Obi, Commonwealth Chief Discuss Democracy, Education Others 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has met with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

The meeting centred on promoting democracy, strengthening the rule of law, and prioritising youth participation and empowerment across Commonwealth nations.

Mr. Obi noted that with over 2.6 billion of the Commonwealth’s population under the age of 30, young people remain the organisation’s greatest asset.

He emphasised that Nigeria, with its large youth population, possesses immense potential that can be unlocked through meaningful investments in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

“The future of Nigeria and the Commonwealth depends on how well we harness the creativity and energy of our young people,” Obi said, describing youth unemployment as a deeply disturbing challenge that requires urgent attention and concrete action from both national governments and international partners.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who made history as the first African woman to lead the 56-member association, reaffirmed that her administration’s top priorities include education, youth engagement, and employment creation. Her leadership has been widely praised for its inclusiveness, reform-minded vision, and renewed commitment to amplifying the voices of developing nations within the Commonwealth.

She reiterated the organisation’s dedication to supporting member nations in building inclusive societies founded on good governance, justice, and opportunity.

She further emphasised that empowering young people is not only vital to sustaining democracy but also to shaping a stable and prosperous future for all Commonwealth citizens.

Mr. Obi commended the Secretary-General for her dynamic and inspiring leadership, describing her as a trailblazer whose commitment to education, youth empowerment, and democratic values continues to strengthen the global Commonwealth community.