The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Peter Obi, has called on Nigerian youths to focus on impact rather than money, stressing that impact creates sustainable success and value creation.
Obi added that what brings true happiness is the life the person has impacted and what he or she has been able to share with people.
The former Anambra State Governor stated this during the Faithspiration Initiative Youth Forum Season 3, held at the Holy Trinity Field at the Basilica Square of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State, on Sunday night.
He added that prioritising purpose leads to higher passion, better partnerships, and long-term fulfilment, often resulting in greater financial success than chasing money alone.
He said, “Focusing on impact rather than money creates sustainable success because value creation attracts financial rewards as a byproduct.
“Prioritising purpose leads to higher passion, better partnerships, and long-term fulfilment, often resulting in greater financial success than chasing revenue alone.
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“The reason is to encourage the young people. I was born in Waterside. You can live anywhere and become anything you want to become; you can meet opportunities anywhere.
“Money does not make you happy; what makes you happy is the life you have impacted, what you have been able to share with people, is what makes you happy and creates a lasting impact.”
He made reference to his days as a youth, saying his humble background shaped his life and contributed to making him what he is today.
“I am a child of this Basilica, I was born at the waterside, baptised and went to school here. While I was going to school, I used to climb the mango tree over there with some other students. The then Archbishop would see us, and we would run away. But the following day, we would face punishment for climbing the mango tree.
“But guess what? I lived my life, went to school, did the right things and eventually, I became a bank chairman. By the time I became governor, when I visited the school, they would be the ones asking me if I needed mangoes. People would bring mangoes to me, and I would be rejecting it,” he added.
Recalling his moments as Anambra state governor, Obi said he signed over 20,000 C of Os without owning any parcel of land, adding that he was not desperate to be Nigerian president, but only desperate to see Nigeria work.
“I have been governor in this state. I challenge any contractor who would say that Peter Obi gave him a contract and sat with him to collect his share, let him say it, and I will retire from politics.
“I was not elected to be a contractor; I was elected to visit schools. It’s not about making money; when people tell you it’s about making money, it’s not true.
“I don’t have a private jet, I don’t have any piece of land given to me by Anamnra State, since I left government, the state has never bought me pure water.
“As Anambra State governor, I signed over 20,000 C of Os, but I don’t have any parcel of land. I don’t need to live outside Onitsha; I live in Onitsha, and I still meet people all over the world; the people I have met from Onitsha, those living in Abuja have not met them. You can live anywhere and become what you want to be.
“For me, I am not desperate to be Nigeria’s president; I want to see a country where a child of nobody will be somebody without knowing anybody. People must stop looking for a job on the basis that he knows somebody.
“I went to a restaurant, and I met a boy serving at the restaurant. We got talking, he said he is a graduate with a first class, and I asked, ”
“How can you have a first class and you are here when people who have nothing to show are stealing public money? May God help us,” he added.
He encouraged the youths to keep doing the right things, reminding them that only those who do so would meet better opportunities in life.
Obi rose to national prominence as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, where he drew massive support, particularly from young Nigerians, in a movement that became known as the “Obidient” wave.
Though he lost the election to President Bola Tinubu, the outcome was disputed in court.
