do more to improve their welfare, ensure the prompt payment of their salaries, provide conducive working environments, and equip them with the tools required to teach effectively. The dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.
Nigeria cannot successfully address the challenges of out-of-school children, unemployment, poverty, and underdevelopment without making deliberate and sustained investments in education. Education must therefore receive greater priority in our national planning and budgeting, with teachers and educational infrastructure receiving the attention they deserve.
To every Nigerian teacher, I thank you for your service and for continuing to build our nation, one child at a time. Please remain steadfast and hopeful. The Nigeria we all desire is possible, and building it begins with investing in our people.
With improved education, a new Nigeria that will be okay if possible.
Happy World Teachers’ Day! -PO
Umuoba-Anam/Aguleri Crisis: Passionate Appeal for Peace.
I am deeply pained by the reports of hostilities between the good people of Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.
Hostilities of the kind we are witnessing between the two communities achieve nothing but destruction. At a time when people are already finding it increasingly difficult to survive, adding the devastation of conflict is like adding fuel to the fire.
I appeal to both communities to immediately cease hostilities and embrace peace. No grievance, however serious, is worth the loss of lives, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, or the pain inflicted on families.
Let us choose dialogue over violence, reconciliation over revenge, and peace over destruction. There is always a better way to resolve our differences.
May God grant wisdom to our leaders and peace to Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri.
Nigeria will be OK. -PO
Abduction of 20 Youth Corps Members: Insecurity Must Not Be a Norm
The abduction of approximately 20 prospective NYSC members travelling to their orientation camp is yet another distressing indication of the worsening insecurity in our country. These young Nigerians were preparing to serve their nation, but they were unable to travel safely on our roads. Families are increasingly burdened by the fear that their loved ones could fall victim to kidnapping.
Protecting lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility. We cannot continue to regard insecurity as an ordinary occurrence or act only after people’s lives have been disrupted.
I call for the immediate and safe rescue of all the abducted corps members and the arrest of those responsible. Nigeria must become a country where young people can travel, work, and serve their nation without fear. -PO
PROTECT your countries, your identity, your kids’ future. BAN political Islam and any party that uses religion for power!
DO IT NOW
Tomorrow is already too late!
@GloWorld When you send out your NOC reports of your network sites, do you require the number, device type, signal strength displayed on device, precise location, and the nearest landmark before doing so?