BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
As Nigeria commemorated its 66th Independence Anniversary, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has raised concern over the number of Nigerians facing severe hardship, unemployment, poverty as well as children without access to education.
This was even as he identified insecurity, out-of-school children, food insecurity, drug abuse and poor health outcomes as some of the challenges that continued to affect lives, livelihoods and economic activities.
In his Independence Day anniversary address to Nigerians on Thursday in Abuja, Obi who is also the Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said that public resources must be deployed strictly for the benefit of Nigerians.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources should translate into improved living standards, security, productivity and shared prosperity for citizens, adding that the country’s greatest challenge is not lack of resources but failure to convert the resources into human development and economic opportunities.
“Our greatest problem is not a lack of resources; it is the failure to convert our enormous resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity,” he said.
Obi pointed out that the independence anniversary should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, assess its current situation and determine how to achieve the objectives of its founding fathers.
He pledged to prioritise security, education, healthcare and productive enterprise if elected president, adding that his message was not one of despair but of hope, determination and responsibility.
Obi promised to move Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a productive economy that would create jobs, support agriculture and manufacturing, and invest in human capital.
He vowed to make governance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians, lamenting that many children lack access to education, while mothers and children have limited access to basic healthcare.
The presidential candidate stated that his administration would ensure that Nigerians displaced by insecurity return safely and with dignity to their communities, adding that Nigeria needed leadership that would regard public office as a sacred trust and utilize public resources for the benefit of Nigerians.
He enjoined Nigerians to mark the independence anniversary with gratitude for the country’s achievements, honesty about its challenges and courage to work toward a more secure, united and productive nation.
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