Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has revealed that he turned down a ₦120 million house gift offered to him in celebration of his birthday.
Rather than accept the luxurious present, Obi insisted the money be used for a more meaningful cause.
“Rather than give me a house, let’s use that money to build classrooms,” he said.
According to him, he requested that the funds be channeled into constructing classrooms in three different educational institutions located in Agulu, Ekwulobia, and Abatete, all in Anambra State.
This decision underscores his well-known stance on prioritizing public good over personal comfort.
In line with this, Obi also declined a ₦20 million birthday party, choosing instead to donate 200 desktop computers to schools across Anambra.The former governor is widely recognized for his modest lifestyle and commitment to education and development.
He once revealed in 2017 that he owned only one wristwatch, which he had used for 17 years, and two pairs of black shoes.On his 64th birthday, Peter Obi spent the day in Rome praying for Nigeria and its leaders, reiterating his position that birthdays should be opportunities to support impactful and charitable causes, rather than occasions for extravagant celebrations.
Obi’s actions continue to reflect his core message:
leadership must be about service, sacrifice, and responsible governance, with special focus on education, health, and poverty alleviation.
