Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to children’s welfare, national unity, sacrifice, and hope as the country marks Children’s Day and the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In separate messages released on Tuesday, Obi said Nigeria’s future depends largely on how well the nation invests in its children through quality education, healthcare, and security. He described Nigerian children as the “vibrant pulse” of the nation, possessing enormous talent, resilience, and potential capable of competing globally if given the right opportunities.

According to him, it is unacceptable that millions of children remain out of school while basic healthcare and safety continue to be treated as privileges rather than rights. He urged leaders, parents, and educators to prioritise human capital development, stressing that failure to invest in children amounts to “borrowing from the future.”

Obi encouraged children to remain hopeful, curious, and proud of their Nigerian identity, assuring them that efforts would continue towards building a nation where their dreams are protected and their future secured.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message to the Muslim Ummah, Obi urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of faith, sacrifice, tolerance, compassion, and commitment to the common good, which he said are central lessons of the Islamic celebration.

He noted that despite Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges, citizens must not lose hope in the possibility of building a functional, just, and productive nation. He further called for prayers for security personnel, wisdom for leaders, and economic relief for Nigerians facing hardship.

Obi also appealed for peace, unity, and mutual respect across religious and ethnic lines, expressing hope that the Eid-el-Kabir celebration would bring joy to families, peace to communities, and renewed hope to the country.