The labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi on Saturday called on members of Rotaract Clubs across Nigeria to live out Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” by confronting the nation’s most urgent challenges with bold and compassionate leadership. Speaking via livestream from California at the 38th All-Nigeria Rotaract Multi-District Conference, he urged the 300 delegates gathered under the theme “Rising to the Call for Nation-Building: The Role of Youths and Youth Organizations” to see themselves as “critical shareholders” in Nigeria’s future.
Obi began by recalling Rotary’s century-long legacy of community service and explaining that Rotaract was founded in 1968 precisely because young people, endowed with energy, creativity and idealism, have the power to transform society. He stressed that the world’s most successful development initiatives have always depended on the active engagement and fresh perspectives of youth, and he encouraged delegates to embrace their responsibility as tomorrow’s leaders.
Turning to concrete data, Obi pointed out that since 1990 the Human Development Index of China, Vietnam and Indonesia has climbed from the medium to the high category, while Nigeria has fallen into the low bracket. “Today, more Nigerians live in poverty than the combined total of those three countries,” he warned. “Unchecked poverty inevitably breeds crime and social unrest. If we are to break this cycle, our leaders must place education, healthcare and poverty alleviation at the very heart of their agenda.”
Obi then outlined four interconnected pillars of transformational leadership that every Rotaractor should champion. First, he said, is vision and values, the ability to articulate a compelling future anchored in integrity, accountability and compassion. Second is empowerment through participation, using Rotaract’s democratic structures, elected officers, project committees and district councils, to involve every member in decision-making and to invest in mentorships, skills workshops and internships. Third comes innovation and resilience: creating safe spaces for social-enterprise experimentation and peer-support networks that turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Fourth is strategic partnerships and alumni networks, forging alliances with government agencies, NGOs and the private sector while maintaining an engaged alumni community to sustain progress across generations.
Highlighting the practical implications of these principles, Obi urged his audience to shift from purely consumptive habits to a mindset of productive enterprise. “Leaders must support founders, not stifle them,” he insisted. “By removing unnecessary barriers and providing resources, we empower young Nigerians to build businesses, create jobs and drive the economy forward.”
In closing, Barrister Awo Kingsley Emeka, District Rotaract Representative thanked Obi for overcoming a ten-hour time difference to share his insights on youth-driven leadership. “Your words, wisdom and commitment to our development have been a beacon of hope for this generation,” Emeka said.