YOLA — Former presidential candidate Peter Obi delivered an inspiring address as the keynote speaker at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola on Saturday, emphasizing the critical role of leadership and education in national development.
Obi, known for his tradition of speaking at renowned global institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard, highlighted his ongoing commitment to sharing his thoughts with academic communities around the world.
“I was a guest and keynote speaker at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola,” Obi wrote on X.
“This engagement is in continuation of my tradition of speaking at various Ivory Towers across the globe.”
The former governor of Anambra State also took a moment to express his appreciation for the founder of AUN, Atiku Abubakar, describing him as both a leader and an elder brother.
“I expressed my gratitude to the university’s founder, H.E. @atiku Abubakar, GCON, Wazirin Adamawa, for his immense sacrifice and visionary commitment to society, particularly in advancing education and human development,” Obi said.
Obi commended the AUN students for their resilience in choosing to remain in Nigeria for their education instead of following the “Japa” trend, where many young Nigerians migrate abroad for opportunities.
During his address, Obi stressed the importance of competent, compassionate leadership in driving national progress. He advocated for a shift from consumption to production, drawing inspiration from countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, which have demonstrated significant growth through strong leadership.
“It was indeed a great pleasure to address such an audience of mostly young Nigerians,” Obi concluded.
