Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential candidate has expressed shock following the birthday request made by the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Mrs. Tinubu who is celebrating her birthday has asked Nigerians to donate funds on the completion of the National Library instead of sending it to her for cakes.
The request which has been criticized by Nigerians drew the attention of Peter Obi who condemned the request, stating that while it may seem as a noble cause, however, beneath it, such request shouldn’t have been made by the First Lady.
“I was struck by irony reading her request: that instead of cakes or newspaper adverts, well-wishers should donate toward completing the National Library in Abuja. On the surface, it is noble and selfless. But beneath it lies an indictment of our nation.” Obi said.
The former Anambra State Governor said, although, he recalled that he made such request when he was governor, however, it is important to note that National Library is the sole responsibility of the Government to build not by a token received through birthday wishes.
“I recall that, as Governor of Anambra State, I too urged that money meant for adverts be channelled into meaningful causes—computers for schools and classroom blocks. Such gestures were never meant to replace the government’s duty but to complement it. The state still bore the responsibility of providing those essentials.
On why it’s shocking, Obi said: “in our present circumstances, while billions are easily found for jets, yachts, unused mansions, endless trips abroad, and other frivolities, the nation must rely on birthday donations to complete its own National Library.”
“What kind of country must beg for charity to build the very temple of knowledge? What kind of leaders waste trillions on luxury and vanity, while the National Library – our intellectual furnace – remains abandoned in the capital? Serious nations treat libraries as sacred; but here we reduce them to afterthoughts, begging bowls, or birthday tokens.
According to Obi, “Mrs Tinubu was right: education is the most enduring legacy a nation can give its people. Yet to know this truth and still prioritise vanity is both shocking and tragic.
“If Nigeria will rise, it will not be on the wings of jets or the splendour of mansions, but on the strength of minds formed in classrooms and nourished in libraries. Until then, the lament remains true—we are finished.” He concluded.
