Lagos, Nigeria – 20 July 2025 – Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Nigerians and supporters worldwide for the overwhelming birthday wishes he received on his 64th birthday. In a post shared on X on Saturday evening, Mr Obi extended his appreciation to the Nigerian youth, the ‘Obidient’ family – his dedicated supporters – and the Society of St Vincent de Paul, renowned for their charitable work with the poor.
“From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank everyone for the outpouring of goodwill and birthday wishes I received worldwide,” Mr Obi wrote. “I remain deeply grateful to all who marked the day in one way or another.”
However, the politician reaffirmed his long-standing practice of forgoing personal birthday celebrations, opting instead to redirect gestures of goodwill towards community development. Reflecting on his time as governor, Mr Obi recalled his 50th birthday, when he turned down lavish gifts in favour of projects with broader societal impact.
“One institution generously offered to build a house for me in the village, estimated at ₦120 million,” he shared. “I humbly requested that the funds be redirected to build classrooms in three educational institutions at Agulu, Ekwulobia, and Abatete. The impact was far-reaching.”
In another instance, a group planned a ₦20 million lavish party, which Mr Obi redirected to purchase 200 desktop computers for schools across Anambra State, enhancing educational opportunities. Similarly, an organisation’s celebratory plans were channelled into donating buses to institutions, including the Old Rangers Association.
“This has been my consistent approach over the years,” Mr Obi noted. “On each birthday, I use the opportunity to redirect goodwill towards causes that uplift others.”
Amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, Mr Obi highlighted the difficulty of personal merriment given the widespread suffering and deprivation. He urged well-wishers to redirect their resources to support the poor or bolster struggling health and educational institutions. “The scale of suffering among our people weighs heavily on the conscience,” he said.
Mr Obi, who was in Rome at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs on his birthday, used the occasion to pray for Nigeria and its leaders. “I especially prayed that God may touch the hearts of our leaders, and awaken in them the realisation that public funds are meant for the public good,” he wrote.
He concluded with a call for unity in building a better society: “May we all find strength and grace to keep striving for a more just, compassionate, and equitable society.”
