Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate under the platform of Labour Party (LP) has commended Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice-President, for his sacrifice, investing and vision of coming up with the America University of Nigeria (AUN) for the development of education in the country.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Peter Obi gave the commendation on Saturday at the 20th anniversary of AUN and Founders Day celebration in Yola, where he described education as the most critical tool for development and future of Nigerians.
Obi, who was the Keynote Speaker at the anniversary, tasked the products of AUN understand that they were groomed to be leaders of tomorrow hence the need to understand the qualities of leadership for them to contribute their part for the development of Nigeria.
“The more society is educated the more they develop and have quality life,” he said.
After the speaking at the event, Obi took to X and wrote: “Today, I traveled to Yola, the Adamawa state capital, where I was a guest and keynote Speaker at the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
“This engagement was in continuation of my tradition of sharing my thoughts by speaking at various Ivory Towers across the globe.
“This trend has taken me to various educational institutions worldwide, including Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University, Yale University, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the University for Peace, among others.
“At today’s event, I expressed my gratitude to the university’s founder, H.E. @atiku Abubakar, GCON, Wazirin Adamawa, who is both my leader and elder brother, for his immense sacrifice and visionary commitment to society, particularly in advancing education and human development.
“I commended the students of the American University of Nigeria for their resilience and dedication to staying in Nigeria to study and learn, rather than joining the trend of “Japa”—a reality now prevalent among many young people in our land.
“During my address, I emphasized the critical role of leadership in national development , underlining the need for competence, compassion, and capacity to transform our nation from consumption to production.
“I highlighted the importance of foresight and vision, citing countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines as examples of nations that have followed the global measurements of development and have significantly improved their Human Development Indices, GDP, especially GDP per Capita within a decade, to prove what determined and enlightened leadership can achieve.
“It was indeed a great pleasure to address such an audience of mostly young Nigerians”.
In his address, Abubakar said, the 20th anniversary is the beginning of the journey for his contribution to development of education in the country to shape the future.
Abubakar appreciated American government, ket stakeholders, pioneer board Chairman and his members for their eminent contribution for the success of the institution in the country.
He said, the day is also a day to celebrate those who contribute and dedicate for the development of the institution to date.
Dewayne Frazier, AUN President said, “AUN is first of its kind in Nigeria impacting positively for development of education in the last 20 years”.
He described Atiku as visionary founder by having the passion of coming up with the institution in the country, especially by having it in Yola.
According to him, the institution has all facilities up to international standard and is open for all, not only for the elites.
Obi also visited the “Almajiri” under going literacy and numeracy training as part of community service by the AUN.
Peter Obi donates computers, printers to school in Adamawa
Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra, has donated 10 computers and printers to Saint Augustine College, Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa.
Speaking at the presentation in Yola on Saturday, Obi said the gesture was to help students acquire more knowledge in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“Today, we are talking about technology, therefore, our children need to be empowered with technological skills for them to excel,” he said.
According to him, the computers will help them to get more skills at their basic level.
Rev. Fr. Moses Maaji, Principal of the college, thanked and appreciated Obi for the gesture and assured to make judicious use of the computers for the benefit of the students.
In his remarks, Bishop Stephen Mamza, Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, appreciated Obi for the donation and contribution for the development of education in the country.
According to him, the visit of Obi and donation are not because of politics. but his gesture in promoting education of young people to succeed in future.
He added that the computers would help to facilitate learning process for the purpose intended.