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Tag: Peter Obi

  • Political thugs respected more than professors in Nigeria – Peter Obi

    Political thugs respected more than professors in Nigeria – Peter Obi

    Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Peter Obi has averred that political thugs are respected more than Professors in Nigeria.

    Obi made the statement on Wednesday during the presentation of Communication and Media Studies, a book edited by Prof. Chinyere Okunna, former dean of the Department of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.

    The former Anambra State governor said individuals like Prof. Okunna who contribute to the advancement of knowledge should be encouraged.

    “Today, nobody recognises academics nor are they invited for meetings on how to deepen knowledge in the country, yet every day we hear of meetings with kidnappers and bandits,” he said.

    Speaking further, Obi added that “I never knew Okunna before I appointed her commissioner when I was governor, but I became interested in her when I saw her CV as a nominee.

    “Many people protested her appointment because she was not a member of our political party but

    TheNewsGuru recalls that back in February, Obi urged clerics to stop preaching prosperity without hard work.

    “We have gradually turned to a religious economy, rather than productive economy. Go to different churches today, you hear things like ‘receive your car keys’ You then see people who should be more concerned about contributing to a more productive economy falling for such distractions.

    “Let the Church rise up and spread the true gospel of hard work, diligence and honesty.”

     

  • Group urges Peter Obi to contest 2023 presidential election

    Group urges Peter Obi to contest 2023 presidential election

    A socio-political organisation, Movement for the Election of Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction, wants Mr Peter Obi to contest the 2023 presidential poll.

    Obi was the Vice-Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 election.

    The group made the call in a statement issued by its National Convener, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, on Saturday in Enugu.

    According to him, the appeal is based on the national acceptance of Obi due to his prudent management of public funds and selfless service to various sectors of the economy, irrespective of state, religion or ethnicity.

    The statement reads in part: “Obi, a former governor of Anambra, changed politics from transactional to transformational and attuned himself as a servant-leader to the people.

    “It is pertinent to note that Obi is not only honest and transparent but also humble, selfless and fanatical when it comes to the welfare of the citizenry.

    “It is on record that his renovation of schools and hospitals and the empowerment of children, youths and widows stand out in Anambra till date.

    “Obi is the person Nigerians need as their president in other to actualise Nigerian of our dreams, hopes and aspirations,’’ he said.

    Ezekwueme, however, reiterated his earlier appeal to all political parties to zone their presidential candidates to the South-East in the spirit of justice, equity, morality and good conscience.

    “It will be in the best interest of the nation to re-enact the 1999 scenario in which the presidency was ceded to the South-West to pacify the people over the annulment of June 12 presidential election.

    “The June 12 presidential election was clearly won by Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he recalled.

  • Stop preaching prosperity without hard work, Peter Obi slams Christian leaders

    Stop preaching prosperity without hard work, Peter Obi slams Christian leaders

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has urged Christian leaders to resist the temptation of preaching “prosperity gospel devoid of hard work”.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart noted that the trend had gradually turned the country into a society without values, honesty, hard work and integrity.

    He advised the Christian leaders to spread the gospel that promotes good values in the society.

    Obi spoke at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State, at the opening ceremony of the Standing Committee meeting of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

    The event had about 1,000 delegates, including the Primate, Archbishops, Bishops, Chancellors and Lay delegates, from across the country.

    Obi said: “We have gradually turned to a religious economy, rather than productive economy. Go to different churches today, you hear things like ‘receive your car keys’ You then see people who should be more concerned about contributing to a more productive economy falling for such distractions.

    “Let the Church rise up and spread the true gospel of hard work, diligence and honesty.”

    The former governor urged everyone to continue to preach hard work and discipline for societal growth and development.

    Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, announced that the Church aimed at raising N5 billion for Mission Trust Fund spanning five years.

    Obi stressed that the Church could find some affluent Christians to support its missionary work.

    The former governor said the Church only needed 500 donors to give 10 million each to hit the N5 billion target.

    Announcing his donation, he said: “I will support the missionary work here with N10 million. And let me announce that I have about 10 people who are willing to also support the Church with N10 million each.

    “So, right now, we only need extra 489 people who can donate N10 million to help us hit the N5 billion target.”

  • I didn’t secure injunction to stop probe of SARS – Peter Obi

    I didn’t secure injunction to stop probe of SARS – Peter Obi

    Former vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi has denied reports that he secured an injunction to stop the probe of the disbanded police unit the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Obi made the rebuttal in statement released by his media aide, Mr Valentine Obienyem said in a brief statement on Friday that reports suggesting Mr Obi moved to stop such probe were false.

    The statement reads: “Kindly disregard the news as fake. There is absolutely no truth in the news.

    “Mr. Peter Obi is not SARS and could not have secured any injunction in a matter where he has no locus. For your information, it is SARS and not Peter Obi that is being probed. It is only enemies of progress that try relentless to link Obi to the probe that he is not part of.”

  • Why Nigeria is not working – Peter Obi

    Why Nigeria is not working – Peter Obi

    Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi on Wednesday said the reason Nigeria tends not to be working at this moment is that many individuals in various offices were recruited based on sentiment.

    The former governor stated this on Wednesday when he joined Governor Nyesom Wike to commission the Constructed Internal Road Phase 2 in Isiokpo, Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “The reason Nigeria is not working today is that people have been recruited based on sentiments,” Mr. Obi said, adding that this way of operating has to stop.

    He said, “if we have to recruit you to be local government chairman, governor, vice president, president, and minister, it must be based on capacity and competence, which are viable not what we are doing now and the country is collapsing”.

    According to the former chairman of the Nigeria Security Commission, accountability in government is a very critical yardstick to determining good governance and to build the trust of the people.

    Mr. Obi thanked Governor Wike for what he is doing for the people of Rivers State. He urged everyone who has been entrusted with the welfare of the people to give their all.

  • Defection: Umahi’s anger started after Atiku picked Obi as running mate in 2019 – Wike

    Defection: Umahi’s anger started after Atiku picked Obi as running mate in 2019 – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has traced the anger of his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the point Peter Obi was chosen as the Presidential Running Mate to the party’s 2019 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Wike, who spoke in a live television programme, also advised Umahi not to allow his quest to become president of Nigeria, destroy the South-East politically.

    He said: “When we had the 2018 convention that produced our Presidential Candidate then, the Waziri of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as presidential candidate, he consulted widely, and came up with Peter Obi, to be his Vice, Umahi was livid because he wanted to produce or he wanted to be Vice-President.

    “You don’t choose who would be the Vice-Presidential candidate of anybody. Umahi was livid. What disturbs me, why do you think that if anything comes to South-East it must be you? Why do you think so?”

    Wike said while no one would deny Umahi the right to pursue his political aspiration, which he said was the primary reason for his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he should be mindful of the political future of the South-Eastern region.

    He said Umahi had shown himself as an ungrateful man for insisting that he left PDP to protest the injustice the party meted to the South-Eastern region since 1999.

    Wike said Umahi could not talk of injustice when he singlehandedly installed his two younger brothers as the Zonal Vice-Chairman of PDP and the Deputy State Chairman of the party.

    He said: “If he believes in equity and justice, will he be doing such? It is because he has planted these people that the State House of Assembly had such effrontery to give the National Working Committee (NWC) ultimatum to zone the presidency to the East. Where does such a thing happen? No other party has done any zoning. You can imagine the level of selfishness. ”

    He also described as untrue the claim by Umahi that he made PDP in the southeast zone as the only financier of all of its activities.

    He said such a claim suggested that other governors of Anambra, Abia, and Enugu states were not doing anything to ensure the success of the party in the zone.

    Wike said: “I know it’s not correct. If not for Pius Ayim that impressed it on former Governor Elechi, would Umahi have become governor? So, he can’t say he’s the one who has built PDP.

    “The party made him what he is and if he denies it, it only tells you the kind of person he is. What’s even his contribution at the national level of the party to support his claim? Where was he when people like Alex Ekwueme fought General Abacha and built the party? I distaste such arrogance”.

    Wike dismissed the allegation against him by Umahi that he was a dictator, who imposed, Uche Secondus as PDP National Chairman and his will on the party.

    He described the allegation as spurious saying evidence abound that Secondus was elected at the National Convention of the PDP.

    The governor accused his Ebonyi State counterpart of being treacherous explaining that when the caucus of the party decided that Kingsley Chinda should be elected Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Umahi told his State Reps to work against it.

    Wike further stated that when PDP loyal members tried to rescue the party from the destructive tendencies of Modi Sheriff, Umahi was one of those who was frolicking with him.

    “We fought and won and Modi Sheriff left. I can say that I am one of those who made sure that PDP never died. I feel comfortable with my performance in my State. Rivers people are comfortable with me too.

    “For the first time before PDP left office, they (South East) have never had Chief of Army Staff. They have had Senate Presidents. They have had national Chairman of the Party; they have had Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “They have had Minister of Finance. Now, tell me what APC has given to the people of South-East since 2015, Minister of Labour, Minister of Science and Technology, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    “Three Senators from his state said they have seen the need for South-East to produce a president. However, it is not the way our governor is going about. This is not a personal thing. Your ambition should not destroy the entire South East.”

  • DSS vs IPOB: Peter Obi demands investigation over ‘senseless’ killings of unarmed youths in Enugu

    DSS vs IPOB: Peter Obi demands investigation over ‘senseless’ killings of unarmed youths in Enugu

    Former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings in Emene, Enugu State.

    A clash between the Department of States Services (DSS) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a week ago left some persons dead.

    The DSS confirmed that it lost two operatives.

    The Biafra agitators too said members were killed, with many currently in detention or missing.

    On Saturday, Obi stated his position on Twitter.

    Former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings in Emene, Enugu State.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Candidate in 2019 demanded a thorough investigation.

    “The recent killing of unarmed youths in Enugu is condemnable, just as the senseless killing of Nigerians in any part of the country.

    “I join well-meaning Nigerians in calling for a panel of inquiry to be set up to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing to avoid such recklessness in the future”, he tweeted.

  • Investment in children, sure way to national growth – Peter Obi

    Investment in children, sure way to national growth – Peter Obi

    Former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the People Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, has said that adequate investment in the lives of children is a sure way of bringing national development to Nigeria.

    Obi made this known through a Statement from his media office, signed by his Media Aide, Barr Valentine Obienyem, to mark this year’s children day that took place yesterday. He explained that every child is a bundle of potentials which when properly harnessed through adequate investment in education, can propel the country to an enviable height of national growth and development.

    Describing children as the hope of Nigeria’s future, Obi said any government that does not take their affairs seriously is planning doom for the generations to come. He expressed happiness that governments at different levels have embraced e-learning as an alternative to the closure of schools as a result of Coronavirus.

    He further explained that when children are well trained and educated, the nation would have less worrries on insecurities, violence and other societal vices plaguing a nation like Nigeria, as they would grow to become responsible individuals contributing positively to national development.

    “A nation that refuses to invest adequately in the training of their children and young ones will only reap violence, dearth of entrepreneurship and leadership, corruption and irresponsibility in the future. Children are the solid bedrock on which the future of every nation is built and thus must be given the best in terms of quality education, access to good health and moral support needed for their complete formation”, he said.

  • Coronavirus in control of Nigeria’s situation – Peter Obi

    Coronavirus in control of Nigeria’s situation – Peter Obi

    Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has said that there is a need to do more work in Nigeria as coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the country.

    Obi said this on Monday in an interview on MONEY LINE with Nancy, which was aired on AIT.

    He noted that Nigeria is still not in control of the most critical measure of how the virus is spreading, which is testing.

    According to Obi: “We have not really taken care or control of the [COVID-19] situation in Nigeria as it should be because the most critical measure of how this is spreading we are still not in control of it, which is testing.

    “For me, the issue of lockdown and relaxing it, we all still have to go through this very serious precaution and follow strict protocols.

    “Because where South Africa said they are in control of the situation in their country, here in Nigeria, the virus is in control of the situation.

    “We do not know what is happening. There is a need to do more work.”

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced another 248 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing to 4,399 confirmed cases in the country as of Sunday night.

  • Nigeria is home to highest number of poor people in the world- Peter Obi

    Nigeria is home to highest number of poor people in the world- Peter Obi

    The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, on Tuesday, lamented how Nigerians are suffering under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, he stressed that Nigeria is home to the highest number of poor people in the world despite the country’s huge borrowings.

    Mr. Obi stated this on Tuesday while speaking at The Platform, a programme by the Covenant Christian Centre to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day.

    He said Nigeria needs to do something very quickly and drastically on its present security situation.

    “The number one job of any government in any society is to provide security for lives and properties.

    “If you cannot do that then the government does not exist.”

    Mr Obi explained that one of the major things needed in the country to grow its economy is an investment but questioned how secured the nation is for investors.

    He noted that security is a fundamental factor that attracts foreign investors.

    According to Mr Obi, there are major factors affecting the growth of the nation which is security, education and Our economy (with emphasis on solving the current underemployment and unemployment situation)

    He said Nigeria is borrowing and not impacting on the development of the country.

    “We are borrowing but it is not impacting our growth. One of the crises we face as a country is the high level of our debt accumulation.

    “Today Nigeria’s debt is about 28 trillion dollars. Our debt to GDP is about 25%. Singapore’s debt to GDP is 100%. In Singapore, you can only borrow for capital projects that will pay itself back.

    “Nigeria’s unemployment rate is over 25%, global life expectancy is 75 years, while for Nigeria, it is 54 years.

    “Nigeria is the only country where you have a low literacy rate of 51% and this is caused by the nonchalant attitude towards our educational system”.

    Mr Obi further stated that Nigeria is the home of the highest number of poor people on Earth, and in every minute, six Nigerians fall into poverty.

    He said investors need peace to enjoy their dividends. Nobody is going to invest in an unsecured place no matter how huge the profit seems.

    “Our ten years budget in education is not up to South African’s one year budget in education

    Education
    A growing economy invests at least 4% to 5% of the GDP in education.

    Education is not an expense, it is an investment. The more you invest in education, the better your society.

    The Chinese annual budget for education is 580 billion dollars.

    In the last 10 years, Nigeria has budgeted about $4.5bn for education, less than the amount South Africa spends annually on its education.

    If the money spent on subsidy was invested in education and health, it would have impacted positively in our economy at large.

    Unemployment
    Talks about the economy is incomplete without addressing the issue of employment and unemployment.

    Unemployment and under-employment are the greatest contributors to the challenges to the growth of our economy. When people don’t have jobs, we will have terrorists and criminals in society.