LAGOS JULY 9TH (NEWSRNAGERS)-Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, received a thunderous welcome from nursing students during a surprise visit to a federal School of Nursin., Chants of “Na our papa be this, we no get another one!” echoed across the school grounds as scores of students abandoned their classes and lined up to greet Obi with cheers, hugs, and ululations.
The visit took place on Monday, July 8, 2025, in an unnamed federal institution believed to be located in one of the South-East states. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment the former Anambra governor stepped out of his vehicle to a near stampede of students scrambling to take selfies, touch him, or simply say “thank you.” The atmosphere quickly transformed into a rally of sorts, with students waving handkerchiefs and chanting “Obi! Obi! Obi!”
Eyewitness accounts said Obi did not arrive with a heavy entourage or security detail, a move that only endeared him further to the students. His short address touched on the importance of quality healthcare, the struggles of Nigeria’s young people, and his deep respect for nurses and other health professionals. “You are the soul of our hospitals,” Obi reportedly said. “I came to see you, to remind you that Nigeria must work for you.”
The reception stands in stark contrast to that of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who visited the same school barely a week earlier under her Renewed Hope Initiative. Her entourage, which included heavy security and protocol officers, was reportedly met with silence and indifference as many students stayed back in their hostels and lecture halls, avoiding interaction with the First Lady’s team.
Social media platforms exploded with comparisons. On X (formerly Twitter), a clip of the Obi welcome had already garnered over 4.2 million views and 300,000 likes within 12 hours. Comments ranged from “Organic love!” to “This is the people’s president.” Influencers and political analysts noted that the contrasting receptions reflect the deep generational and ideological divide among Nigeria’s youth when it comes to leadership and governance.
Obi’s visit also reignited calls among students and youth groups for a more inclusive, accountable, and empathetic leadership. Several student union leaders have praised the former governor’s humility and consistency, urging other politicians to emulate his grassroots connection and honesty. “You don’t need N100 million campaign buses to touch lives,” one student leader said. “Obi showed that by simply showing up.”
As the 2027 elections begin to take shape, Monday’s events may well add to the growing momentum behind Obi’s influence among young Nigerians—particularly students who see him as a symbol of hope, simplicity, and integrity in a political climate often dominated by flash and arrogance.
NewsTrack
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