In a recent visit to Kigali, Rwanda, Peter Obi, a Nigerian politician, embarked on a soul-searching journey to uncover solutions to the challenges plaguing Nigeria and the African continent. Through a series of meetings and discussions with notable figures, Obi reignited his passion for a better Nigeria and a rising Africa.
A Focus on Productivity
Obi’s emphasis on productivity was a recurring theme throughout his visit. He stressed the need for Nigeria to transition from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven one, citing low productivity as a significant obstacle. This sentiment was echoed by Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who shared Ethiopia’s experience in learning from China’s productivity. Desalegn revealed that Ethiopia’s productivity has increased to 60-70% of China’s level, a testament to the power of knowledge sharing and strategic planning.
Inspiration from Rwanda’s Leadership
Obi’s meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame was a highlight of his visit. Kagame’s commitment to effective management of scarce resources and serving the people faithfully resonated deeply with Obi. This encounter reinforced Obi’s belief in the importance of good leadership in driving Africa’s growth.
Empowering Africa’s Youth
At the Sherrie Silver Foundation’s “The Silver Gala,” Obi spoke about the need to invest in Africa’s entrepreneurial and innovative youth. He envisioned a continent on the rise, driven by the energy and creativity of its young people.
A New Nigeria and a Rising Africa
Obi’s Rwanda visit was a clarion call to action. He remains convinced that a “new Nigeria” is possible, and Africa’s growth is unstoppable. As he reflected on his experience, Obi’s message was clear: with the right leadership and investment in youth innovation, Nigeria and Africa can overcome their challenges and reach new heights.
READ FULL TEXT OF PETER OBI’S POST
In pursuit of my desires and soul-searching for solutions for our country’s and continental challenges, I was in Kigali, Rwanda , over the weekend. I had several meetings, planned and some sudden with notable people in the development sector, and discussed a range of issues, especially from personal to sports and food insecurity. Most of the comments, I had resonated well with belief for example, whenever I talk about productivity, I maintain that our productivity is low and my emphasis remains on our country moving from consumption to production. The Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn
@HMDessalegn shared that in their dealings with the Chinese, they found that the Chinese produce 6-7 times what the Ethiopians can produce, and they decided to do something about it. Today, he recounted: “I can comfortably say that the average Ethiopian produces 60-70% of what the Chinese can do.” At the height of my meetings, and engagements was a gracious opportunity to meet with the legendary Rwanda President
@PaulKagame, with whom I had very useful discussions on things that resonate with me every day, especially what is required for Africa to move forward. He remains committed to the management of scarce resources and serving the people faithfully, which resonates with me deeply. Finally, I spoke at the Sherrie Silver Foundation’s “The Silver Gala”. While looking around the hall, 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, my experience in Kigali have reinforced my belief that the new Nigeria is possible and that Africa, the continent, is on the rise and unstoppable. -PO
