Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, shared insights from his recent trip to Kigali, Rwanda, on his X handle.
A key moment of Obi’s visit was his meeting with Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, where they discussed shared values such as effective management of resources and committed public service. Obi was inspired by Kagame’s leadership, which he believes is essential for Africa’s progress.
During his visit, Obi engaged in several meetings with prominent figures in the development sector. These discussions covered a range of topics, from personal interests to critical issues like sports and food insecurity. Obi emphasized the need for Nigeria to increase its productivity, stressing that “our productivity is low” and underscoring his vision for Nigeria to shift “from consumption to production.”
He also highlighted a conversation with Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who shared how Ethiopia worked to close the productivity gap with China. Desalegn revealed that “the average Ethiopian now produces 60-70% of what the Chinese can do,” attributing this progress to targeted efforts to enhance productivity.
Obi’s visit also included a speaking engagement at “The Silver Gala,” hosted by the Sherrie Silver Foundation. Reflecting on his experience there, he expressed optimism for Africa’s future, stating, “I saw a continent on the rise if only we could have the right leadership and invest in the entrepreneurial, innovative energy of our youths.”
Overall, Obi’s experiences in Kigali have strengthened his belief that a new Nigeria is possible and that Africa is on an unstoppable trajectory toward growth and development.
