What Happened When Obi Visited California State University, Sacramento

 Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 Nigerian election, paid a visit to California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) yesterday and discussed displacement, rehabilitation, and inclusive leadership.

Obi took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to share details about his visit, which began with a warm welcome from CSUS President Dr. Luke Wood.

He then met with Professor Nicole Fox, the author of “After Genocide,” a work about the pain of conflict and the hope of reconciliation.

Obi described their conversation as “enriching,” emphasising the plight of displaced people, particularly children.

“As someone deeply committed to the well-being and future of internally displaced people (IDPs) and families who have lost loved ones to conflict, violence, and criminality, I found the discussion both personal and profound,” Obi wrote.

The former governor also highlighted CSUS’s innovative initiatives, such as the Guidance Scholars project, which supports the education of foster children, and Project Rebound, which aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate formerly incarcerated individuals into the educational system.

“I was truly inspired by the vision and compassion behind these projects,” Obi stated, praising the initiatives for reflecting the kind of “intentional, inclusive leadership Nigeria requires, leadership that sees value in every human life and believes in second chances.”

Obi concluded his post by emphasising the importance of caring for the most vulnerable, adding,

“Our collective progress is contingent on how we treat one another, particularly the most vulnerable among us.” He concluded with his familiar campaign slogan, “A New Nigeria is POssible! -PO.”

Obi’s visit to CSUS demonstrates his continued commitment to social justice and human rights issues, both in Nigeria and around the world.

While the specific purpose of his visit to California was not stated, his online commentary indicates a desire to learn from existing programs that assist vulnerable populations and to investigate potential applications for similar initiatives in Nigeria.