Peter Obi Turns 52 Today..Says No Celebration Please

Governor Peter Obi says he does not have the intention of rolling out drums today as he marks his 52nd birthday.He said this yesterday while speaking to journalists shortly after the EXCO meeting.

On whether the issue was mentioned during EXCO meetings, Obi said that some people tried to, but maintained that since most of his Commissioners knew his views about unguarded celebration, that it was not given any attention.In his words, “I mean the business of governing a State is a serious one to start discussing birthday celebration when a serious State business of how to provide dividends of democracy to over 5 million Anambrarians are discussed.”

On whether he will celebrate the event by any way possible, Obi answered yes.He said he could attend lectures, where issues of governance and state’s welfare will be discussed such as public lectures, but not where people will eat and drink and probably forget themselves.
“Everybody knows my position on celebrations not to talk about now when the mood of the country is that of despondency due to unemployment, lack of infrastructure, threats of strike, among others. As Nigeria is today, we do not need to celebrate because that will be insensitivity to the plight of our people.Rather, what the mood of the time calls for those in authority to think of how to tackle the issue of minimum wage and reduce the tension in the land.It is about time we told ourselves the truth,” he said.

Pressed on to reveal any significant thing he did to mark the birthday, he said, “if you insist, I reached out to most clergy men in the country with request for more prayers for peace and progress in our country and for God to touch the hearts of our leaders, including myself, to take decisions that will benefit the greater number of the people.”

Concluding, Governor Obi said that his birthday gift to the people of Anambra was in form of promise to them that he would continue to take their welfare as priority.“I assure you that with the commissioning of Udoka Water Scheme, the other 17 water schemes in different towns will be commissioned by December. I assure you that we will build more roads.We have attracted the second biggest brewery in the world to Anambra, we shall attract more of such companies.I assure you that we shall continue to improve on all sectors.This is my birthday gift,” Obi concluded.

Brief Profile:

Peter Obi was governor of Anambra State in Nigeria from 17 March 2006 to 2 November 2006, when he was impeached and from 9 February 2007 to 29 May 2007 after his impeachment was overturned and has remained on that position till date.

Born: July 19, 1961 (age 52), Onitsha

Spouse: Margaret Brownson Usen (m. 1992)

Education: University of Nigeria (1980–1984)

Party: All Progressives Grand Alliance

Children: Gabriella Nwamaka Frances Obi, Gregory Peter Oseloka Obi