Ideas leave a trail.

Today, I traveled to Yola, the Adamawa state capital, where I was a guest and keynote Speaker at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). This engagement was in continuation of my tradition of sharing my thoughts by speaking at various Ivory Towers across the globe. This trend has taken me to various educational institutions worldwide, including Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University, Yale University, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the University for Peace, among others. At today’s event, I expressed my gratitude to the university's founder, H.E. @atiku Abubakar, GCON, Wazirin Adamawa, who is both my leader and elder brother, for his immense sacrifice and visionary commitment to society, particularly in advancing education and human development. I commended the students of the American University of Nigeria for their resilience and dedication to staying in Nigeria to study and learn, rather than joining the trend of “Japa”—a reality now prevalent among many young people in our land. During my address, I emphasized the critical role of leadership in national development , underlining the need for competence, compassion, and capacity to transform our nation from consumption to production. I highlighted the importance of foresight and vision, citing countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines as examples of nations that have followed the global measurements of development and have significantly improved their Human Development Indices, GDP, especially GDP per Capita within a decade, to prove what determined and enlightened leadership can achieve. It was indeed a great pleasure to address such an audience of mostly young Nigerians. A new Nigeria is indeed POssible! -PO

Amidst the very busy activities of the day, I still had to contend with the sad news of a fire outbreak at the famous spare parts market in Idumota, Lagos state. Such unpleasant news came while still mourning the loss of lives in the boat accident that occurred in River Niger, plus a very troubling report of another boat mishap in Kogi State, where many lives were also lost. While I appreciate our emergency response teams who arrived at the scene of the inferno to prevent further escalation of the fire, I also commiserate with the victims of this tragic incident. According to reports, goods worth hundreds of millions of Naira were destroyed in the inferno. These were people's means of livelihood, going up in flames in these hard times. It is really sad. I sincerely commiserate with the victims of the fire incident and the families of those who died in the Kogi boat accident. I also extend my sympathies to the Lagos and Kogi State governments and people, over these sad occurrences. May God give them all, and all of us, the fortitude to bear the loss and grant eternal rest to the dead. By supporting one another in these very challenging times, we shall emerge stronger. -PO

Today, while travelling to Yola in Adamawa state to deliver the keynote address at the 16th Founder’s Day Lecture, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), I received the very sad news of a tragic boat mishap. The incident occurred yesterday along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger, resulting in the loss of many lives. Reports indicate that the boat was carrying approximately 200 individuals, mainly market women and local farmers, transporting their produce to the market. My heart goes out to the families affected by this tragedy. These are already challenging times, and the loss of loved ones only deepens the pain. My sincere prayers are with you all. I also extend my deepest condolences to the government and people of Niger State. May God grant you, and all of us, the strength to endure this profound loss, and may He grant eternal rest to the departed souls. - PO

I am sincerely delighted at the reappointment of my very dear elder sister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation for a second term, effective from 1 September 2025. The very heartwarming news was just announced by the General Council of the organization. Iweala's admirable character, impressive resume, and litany of achievements in public office stand her out as a competent leader for such a noble organization. With her very visible contributions to our national development and the global community, she remains one of Nigeria's most valuable human capital exports to the world, a symbol of hard work and excellence, and a beacon of hope and inspiration for the younger generation. As she is set to continue to pilot the affairs of this global organization for another 4-year tenure, I wish her more health, strength, and wisdom to continue to stand for what is right. Her rise to greatness through productive contribution to societal development stands as a lesson to us in Nigeria; first, as leaders, who must understand that leadership is a responsibility to care for the people; and then as a people, who must understand that our leadership recruitment process must be based on character, competence, capability and integrity. Congratulations once again to you @NOIweala A New Nigeria remains POssible. -PO

It is very saddening and heartbreaking that the wave of insecurity has continued to sweep through every part of the country with no end in sight. The situation is even added to the harrowing hardship the people are going through yet they cannot even sleep with their two eyes closed. More heartbreaking is the fact that our critical infrastructure is often targeted by these merchants of terror who have no regard for human lives. Just a few days ago, I read a harrowing report about the killing of about 30 persons by terrorists, in separate attacks on communities in two Local Government Areas of Benue State. Yesterday, I was shocked by the reports of the unfortunate terror attack on the motorcycle showroom of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing in Nnewi, Anambra State, where about 3 members of the staff were also kidnapped. One very pertinent question that has continued to bother every well-meaning Nigerian is: "Where are we headed as a nation with this level of insecurity?It is even more worrisome and discouraging that, in the face of the severe economic hardship facing our nation, our productive business facilities are attacked. This is a time when foreign investors are leaving the country in their numbers; our few resilient local investors still have to face a frightening level of insecurity and other challenges for them to remain in business. We must not continue to allow this mindless waste of human lives and attack on our businesses and critical infrastructure, across the country. We must end this monster of insecurity before we are all consumed. I sincerely commiserate with all the victims of the terror attack in Benue, and every part of our nation. I also sympathize with Chief Innoson Chukwuma over the attack on his business facility. I urge the security agents to do their best in rescuing the kidnapped workers. Again, we must end insecurity in our nation before it ends us. -PO

Yesterday, I made a very solemn trip to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, to personally pay my last respects to the beloved wife of the Governor and First Lady of the state, Pastor Mrs. Patience Eno. I also used the occasion to offer my condolences to the Governor of the State, His Excellency @_PastorUmoEno, over the heartbreaking loss of his beloved wife. In moments of grief like this, words often fail us , but I hope the governor, his family, and the people of Akwa Ibom would find solace in the outpouring of love and support from all who share in their sorrow. On behalf of my wife, Margaret, and the entire Obidient family, I extended our heartfelt sympathies to His Excellency, his family, and the people of Akwa Ibom State. ‘We stand with you in prayer, trusting that God will grant you the strength and fortitude to navigate these difficult times' -PO

I wish to congratulate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery. The refinery, which comes on stream today boasts an installed production capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Approximately 200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery. Nigerians now await the corresponding impact and benefits on pump prices and the overall economy. Additionally, news of the Kaduna refinery's revival is promising, as it is expected to boost productivity, improve transportation, and alleviate economic burdens across the country. While we acknowledge these achievements as a step in the right direction, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of transparency in the operations of the NNPC. Nigerians deserve clarity and accountability regarding the management of the nation's vital oil resources, ensuring that the benefits of increased refining capacity reach every Nigerian and that the gains are used to support long-term development. A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO

Just yesterday, I congratulated a young Nigerian, Ugo Ugochukwu, who made a historic achievement at the 2024 FIA World Cup. Today, I am pleased again to celebrate two other Nigerians whose reports of their achievements are inspiring. I recently read the heartwarming reports of Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti, who was awarded the 2024 Opus Prize - a $1.2 million honor in recognition of her extraordinary humanitarian efforts worldwide. The Opus Prize is awarded annually to celebrate and encourage the humanitarian efforts of the recipient and to inspire others to pursue lives of service for societal development and better humanity. As the founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) in Abuja, Nigeria, Sister Ngozi champions the cause for women's empowerment by giving them access to education and exposing women to viable economic opportunities that will help them become economically independent. Through her works, she has continued to inspire countless numbers of girls and women to be socially responsible and contribute productively to the nation. The next inspiring story is that of Matthew Ayorinde, a professor of Physical Chemistry at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who, according to reports, was awarded the NAS Gold Medal by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS). The award recognizes Prof Ayorinde's contribution to science through his diverse academic research in materials science and applied chemistry. Through their various painstaking efforts, both Sister Ngozi and Prof Ayorinde have distinguished themselves and today stand as beacons of hard work, dedication to duty, and excellence. I congratulate them, once again, for their various awards, while encouraging them to leverage their new recognition to contribute more to society. A New Nigeria is surely POssible. -PO

I got into Abuja late on Monday to participate in the funeral Mass of a distinguished and patriotic Nigerian who was a Senate President in the Second Republic, Senator Joseph Wayas. I extended my sincere condolences to the family of the respected elder statesman. He served the nation at a crucial time when Nigeria's legislative efforts were truly dedicated to the people and focused on our country's growth. His legacy as a defender of democracy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come. May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in this time of grief. -PO

Congratulations to Ugo Ugochukwu on Your 2024 FIA World Cup Victory. It gives me immense pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to the teenage sensation Ugo Ugochukwu Orlandi for his extraordinary win at the 71st Macau Grand Prix. This historic achievement, as the first American driver in over four decades to capture this coveted title, is a moment of pride and celebration. Ugo’s outstanding victory stands as a testament to his immense talent, hard work, and consistent dedication—qualities that our youth today can demonstrate when given the right support and guidance. With a Nigerian mother, the esteemed supermodel Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi, and an Italian father, the former fashion designer Luca Orlandi, Ugo embodies a rich and diverse heritage. His success serves as an inspiration to young Nigerians everywhere, illustrating the boundless potential that can be realized when passion is paired with opportunity. I must also commend McLaren for their foresight in recognizing Ugo’s potential and for their ongoing commitment to developing young talent. Their support underscores the critical role of nurturing ambition and investing in the future. Ugo, beyond making history—you have inspired millions. I look forward to witnessing your continued rise as you push the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport. Congratulations once more, Ugo! -PO

As part of my commitment to encouraging the youths of our nation, yesterday, at the invitation of the Faithspiration Initiative, I had an interesting interactive session with youths in Onitsha, Anambra State. I leveraged the ample opportunity to remind them of the virtues of hard work, discipline, and integrity, which are all critical recipes for success. I also reminded them that no one is born with success, but we all strive to achieve success. Sharing my verifiable past with them, I reminded them that I too, like some of them, was born in Onitsha. I had my primary and secondary education in Onitsha, and would have done my tertiary education in Onitsha, if there was any University in Onitsha then. Success in life is not a function of one's background but of hard work and an unwavering determination to succeed by doing the right things. In the end, 25 of the youths received financial support of N300,000 each, to help them in their different productive ventures, while two more will be empowered every month, starting from January. I thank the organizers of the event for such a great initiative. A New Nigeria remains POssible. -PO

Today, together with other political leaders, captains of industries, and Nigerians from all walks of life, I was in Nnewi to pay my last respects to my dear younger brother, Sen Ifeanyi Ubah. His death remains a rude shock to me and to many whose lives he touched positively. Beyond his political service to the people, Sen Ubah contributed to a better society through his not-for-profit organization, which cared for the less privileged by investing in their education, health, and poverty alleviation. His death should remind us, first as humans, more importantly as political leaders, that we only have a limited time here on earth to serve the people under our care and leave lasting legacies for generations to come. Once again, I condole with the entire Ubah family, his colleagues at the Senate, the good people of Anambra South Senatorial District who he represented, and indeed, all of us, over his death. May God, who called him home at this time, grant him eternal rest and grant his family and all of us the fortitude to bear his sad, irreplaceable loss. May God protect and bless his family always. -PO

Today, I joined the formators, management, and seminarians of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this remarkable institution. Established in 1924, Bigard Seminary has a rich history of shaping generations of men who have made significant contributions to the Church and society. Since its inception, Bigard Seminary has produced four cardinals: His Eminence, the late Ignatius Cardinal Ekandem; His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze; His Eminence, Christian Cardinal Tumi from Cameroon; and His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke. The seminary has also trained over 35 archbishops and bishops, including the Chief Celebrant of today’s Mass and Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, His Grace Fortunatus Nwachukwu; the Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Valerian Maduka Okeke; and the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), His Grace Lucius Ugorji, among others serving God and humanity across the globe. Beyond these, it has formed countless priests whose contributions are too numerous to mention. I rejoice with the entire Bigard family on this impactful journey of 100 years in raising men of learning and character. I wish them continued success as they strive to build a more productive and just nation. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Today, I honored the invitation to attend the First International Conference of Peaceland University, Enugu, with the theme - 'Digitalisation in Education, Staying Ahead of The Curve.' It was for me, as usual, an opportunity to interact with the students and encourage them on their educational journey. I was particularly thrilled to learn that the University was founded and funded by a Swiss woman - Mama Pia, who during her visit to Enugu, Nigeria, saw the need to contribute to Nigeria's development by pulling people out of poverty through investment in education. This led her to donate all of her life earnings to that cause. Her story corroborates my ever-consistent position on the critical role of education in national development and why governments should prioritize investment in education for national development. In my comments on the theme, I explained that in today's fast-paced world, where changes in technology are happening so fast, we need to ensure that our education system is continually adapted to these growing changes in the digital space for learning to remain productive. To stay ahead of the curve, we must embrace innovative technologies and strategies in our education system. Many global institutions of learning are getting digitalized to enable them to offer more flexible learning opportunities to students. For example, the biggest university in the world today, by student enrollment is Indira Gandhi National Open University, India. It boasts about 7 million students. But the remarkable thing about it is that it delivers distance learning to millions of students through digital technology. Digitalization in education will, no doubt, offer increased access to education, by breaking physical barriers and ensuring greater access to education. It is also cost-effective, in that it will reduce the overwhelming cost of physical infrastructure associated with educational investments. If we invest aggressively in education, we will raise responsible citizens of society who will contribute productively to our national development. A New more enlightened Nigeria through increased and improved education remains POssible! -PO

As the world marks International Men's Day today, I like to sincerely celebrate all Nigerian men for their unwavering strength in these difficult times and their continuous selfless contributions to the growth and development of our nation. Being a Nigerian man myself and witnessing the biting hardship in the country, I clearly understand the painful struggles our men go through to fend for their families and the many obstacles they face in trying to actualize their dreams in a country that seems to offer little hope for their future due to leadership failure. In our nation, battling severe levels of hunger, which has also today become one of the most stressful and one of the most terrorized nations in the world, the average Nigerian man must bear the burden of providing for his family and keeping his family safe. He is constantly faced with poor healthcare, thus affecting his overall quality of life. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the average life expectancy for Nigerian men, sadly, stands at 55.1 years as against the global average of 70 years, signifying a high level of stress our men face in their daily struggle for survival as men. On this special day, I am sending a message of hope to all our Nigerian men. I say to you, "Endure and persevere. Do not lose hope; hold on strong. We are all in this struggle together, and together, we shall build the New Nigeria that we all desire and deserve. A New Nigeria remains POssible." Happy International Men's Day. -PO

I followed with keen attention, the journey of our Nigerian beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina, and her rise to stardom. I can only describe her journey as a demonstration of resilience, perseverance, and dedication. Through her struggles and the very challenging times, she held on to faith, hope, and her determination to rise to the top. And today, she has emerged victorious. She may not have received the 2024 Miss Universe crown, but competing against over 120 contestants from around the world and securing the first runner-up position in the competition and first position in Africa is a giant stride of which we are proud. I sincerely congratulate her for believing in herself and our nation. And to all those who contributed to her success today, your hard work has indeed paid off. In these very challenging times in our nation, she stands as a symbol of hope, especially to our youths facing different kinds of challenges, in their journey to greatness - Never give up, no matter how hard the journey, success lies ahead. As I have always said, we will remain committed to building a better Nigeria for our very talented youths, no matter the obstacles that stand in our way, because undoubtedly - The New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

I have, over the years, remained firm in my belief in the limitless potential of the Nigerian youths, who, when given the right leadership support, will continue to blaze on the global stage. Just today, I read the inspiring reports of 2 Nigerian children currently making waves within and outside Nigeria, and in my usual tradition of celebrating and encouraging young exceptional personalities, I must not fail to share their stories. First is Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian girl in Connecticut, USA, who designed an air filter to reduce the spread of airborne diseases in schools and has received an approved funding of $11.5 million from the Connecticut State Bond Commission for the design. Next is David Akiogbe, a 15-year-old Nigerian boy, who made an impressive top score of 1580 on his Scholastic Assessment Test, SAT, as also confirmed by MIT, and is set to leverage the academic success to excel on the global stage. The inspiring stories of these young Nigerians represent the potential of millions of Nigerian children whose talents remain untapped, many of whom are among the over 20 million out-of-school children roaming the streets, all because of our uncaring attitude as leaders. We must now focus on investing in their future through education. I have repeatedly stated that my continual support for education across the country stems from my unwavering belief that with the right investments in our youths, they will be able to explore their talents, develop their skills, and contribute productively to the development of our nation while excelling on the global stage. I congratulate young Eniola Shokunbi and David Akiogbe for achieving the global recognition that has brought honor to the nation and now serves as an inspiration to other youths. With such future stars in the horizon, I am very confident that a New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Yesterday, I honored an invitation to deliver a keynote/Interactive address at Wharton School, Pennsylvania USA, the African Business Forum. This forum, with over three decades of engagement with Africa, provides for both introspective and retrospective discussions on the continent’s future. As the oldest business school in America, Wharton has played a pivotal role in fostering these dialogues. This year, I had the privilege of participating and engaging with over 500 students from across Africa, especially Nigeria, to discuss the future of the continent and the contributions young Africans can make towards building a better, more prosperous Africa. I continue to emphasize to young Africans that our continent is brimming with potentials. Unfortunately, this potential has often been unrealized due to cumulative leadership failures. However, today's generation has both the opportunity and the responsibility to rewrite that narrative and drive the transformation Africa so urgently needs. During the session, I shared my journey from the world of trading and corporate life into public service, which have been with obstacles, but with persistence, and perseverance I have been able to overcome most. I emphasized that, having studied at some of the world's top institutions, I firmly believe our fulfillment comes when we use our knowledge to build a better society for all and engage directly or indirectly with our communities. It is only through this grassroots commitment that true progress can be achieved. I remain convinced that a new Nigeria and indeed a new Africa is possible. -PO

Yesterday, I was privileged to be a guest speaker at Yale University, a distinguished institution renowned for its long history of fostering global engagement and leadership. I expressed gratitude to Yale’s leadership, the Yale Africa Initiative, the Council on African Studies, and the Christie and Chinua Achebe Foundation for the opportunity to discuss democracy in Africa. In my contribution, I highlighted that Africa's electorate disillusionment stems from a failure of leadership, largely due to the unfulfilled expectations of democratic governance. I also emphasized that flawed elections, violations of term limits, and unresolved conflicts are significant obstacles to democratic progress. Internal divisions, including ethnic and religious differences, weaken institutions and widen the trust gap between the public and political leadership. On the topic of new political movements, I acknowledged their critical role in addressing exclusion and the necessity for more inclusive politics. Africa’s transition from single-party to multi-party systems demonstrates that building democracy is challenging but achievable. I stressed that genuine reform demands political will and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. Finally, despite the challenges, I expressed hope for Africa’s democratic future, urging the people, especially the youth, to commit to change, advocate for stronger governance, and demand electoral integrity. -PO

I have just received the sad news of the passing of Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu, a former Supreme Court Justice whose legacy of truth, justice, and fairness is celebrated nationwide. Justice Ogwuegbu's long records in the Judiciary, 11 years of which were in the Supreme Court, say a lot about his professional prowess. Remarkably on display during his tenure was an unwavering commitment to justice, steadfast dedication to truth, and defense of the rule of law. Justice Ogwuegbu's legacy is especially significant in a time when the judiciary, like our politics, faces unprecedented challenges, with justice often appearing transactional rather than the refuge of the common man. He was a beacon of integrity, ensuring fairness for all, irrespective of status. As we mourn his passing, we take comfort in the enduring mark he left on our judiciary. His dedication to justice, fairness, and truth will remain a guiding light. I respectfully encourage those in the judiciary today to uphold the same standards of honor and integrity. On behalf of my family and the Obidient family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Ogwuegbu family and the entire legal community. May God grant them, and all of us, the strength to bear this loss, and may He grant Justice Ogwuegbu eternal peace. May God continue to protect and bless his family always. -PO