Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, reiterated on Tuesday that his ambition was not driven by desperation for power but by a sincere desire to see Nigeria thrive.
Speaking in Abuja at the annual Leadership Conference and Awards where he was honored as the ‘Leadership Politician of the Year 2023,’ Obi emphasized his commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s progress.
“I am not desperate to be president; I am desperate to make Nigeria work,” Obi declared, underscoring his overarching goal for the nation’s development.
In his address, the former governor of Anambra State underscored the importance of engaging young Nigerians in productive endeavors to combat poverty and crime effectively.
“It is imperative to engage our youth productively to eradicate poverty and curb criminal activities,” Obi emphasized.
Obi further highlighted the paradoxical situation where war-torn Ukraine donated grains to Nigeria, despite the country’s vast agricultural potential. He pointed out that Nigeria, particularly states like Niger, Borno, and Taraba, possesses abundant arable land capable of not only feeding itself but also supplying food to the entire African continent.
“Ukraine has no reason to give us grain. Niger State can feed Nigeria and Africa with over 73,000 square meters of land,” Obi asserted, urging a shift in focus towards maximizing Nigeria’s agricultural capabilities.
Highlighting the correlation between poverty alleviation and crime reduction, Obi stressed the importance of proactive measures to uplift Nigerians out of poverty.
“The more you remove people out of poverty, the more you have fewer criminals,” Obi emphasized, advocating for strategic policies aimed at socio-economic empowerment.
