Nigeria is poor because we celebrate thieves, says Obi
By Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi says Nigeria’s poverty problem is not about a lack of resources but about the choices the country has made.
He said a nation blessed with oil, gas and a large, energetic population should not be struggling the way Nigeria is. According to him, the real issue is leadership and a culture that rewards corruption instead of confronting it.
Obi spoke in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the Association of Skilled and Vocational Artisans of Nigeria (ASVAN), led by its National President, Comrade Obijuru Everest, during a courtesy visit.
“We are poor because we have chosen to be poor. We give titles and front-row seats of honour to those who steal public funds, and yet we expect to grow,” Obi said.
He compared Nigeria with Indonesia, which he described as similar in size and population but doing better economically because of stronger leadership and clearer priorities.
To improve Nigeria, Obi recounted how the Indonesian leader advised him to combat the theft of public funds, invest in education and healthcare, and observe the positive outcomes as healthy, educated individuals contribute to the economy.
He said countries that grow sustainably focus on people and small businesses, stressing that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) thrive where governments create stable and transparent systems.
“Join the fight for a great Nigeria. Stop worshipping those who steal your money, stop giving them titles, and stand up for what is right. Vote, defend your votes, and help produce good leaders at all levels, from councillor to president, and you will see the country change,” he urged.
Earlier, Everest said ASVAN had been following Obi’s political journey and believed it was important to identify with and support his aspirations to move the country forward.
He said artisans remain a major driver of the economy but continue to struggle because the right policies and support systems are not in place.
“We have developed a blueprint for a world-class artisan workshop village, which will be equipped to help our artisans produce top-quality finished products, giving them an edge over their counterparts in other countries. We have been engaging with the government, which has promised us land for this project over the past three years, but we are still waiting. We have many initiatives to implement that will transform and develop Nigeria’s artisan sector and build the country’s economy,” Everest said.
Here is a more natural, broadcast-friendly refinement that keeps the meaning intact:
He said ASVAN has coordinators across the 36 states and represents more than two million skilled and unskilled artisans. He added that the association is pushing for a bill at the National Assembly to formally recognise and regulate the artisan sector nationwide.
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