Peter Obi meets Commonwealth chief to Discuss Democracy and Youth Development

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday, visited the Commonwealth Headquarters in London as part of his continued global engagements aimed at promoting democracy, good governance, and youth empowerment.

During the visit, Obi was accompanied by his wife, Margaret Obi, where they met with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey — the first African woman to lead the 56-member group of English-speaking nations.

The meeting focused on strengthening democratic values, promoting the rule of law, and creating better opportunities for young people across Commonwealth countries.

Obi stressed the need for nations to invest in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship as key ways to build sustainable progress and reduce youth unemployment.

He pointed out that with a large percentage of the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion population made up of young people, countries like Nigeria can achieve real growth through proper training and support for their youth.

According to him, developing young minds through quality education, skills acquisition, and small business support will help tackle joblessness and drive national growth.

In response, the Commonwealth Secretary-General reaffirmed her commitment to promoting youth engagement, education, and job creation across member states, noting that empowering young people is essential for maintaining stable democracies and inclusive societies.

Obi commended her leadership and expressed optimism that continued collaboration with global institutions like the Commonwealth would help nations strengthen their democratic systems and improve opportunities for young citizens.