Obi in US, Says Nigeria Can Only Grow with ‘Competent and Visionary Leadership’
Labour Party (LP), 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has said Nigeria still has the opportunity of becoming a leading great nation if “competent and visionary” leaders willing to make difficult choices can emerge in the country.
Obi in a statement he shared on Monday while speaking on his visit to the United States of America noted that he has been visiting thinkers in countries with similar situation as Nigeria as part of his continued quest in search of solution to the nation’s teething problems.
The former Anambra State governor noted that he has continued to engage development stakeholder across the globe because some nations had similar situations as Nigerian and today those nations are out of the woods, while Nigeria remain in the doldrum.
As part of his three-day engagement trip to the US, Obi met with Nobel Laureate in Economics, Professor James Robinson, he said that “My interest in meeting him was stirred by one of his penetrating observations, that there are nations in the world which clearly know the path to prosperity, yet consistently fail to take it. Among his examples was Nigeria.”
He noted that, “These encounters, across continents and with some of the finest minds and most experienced leaders, continue to deepen my conviction: Nigeria’s story is not a closed chapter of decline but an unfinished narrative with the potential for redemption.”
Among those whom Mr Obi include, the Nobel Laureate who is the author of “ Why Nations Fail,” Professors Professors Chima J. Korieh Korieh and Pat Utomi among many others.
Speaking on his experience with the global leaders, Obi stated that, “In our conversation, Professor Robinson reminded me that nations must possess the humility to remain learners if they are to advance. For me, the dialogue was both challenging and inspiring. It strengthened my conviction that Nigeria’s renewal requires difficult choices. With committed reforming and prioritising critical sectors of development, we can leapfrog our turnaround.
He said that despite the serious challenges currently being face by Nigeria, he believed that “With competent and visionary leadership – rooted in capacity, character, commitment, and compassion – Nigeria can still be transformed into a nation of pride, dignity, and prosperity.”
