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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on the European Parliament to deepen its engagement with Africa, particularly Nigeria, in order to promote good governance, economic growth, and stability across the continent.
Obi made the appeal during a series of meetings held in Strasbourg, France, where he interfaced with members from key committees of the European Parliament, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the Africa–EU Delegation Committee, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, and the Committee on Development.
Obi on his ‘X’ handle on Wednesday said he used the engagements to stress the need for stronger, mutually beneficial cooperation between Europe and Africa.
“I appealed to them to strengthen their relationship with Africa, especially Nigeria, which stands as a key frontier for global development,” he stated.
He noted that Africa possesses enormous human and natural resources but continues to lag behind due to governance failures.
“Africa is a continent of immense potential, the second-largest in size and population, richly endowed with natural resources, and powered by a vast, youthful demographic.
“Yet it remains the face of global poverty, largely because of bad leadership and entrenched corruption a reality clearly reflected in Nigeria,” he wrote.
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Obi urged European lawmakers to support initiatives that improve the democratic process and promote credible leadership across African nations.
“I urged them to support the development of Africa, particularly Nigeria, by advancing good governance.
“This includes supporting our democratic processes in ways that promote the emergence of competent leaders with the capacity and integrity to transform our nations,” he added.
He also outlined priority areas where Nigeria needs international partnership, including tackling insecurity, improving power generation and distribution, enhancing education and healthcare, and reducing poverty.
“I highlighted how they can support us in addressing insecurity, improving power generation and distribution, strengthening education and healthcare, and lifting our people out of poverty.
“This is necessary because our success as a nation and the success of Africa has a direct benefit to Europe.
“Nigerian youths have immense desire and drive for entrepreneurship and productivity, if well supported. But today, many are facing despair due to limited opportunities,” he decried.
He emphasised that with the right partnerships and leadership, Nigeria and the wider African continent can play a stronger role in global development, “Africa, and indeed Nigeria, can and must work for all and contribute to global developments.”
