Obi Charges Students To Develop Leadership Potential

A former Anambra State governor and presidential hopeful in the 2027 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has admonished students to see themselves as potential occupants of a political office in the country.

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate gave the advice at the weekend in his lecture at the Peter University, Achina Onne, Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

Obi who narrated his life trajectory starting from his growing up days, schooling, business ventures and involvement in politics, advised the students that any of them could attain any position in life.

He urged them to take their education seriously to unlock their potential for greatness.

“Any of you here can be a senator, governor or president. So, don’t see anyone one in any position as different from you.

“The first time I saw a helicopter was when the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu came to Onitsha to commission the Library at Onitsha. That time, I was still in primary school. But when I was governor, we were friends.

“When I was in CKC, there was a mango tree we used to climb, and the present Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Valerian Okeke would come with cane, chasing us. But when I became a governor I was meeting him.

“When we were at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Chief Jim Nwobodo as governor of the old Anambra State then visited us three times.

“Nwobodo was governor of the old Anambra State which is the present Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi State. Today, I visit Chief Jim Nwobodo as a friend. I just visited him about three days ago in Enugu.

“The late President Shehu Shagari also visited us in UNN and spoke to us.

“So, what I am telling you is that any of you can become a senator, governor or president. So, work hard and take your education here seriously because with proper education, you can go to anywhere in the world,” Obi said.

He said that he even lost his father at an early age, but that as at today, he had studied in virtually all the best institutions in the world including Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Kellogg among others, and, advised the students that with commitment and determination any of them can attain the same height.

Earlier, while welcoming Obi and his entourage, the vice-chancellor of the institution, Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Umezinwa, eulogised Obi for his leadership qualities and championing a new leadership culture for the nation.

Obi was accompanied by the deputy vice-chancellor, Paul University, Awka and his (Obi’s) former chief of staff (CoS), Professor Stella Okunna; his former commissioner of Finance, Prof Patrick Obi; media aide, Dr Valentine Obienyem, and Benj Ubah.