Obi’s Call to Action

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says Nigeria is unproductive because only politics and religion are attractive.

Speaking in a series of clips released over the weekend, Obi said divine blessings favour hard work and productivity.

“God can bless hard work; God can bless productivity; God can bless an industry, but God cannot bless someone who is sleeping,” he said.

The former governor of Anambra asked political leaders prioritising personal profit to rethink their role.

He noted that true leadership centres on serving the people and not self-enrichment.

“Being a leader is not a money-making venture. You’re not competing with Dangote,” Obi said.

“Dangote is a businessman. You should focus on what you were elected for.”

“You must choose your lane; if you want to be in government, be in government and serve the people. If you want to be a businessman, go and trade.”

‘NIGHT VIGILS SHOULD BE TURNED TO NIGHT SHIFTS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY’

Obi said Nigeria’s struggles with poverty and unproductivity stem from prioritising politics and religious activities over nation-building and economic development.

The ex-governor opined that night vigils should be replaced with night shifts to increase the country’s productivity.

“I’m not happy in Nigeria; we can’t continue to breed poverty; that’s not leadership,” he said.

“We live in a largely unproductive society, which is why the only things that seem attractive here are politics and religion.

“We have to dismantle it. I’d rather turn night vigils into night shifts so people can be productive. I go to church; I believe in God.

“However, we cannot have people attending church from Monday to Friday, morning and night.

“If I travel from here to my house, the only signboards you see are those of churches.

“If you go to the east, it’s burials, and that’s not a country. In other countries, you’ll see products.”

Obi added that charitable acts, such as going to the hospital or helping the poor, constitute “tithing” as they demonstrate a commitment to serving others.

“If you go to the hospital, it’s tithing. If you help poor people, it’s tithing,” he said.

Key Takeaways from Obi's Speech

- Rethink Priorities: Shift focus from politics and religion to nation-building and economic development

- Encourage Innovation: Foster an environment that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry

- Leadership Accountability: Hold leaders accountable for serving the people, not personal interests

However, as credible as these points are, changing the status quo won't happen overnight. Nigeria's deep-rooted problems, such as poverty, insecurity, and bad leadership, require sustained effort and dedication.

Obi's vision for a united and secure Nigeria, where "peace and justice shall reign," resonates deeply with many Nigerians. His plans to address the North's specific challenges, including security, education, and economic empowerment, demonstrate a clear understanding of the region's needs. While some critics argue that Obi's speech was overly ambitious or lacking in concrete details, I believe his commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-centered governance is a significant step in the right direction. I also hope it is not a publicity stunt or early campaign strategy in Nigeria where politicians seem to want the progress of the country only to turn a blind eye when elected.

Implementing Obi's vision though, will require collaboration, resilience, and perseverance. Nigerians must come together to demand better from their leaders and work towards a common goal of prosperity and peace.

In my opinion, the first point of collaboration is electing credible leaders. Until that is achievable, Nigerians can only wish for a better Nigeria. Obi's speech is a reminder that a better Nigeria is possible, but it will take time, effort, and collective action to achieve. As he aptly put it, "A new Nigeria is Possible".