Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has stressed the need for greater investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment, describing them as fundamental pillars for strengthening democracy and driving development across Commonwealth nations.
Obi made the call after a meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, at the organisation’s headquarters in London on Thursday, October 16.
In a post on X on Friday, Obi — who attended the meeting alongside his wife — said the discussions centred on “promoting democracy, deepening the rule of law, expanding access to education, and empowering young people across Commonwealth nations.”
“With over 2.5 billion of the Commonwealth’s population under the age of 30, young people remain the organisation’s greatest asset and hope for the future,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s potential, he noted that “a nation richly endowed with human and natural resources” must make meaningful investments in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship to unlock the potential of its youth.
“When properly equipped, our young people will not only drive national development but also contribute significantly to global progress,” Obi added.
Describing youth unemployment as “one of the most pressing challenges of our time,” he said addressing it demands “intentional and practical action — through skills development, access to quality education, and the creation of an enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, who recently became the first African woman to lead the 56-member body, reaffirmed that her key priorities include “education, youth engagement, and employment creation.”
According to Obi, Botchwey “spoke passionately about the need to build inclusive societies that promote democracy, good governance, justice, and equal opportunity for all.”
“Her visionary, reform-minded leadership continues to amplify the voices of developing nations within the Commonwealth and inspire greater cooperation among member states,” Obi wrote.
He quoted the Secretary-General as stressing that “empowering young people is not only vital to sustaining democracy but also indispensable to shaping a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for all Commonwealth citizens.”
Obi described Botchwey as “a trailblazer whose dedication to education, youth empowerment, and democratic ideals strengthens the global Commonwealth community.”
“I remain confident that with leaders like her, the Commonwealth will continue to serve as a beacon of unity, hope, and shared progress for its member nations,” he said.
Meanwhile, checks by PUNCH Online shows that the body is yet to issue an official statement on the meeting or related developments.