By OLAMIDE OJUOKAIYE
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has donated ₦30 million to Dominican University, Ibadan, while charging Nigerian youths to take responsibility for shaping their future and that of the country.
Obi, who arrived unannounced at the Samonda campus of the university on Monday, addressed students who were preparing for their examinations, urging them to see themselves as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s development.
Speaking during an interactive session with students and staff, the former Anambra State governor lamented that Nigeria remains one of the hungriest nations in the world despite having over 60 per cent of its arable land uncultivated.
He said the country’s major problem was not lack of resources, but a deficit of “competence, capacity and compassion” in leadership.
“Nigeria is not poor; we are just poorly managed. The level of poverty and unemployment we see today will not be tolerated in any serious country,” Obi said.
He noted that the era of over-dependence on globalisation had ended, adding that African countries were now being encouraged to develop from within.
According to him, agriculture should replace oil as Nigeria’s economic mainstay.
“Agriculture is the new oil. The Netherlands, which is about the size of Niger State, exports over $130 billion worth of agricultural products every year. That is about three times what Nigeria earns from oil,” he said.
Obi also compared Nigeria’s vast landmass with Israel, stressing that development is driven by knowledge and leadership, not ethnicity or size.
“Development does not come with tribe; it comes with knowledge. What we need is competent leadership to turn our resources into wealth,” he added.
On the 2027 general elections, Obi said the responsibility of ensuring credible polls rests largely on young Nigerians.0q1
“It is you that will protect your vote, not me. It is our country, but it is your future that is at stake,” he told the students.
He urged them to shift from a culture of consumption to production, insisting that the birth of a “New Nigeria” must begin in the classroom.
The Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University, Prof Jacinta A. Opara, expressed gratitude for the donation, describing it as timely and impactful.
She disclosed that the ₦30 million donation followed an earlier ₦50 million support from Obi.
“This gesture has boosted the morale of both students and staff. It reaffirms our mission as a centre of academic and moral excellence,” Opara said.
Some students also described the visit as inspiring. A 400-level Philosophy student, Mr Cosmos Akobundu, said Obi’s interaction had changed his outlook on national development.
“Listening to him today has changed my perception of our collective future. I now feel more responsible to take my destiny in my hands,” he said.
Similarly, a 200-level Mass Communication student, Miss Winifred Ogwu, said Obi’s presence motivated her to take her studies more seriously.
“His words have encouraged me to redouble my efforts, especially during this examination period. I now know I have a role in shaping Nigeria’s future,” she said.
Another student, Jacinta Nwachukwu Nelson, also said the visit reinforced the importance of hard work and personal responsibility.
Reacting to the visit, Fr Dr Augustine Agwulonu, OP, described Obi as a leader who leads with humility.
“Showing up unannounced is a sign of responsibility and humility. It was a pleasant surprise and a great motivation for the students,” he said.
Also, Fr Dr Emmanuel Ogu, OP, a leadership expert, said the visit symbolised service and accountability in leadership.
Fr Francis Chiadi, OP, Provincial Promoter of the Dominican Family, said Obi’s engagement would help entrench a culture of excellence among young Nigerians.
