The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has advised Nigerian students to take their education more seriously, saying when combined with the right attitude and behaviour, good education will open many doors of opportunity for them in life.
Obi stated this during the three-year remembrance of a novelist and former traditional leader of Ndikelionwu, His Majesty Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, organised by the Nigerian Book Foundation.
He explained to the students that good education and not money will make them great in life.
He pointed out that education remains the best inheritance he received from his parents.
Narrating his journey in life, Obi recalled how as a young student, he met and was inspired by many champions of education.
He recalled that as a young student, he encountered great men like the Late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; former President Yakubu Gowon; Nigerian Cardinal of the Catholic Church, Francis Cardinal Arinze at various times.
He said, “By receiving good education, I was able to climb up the ladder of success and become what I am today. As a governor, I was pleased to meet all of these men again and work with them closely. That is how far education can take you in life.”
In welcoming and appreciating Obi for addressing the students, the co-President of the Nigerian Book Foundation, Prof. Stella Okunna, described Obi as a great lover of education.
Okunna recalled how under Obi’s administration, Anambra State moved from 26th to the first position in WAEC and NECO.
She revealed that it was Obi who instituted the Nigerian Book Foundation to help young students, stating that it was Obi who built the Kenneth Dike State Library where the event was held.
The traditional ruler of the Obosi community and co-host of the event, His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka III, explained that Obi’s presence at the event was out of the love he has for education.
