Former presidential candidate Peter Obi on Saturday called for a cultural and moral reorientation among Nigerian youth, urging them to embrace integrity, hard work, and innovation as pillars of national development.
Speaking at the Golden Health Conference held at the Archbishop Patterson Auditorium, All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha, Obi addressed participants on the theme “Money Beyond Wealth,” emphasizing that true wealth transcends material possessions and is rooted in character, purpose, and societal upliftment.
Obi, who had returned from a scheduled meeting in the United Kingdom to attend the event, described the gathering as a timely intervention against the growing obsession with materialism among young Nigerians.
“While money is important, it is only a fragment of true wealth,” he said. “Real wealth uplifts both the individual and society, promotes education, reduces poverty, and creates opportunities for others to live dignified lives.”
He challenged prevailing narratives around youth involvement in cybercrime, stating that many so-called “Yahoo boys” possess untapped creativity and courage that, if properly redirected, could fuel innovation and drive national progress.
“Our challenge is to channel their energy from deception to productive enterprise,” Obi said, calling for mentorship and inclusive policies that nurture youth potential.
He also warned against the corrosive effects of dishonest wealth, noting that a nation that rewards corruption cannot build a culture of integrity. “Leadership must lead by example,” he added, urging young people to rediscover the dignity of labour and commit to building Nigeria through thought, effort, and enterprise.
Obi concluded with a call for national unity and justice, reminding attendees that no religion or tribe enjoys economic privilege over another. “Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources; what we lack is the will to do what is right,” he said.
He thanked Most Rev. Dr Owen Nwokolo, Bishop of the Diocese of the Niger, for his leadership, and commended the conference organizers for promoting ethical values and moral renewal among Nigerian youth.
The event drew participants from across the region and highlighted the growing demand for value-based leadership and youth empowerment in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse.
