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[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Supporting Healthcare Education with My Visit to Ibadan’s Nursing Institution.

After attending the 50th/15th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church, I proceeded to the College of Nursing Sciences, Oluyoro, Ibadan, where I interacted with the management and students of the institution.

I reiterated my belief that education remains one of the strongest foundations for building a better nation, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare. The training of competent healthcare professionals is essential to improving the quality of care and strengthening our national development.

In keeping with my earlier commitment to continually support the institution, I donated another ₦10 million to assist the College in its important work of training future nurses and healthcare professionals. This is part of my continued commitment to investing in education and supporting initiatives that contribute to Nigeria’s future.

I also encouraged the students to take their studies seriously, reminding them that nurses occupy a vital place in the healthcare system. Their skills, compassion, and dedication are needed not only in Nigeria but across the world. I urged them to pursue excellence, uphold the highest standards of professionalism, and become worthy ambassadors of our country.

A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

When a Government Declares War on the Truth

President Donald Trump of America recently described Nigeria as “a now disgraced country.” The painful reality is that Nigeria’s challenges continue to deepen. Each passing day reveals deeper signs of decline, especially when a government becomes increasingly intolerant of truth and hostile to those who speak about the suffering of the people.

The Catholic Church has never functioned as an opposition party in Nigeria. Across military regimes and successive democratic administrations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has maintained a principled voice on national issues and the nation’s conscience, commending governments when they deserved commendation and speaking the truth whenever national conscience demanded it. Its interventions are driven by a moral obligation, rooted in Christian social teaching, to defend truth, justice, and the common good.

The same applies to Nigeria’s major religious organisations. Bodies such as Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have repeatedly raised concerns over economic hardship, inflation, and insecurity. Living among the people, religious leaders often encounter the suffering of citizens firsthand. They speak because they witness families struggling with rising food prices, unemployment, and the fear created by kidnappings and insecurity.

As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us and genuinely criticise us when things are not going in the right direction. As Governor, I had the opportunity of working with a very strong Council of Traditional Rulers, led by the Obi of Onitsha, and religious bodies that consistently criticised me and offered suggestions. This contributed greatly to our success in Anambra State, especially in critical areas like education and health.

Against this background, the attacks on the CBCN, and especially on His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, are deeply troubling. Even in 1998, when Pope John Paul II visited Nigeria and told General Abacha some hard truths, including about the incarceration of Chief Moshood Abiola, nobody vilified him.

During the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, to demonstrate his purported commitment to and respect for the Catholic Church, President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rome days before the event, ahead of most other visiting dignitaries, including Catholics such as the U.S. Vice President, JD Vance. He participated in the liturgy, queued with other world leaders to greet the Holy Father, and displayed deep respect for the moral authority of the Church. Back in Nigeria, however, that posture has now changed completely.

What is playing out today also reveals how political leaders sometimes exploit religion and ethnicity to divide the people. Even when it was obvious that the CBCN was speaking on issues affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic boundaries, aides to the President immediately reduced it to a “religious affair.” The question is: are insecurity, poverty, inflation, unemployment, and hardship problems exclusive to a particular faith? Do these challenges recognise religious or tribal boundaries?

The bishops merely expressed what millions of Nigerians experience daily: insecurity has worsened, poverty is deepening, inflation is crippling families, businesses are struggling, and hope is fading. These are realities echoed by religious leaders across the country, to whom successive governments gave thanks and promised to look into their observations.

Rather than address these concerns or explain the measures in place to ameliorate them, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s aides and supporters responded with vicious attacks, particularly against Cardinal John Onaiyekan, with little regard for his age, stature, and accomplishments.

[Chidera @Onowu_imo]

@FrUgochukwu "Through Christ"

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Condolence on the Passing of Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji

I am saddened by the passing of Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, the Sardauna of Sokoto, former Minister of Finance, and diplomat who served Nigeria in various capacities.

He will be remembered for his years of public service and his role as the Sardauna of Sokoto. His contributions to the nation and the Sokoto Sultanate will remain part of his legacy.

On behalf of my family and myself, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Sokoto State, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, the Sultanate of Sokoto, the royal family, and all who mourn his passing.

May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort the bereaved with strength and fortitude in this difficult time. -PO

[Chidera @Onowu_imo]

@n6oflife6 @MTNNG It is @AirtelNigeria I will fight with in their office soon

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Rehabilitate Existing Infrastructure Before Embarking on New Projects

I have consistently advised governments at all levels to prioritise rehabilitating existing infrastructure before embarking on new projects that may also end up abandoned or left unfinished. For expressing this position, I have often been criticised and called all sorts of names. Yet, it remains the most responsible approach to governance.

It is therefore noteworthy that President Bola Tinubu has now cautioned state governors against committing scarce public resources to constructing unnecessary flyovers in areas with little traffic while neglecting more pressing developmental needs.

The President is, in essence, saying what I have always maintained: government must prioritise projects that directly address the immediate needs of the people. I hope those ministers, officials, and supporters who have consistently attacked this position will now direct the same criticism at him.

However, this admonition must also apply to the Federal Government. There are several unrealistic and white-elephant projects being pursued by the current administration, even as much of our critical infrastructure remains in a state of disrepair. Given our present fiscal realities, priority should be given to rehabilitating and completing existing infrastructure rather than embarking on expensive new projects with limited immediate impact.

Across Nigeria, many of our major highways linking commercial centres and food-producing communities have deteriorated into death traps. Neglecting these critical roads while pursuing prestige projects is neither economically prudent nor people-centred.

This philosophy guided my administration as Governor of Anambra State. I prioritised completing viable projects initiated by my predecessors before embarking on new ones. Government is a continuum, and development should never be measured by who starts a project, but by whether it is completed and serves the people.

Leadership is about making the right choices: fixing what is broken, completing what has already been started, and investing limited public resources where they will have the greatest impact on the greatest number of people.

A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Hunger and the Insensitivity of Mr. President

I watched with deep concern the statement made by President Bola Tinubu to the Catholic Bishops who visited his office, that there has always been hunger in Nigeria, even before he was born.

While it is true that hunger has been a part of human life and has existed in our country for decades, such a statement appears insensitive to the plight of the millions of Nigerians who face worsening economic hardship today. More importantly, we must focus on the facts and the measurable outcomes of governance.

Before the present administration assumed office in 2023, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity, primarily caused by insecurity, armed conflict, widespread banditry, and devastating floods. Today, less than three years later, that number has risen to about 35 million Nigerians. Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration.

The same trend is evident in poverty. Before this government took office in 2023, Nigeria’s extreme poverty was estimated at 87 million people. Current projections suggest that this number is approaching 140 million people, making Nigeria home to the largest population of people living in extreme poverty anywhere in the world.

No one disputes that this administration inherited serious challenges. However, leadership is measured not by the challenges inherited but by the results achieved. The government must honestly acknowledge that its response has fallen far short of what the situation demanded, with millions more Nigerians pushed deeper into poverty and hunger.

The combination of persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure, and inadequate investment in productive sectors has compounded the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

A responsible government must prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and small businesses while pursuing policies that create jobs, expand production, and lift people out of poverty. That remains my commitment to the Nigerian people.

A New Nigeria is Possible. PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

The concerning building collapses in Anambra and Ogun States.

The collapse of structures housing, among others, some students of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Amaokpala, Anambra State, is deeply distressing. I am saddened by the tragic loss of two lives in this unfortunate incident. While I understand that the deceased were not students of the Polytechnic, I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. I also pray for the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries.

Coming barely days after the unfortunate similar incident at Amaokpala, the reported collapse of a building in Ogun State, with the loss of lives, is another painful reminder of the urgent need to prioritise the safety of our people.

I commend the Anambra State Government, the Ogun State Government, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie, emergency responders, security agencies, and all involved in the rescue and relief efforts for their swift and coordinated response. Their prompt actions helped prevent what could have been even greater tragedies.

These incidents call for deeper reflection and urgent action. Across our country, we must strengthen the enforcement of building regulations, ensure strict compliance with approved standards, and insist on regular structural integrity assessments to avoid preventable tragedies.

The safety and welfare of our citizens, especially our young people, must remain central to our development efforts. We must continue to invest not only in educational infrastructure but also in ensuring that every environment in which our people live and learn is safe and fit for purpose.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives, those who were injured, the students affected by the Amaokpala incident, and all impacted by these unfortunate events. May God grant eternal rest to the deceased, comfort their loved ones, and grant the injured a swift recovery.

I will continue to cherish and support our students, as they remain central to building the New Nigeria we aspire to. By investing in their education, safety, and well-being, we make that New Nigeria possible. -PO

[Chidera @Onowu_imo]

@oku_yungx Hmm

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Strengthening Democracy Through Inclusive Voter Registration

Yesterday, after attending the graduation ceremony of the Millennium College of Nursing Sciences in Awka, I visited an INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Centre in Enugu.

I was pleased to witness an orderly and well-organised registration process. I also met a number of people patiently queuing to register, demonstrating their commitment to participating in our democracy. I commend the INEC staff for their dedication and professionalism.

I, however, urge INEC to extend the Continuous Voter Registration exercise to at least 90 days before the General Elections to give more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register and participate in the electoral process.

A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

A Birthday Made Brighter by the Bravery of Our Troops at FGGC Monguno, Borno

I wish to extend my profound appreciation and highest commendation to the gallant members of our Armed Forces who successfully thwarted a grave kidnapping attempt at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State, in the early hours of today, July 19, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m.

Their prompt, decisive, and courageous intervention prevented what could have been a devastating national tragedy and saved many innocent students from the trauma of abduction. This act of bravery underscores the remarkable capability, resilience, and patriotism that our security personnel demonstrate when properly supported and equipped.

Educational institutions must remain safe havens for learning and development, not targets for criminal elements. Every Nigerian child deserves the opportunity to pursue education without the fear of abduction or violence.

While we celebrate this successful operation, it also reminds us of the urgent need to move beyond a reactive security posture towards a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach. Our security agencies must be provided with the necessary resources, motivation, and modern technology to detect and prevent threats before they occur.

My sincere gratitude goes to our troops for their dedication, courage, and sacrifice. My thoughts are with the students, their families, and the entire FGGC Monguno community.

As I mark my birthday today, this successful rescue effort is a gift that gladdens my heart — a reminder that, despite our challenges, there are still men and women who stand daily in defence of our nation and its future.

We must continue to support them and remain united in our collective pursuit of a safer and more secure Nigeria. -PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

FIFA World Cup: A Gallant Finish

The FIFA World Cup concluded successfully today, with the best team emerging victorious.

This is yet another fitting birthday gift, further demonstrating that the youth have not only arrived but are proving that excellence, when given the opportunity, will always prevail.

Today, competence, capacity, character, and capability were on full display. It is a powerful reminder that when young people are properly nurtured, entrusted with responsibility, and given the opportunity to lead, they deliver outstanding results.

This is the spirit we must replicate across every sector of our national life. A New Nigeria is Possible, and it must be reflected in every endeavour that brings pride, progress, and honour to our nation. -PO

[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.

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Today, I paid a condolence visit to my dear brother, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, following the passing of his beloved mother. I prayed that Almighty God grants her eternal rest and comforts him, his family, and all who mourn her.

I also visited the family of my departed elder brother, the highly revered Reverend Dr William Okoye, whose passing is a great loss to our nation and to humanity. Rev. Okoye lived a life of faith, sacrifice, and unwavering service to God and humanity. His legacy will continue to inspire generations.

Thereafter, I paid a visit to a dear brother, Mr Isaac Fayose, who was also recently bereaved, to express my heartfelt sympathies and solidarity.

In moments of grief, standing with one another is one of the greatest expressions of our shared humanity. I pray that Almighty God grants the departed eternal rest and comforts every family in mourning. -PO

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Celebrating a Great Mind, Prof. Barth Nnaji, at 70 and Congratulating a Young Intellectual, Prof. Chimaeze Adi, on His Inspiring Inaugural Lecture

Today, in Enugu, I joined other Nigerians of goodwill in celebrating a great mind—an accomplished scientist, innovator, and one of the pioneers of the E-Design concept—Prof. Barth Nnaji, as he marked his 70th birthday.

The tributes paid to Prof. Nnaji by friends, associates, and admirers reflected the profound impact he has made in engineering, academia, public service, and the power sector.

The occasion also brought back fond memories of my interactions with Prof. Nnaji, especially during my tenure as Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum. We worked closely together on the ambitious initiative to assume greater responsibility for power in the South-East, driven by our shared conviction that reliable electricity remains one of the strongest foundations for economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation. His depth of knowledge, clarity of vision, and practical approach left a lasting impression on all of us.

May Prof. Nnaji’s light continue to shine ever more brightly.

From Enugu, I travelled to Lagos to attend the inspiring 23rd Inaugural Lecture, “The End of Development Economics,” delivered by one of our country’s promising young intellectuals, Prof. Alpheus Bongo Chimaeze Adi of Pan-Atlantic University. The lecture addressed many important issues relating to economics and development.

I first met Prof. Adi during my 2022 presidential campaign. Even then, he distinguished himself as one of our outstanding young intellectuals, demonstrating a profound understanding of economics and development issues.

It was a fitting celebration of two remarkable minds from different generations, whose lives have been defined by excellence, innovation, patriotism, and commitment to Nigeria’s development. -PO

[Alex Onyia @winexviv]

Today, the T.N. Onodingene Family of Abor, Udi LGA, Enugu State, made this facility available for free to serve as one of the 2027 South East Mathematics Olympiad Preparatory Centre and also one of the official examination venues.

The facility features a 60-computer CBT centre, 24/7 internet access, a physical library, an 80-seat conference hall, and three dedicated workstations.

Students from any part of the country are welcome to use the facility free of charge.

This is the kind of investment in education that transforms lives and creates opportunities for generations to come.

We hope to see more families, individuals, organizations, and communities make similar contributions across the South East and beyond.

Please join us in appreciating the T.N. Onodingene Family for this remarkable act of generosity and their unwavering commitment to advancing education and empowering the next generation.

[Peter Obi @PeterObi]

Roadmap to a New Nigeria That Is Possible – Part II

Education and Healthcare: The Foundation of a Renewed Nigeria

Recall that on July 1st, in Part 1 of "My Vision for a Productive and Prosperous Nigeria," I outlined the broad framework of my proposed roadmap for national renewal. In it, I emphasised that the transformation of Nigeria must begin with rebuilding our human capital through quality education and healthcare, supported by reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), character and civic education, and strategic investments that will move our nation from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one. I promised to follow up with other parts in the coming weeks and months.

Today, July 16th, in the middle of July, I wish to expand on these two critical pillars - education and healthcare - because they are the bedrock upon which every prosperous nation is built. They are the cornerstones of the foundation that will ensure that a son of nobody can become somebody and remove many from the ranks of the disaffected who often become tools in the insecurity challenges confronting us.

Evidence from around the world shows that quality education and accessible healthcare are among the clearest distinctions between thriving nations and lagging ones. Princeton University Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton highlights this reality in his book, “The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality.”

Nothing, therefore, could be further from the truth than the claim by some young people that “education is a scam.” Education, when combined with good health, provides the ladder for individual upward mobility and drives economic growth for the nation.

We must become more intentional about aligning education with our national priorities, as Singapore did, and challenge our country to value education in the same way Deng Xiaoping repeatedly urged China to do from 1978 onwards, with the remarkable transformation we see today.

We will work through commissions that strengthen collaboration among the tiers of government, ensuring that primary education is domiciled at the community and local government levels, with strong parental involvement and curricula that are sensitive to local economic factor endowments and the value chains derived from them.

State governments will be supported to expand high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as general secondary education, through targeted grants and incentives.

We are also developing schemes that will enable universities to focus more deliberately on specialised areas of teaching and research, making them globally competitive while producing a workforce equipped for the demands of the future.

A NEW Nigeria is POssible. -PO

[Alex Onyia @winexviv]

We have been invited to Singapore for 2027. We will challenge their best students in Maths.

The winners of the 2027 South East Maths Olympiad will challenge the best in Singapore in 2027. 56 other countries will join too.

I like how the world is now taking an interest in our children.

I am benchmarking our education against that of Singapore, Finland, Shanghai, China, Canada, and the US.

This is how we can move from being a third-world country to a first-world country.

The future is looking exciting.

[Chidera @Onowu_imo]

@Kceze001 There is a reason the catechist always say during Mass that "the blessings of the Holy Mass is for everybody but the Holy Communion is for those practicing Catholics who are in the state of Grace". Please respect that going forward, thanks

[Chidera @Onowu_imo]

@_nonconformist1 Non waiting dey worry you 😂😂😂