Peter Obi came, he saw and he thrilled Toronto
Immigrants in the diaspora will get a chance to vote in future elections in Nigeria. This was one of the pledges made as the Peter Obi fever and “Obi-dient” train swept across Toronto, Canada and North America.
In a sell-out presentation at the Toronto Hilton Hotel, Peter Obi in Canada unveiled his vision for Nigeria and how he plans to outplay top contenders Tinubu and Atiku in the forthcoming winner-takes-all elections in the world’s largest black nation.
In addition to his pledge to let Nigerians in the diaspora vote in future elections, Peter Obi also plans to turn the country into a favourite destination. The event was organized by Peter Obi Nigerian Canadian Interest Groups (PONCIG) led by Vwede J. Obahor.
Here are the quotes and declarations Peter Obi released in Canada, North America.
Quotes and nuggets, sights and sounds of Peter Obi
Peter Obi- is change coming?
Brain drain
The brain drain in Nigeria will soon become a brain gain.
Exodus of Nigerians
70% of Nigerians in Canada and the diaspora probably wouldn’t have left Nigeria, if Nigeria was working.
Nigerians living abroad can’t have peace if there’s no peace in Nigeria.
Leadership
Don’t overpraise leaders before they perform. Let their performance first speak before you praise them.
Leadership is about accountability because people don’t do what is expected. They do what’s inspected.
Elections rigging
Nothing can stop the voice of the people. The movement we have today will compel INEC to do the right thing.
Security and poverty
The more you put people out of poverty the more security you have. This is called natural security and it’s the greatest security of all.
Ensuring security is not rocket science or mission impossible. We can’t let criminals overrun a country.
We don’t want professionals coming back home to Nigeria till we secure it for all of us.
Police and policing
Egypt has a population of 100 million and has over 1 million police force Nigeria has 200 million and less than 400,000 in police. This ratio is unacceptable.
Policing shouldn’t be at the Federal level alone. I will also introduce state police, community policing and multi-level policing.
Abacha loot
I won’t waste time looking at the past. Those who focus on the past will not be able to see tomorrow clearly.
Cost of governance
Nigeria’s cost of governance is ridiculously high because of the multiple layers of corruption.
For example, why should a state build a Presidential lodge when the President doesn’t live there and only visits occasionally?
We must cut costs without compromising quality. As Anambra State Governor, we got a quote of over N260 million to rebuild the Government lodge. I used direct labour instead and got it done for N43 million.
First Lady
I Peter Obi will not have the office of the First Lady. The people elected a president, not a First Lady.
Women and power
Women are Nigeria’s most underutilized assets. Women always give better returns. Learning and leading go together. Nigeria has had enough of men. We need more women in Government.
“NEPA” and electricity
I Peter Obi will declare a state of power emergency in Nigeria. South Africa with a population of 50 million generates 50,000 Megawatts of electricity. Nigeria with a population of over 200 million, generates a mere 12,522 MW.
Nurses
By 2030 there will be a global demand of over 20 million nurses. Nigeria should prepare to be an exporter of nurses.
Naira dollar exchange rate – Peter Obi
You must produce and export to increase the value of the Naira. Nigeria’s 200 million population has a land space of 930,000 sq km. Our exports amounted to only $60 billion.
Vietnam has 100 million and a much smaller land space but has over $312 billion in exports.
Happiness? Not from Peter Obi
I’m not promising Nigerians happiness. It’s the entertainment business that promises happiness. I promise change and progress.
I’m promising Nigerians good governance which might come with some pain.
