The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says public resources must be deployed strictly for the benefit of Nigerians.

Mr Obi stated this in his Independence Day anniversary address to Nigerians on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources should translate into improved living standards, security, productivity and shared prosperity for citizens.

According to him, Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not lack of resources but failure to convert its resources into human development and economic opportunities.

“Our greatest problem is not a lack of resources; it is the failure to convert our enormous resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity,” he said.

Mr Obi noted that the independence anniversary should also provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, assess its current situation and determine how to achieve the objectives of its founding fathers.

He identified poverty, insecurity, out-of-school children, food insecurity, unemployment, drug abuse and poor health outcomes as some of the challenges confronting the country.

The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over the number of Nigerians living in poverty and severe hardship as well as the number of children without access to education.

He also raised concerns about terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, saying insecurity continued to affect lives, livelihoods and economic activities.

Mr Obi said his recent visit to Sokoto State with Rabiu Kwankwaso, his running mate, reinforced his concerns about the conditions facing Nigerians.

He said they visited the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto metropolis, where thousands of women and children were living after being displaced from their communities.

According to him, many of the children lack access to education, while mothers and children have limited access to basic healthcare.

“These are Nigerians who should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting their businesses and contributing to the economy. Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country,” he said.

M Obi said the situation at Ramin Kura was a reflection of the difficulties experienced in different parts of the country.

He, however, said his message was not one of despair but of “hope, determination and responsibility.”

The NDC candidate said if elected president, he would make governance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.

He pledged to prioritise security, education, healthcare and productive enterprise, saying they were essential foundations for a functioning nation.

Mr Obi also promised to move Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a productive economy that would create jobs, support agriculture and manufacturing, and invest in human capital.

He said his administration would also work to ensure that Nigerians displaced by insecurity could return safely and with dignity to their communities.

The presidential candidate further pledged to spend his holidays in different parts of Nigeria, including Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi, Edo and Ekiti states to interact with citizens and better understand their challenges.

“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience,” he said.

Mr Obi said Nigeria needed leadership that would regard public office as a sacred trust and ensure public resources were used for the public good.

He called on Nigerians to mark the independence anniversary with gratitude for the country’s achievements, honesty about its challenges and courage to work toward a more secure, united and productive nation.

(NAN)