Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has once again demonstrated his commitment to selfless leadership by redirecting a ₦120 million birthday gift into constructing classrooms for underserved communities.
In a heartfelt message posted via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, July 21, 2025, Obi, who turned 64, reflected on his legacy of using personal milestones to drive public good rather than personal luxury. He recalled how, during his 50th birthday as governor, he declined a ₦120 million house gift and instead asked that the funds be used to build classrooms in Agulu, Ekwulobia, and Abatete.
“The impact was far-reaching,” Obi noted, adding that other groups have followed suit over the years. One group redirected ₦20 million to purchase and distribute 200 desktop computers to schools, while another donated buses to institutions, all in place of birthday celebrations.
Obi emphasized that he does not personally celebrate birthdays, especially amid Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic conditions. “The current state of our nation makes the idea of personal merriment even more difficult to contemplate,” he said.
He used the opportunity to call on well-wishers to channel their goodwill toward supporting education, healthcare, and the poor.
Obi revealed he spent his birthday at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs in Rome, praying for Nigeria and her leaders.
“I especially prayed that God may touch the hearts of our leaders and awaken in them the realisation that public funds are meant for the public good,” he wrote.
The former governor concluded with a renewed pledge to continue supporting institutions that serve the public, stating: “May we all find strength and grace to keep striving for a more just, compassionate, and equitable society.”
