Obi commends Davido, Nigerian artists for spotlighting Nigeria at World Cup

Politics, Sports

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has praised Nigerian artists who performed at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, singling out music star Davido for using the global stage to draw attention to Nigeria’s security challenges.

In a statement titled “The Commendable Act of Nigerian Artists at the World Cup,” Obi said the performances of Nigerian entertainers and the participation of Nigerians representing other countries at the tournament underscore the depth of talent the nation possesses.

According to him, Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup is not a reflection of a shortage of talent but rather a failure of leadership to create an enabling environment for excellence to thrive.

“Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup, as I previously stated, stems not from a lack of talent but from a conspicuous deficiency in political leadership that has failed to create an enabling environment for talent development,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor noted that the success of Nigerian artists on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages, as well as the presence of Nigerians competing for other nations, should serve as a wake-up call for political leaders to invest more in the country’s youth and human capital development.

Obi reserved special commendation for Davido, who used his appearance at the opening ceremony to campaign for the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State.

The singer appeared in a custom-made black leather jacket bearing the inscription “Bring Them Home” and displaying the names of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers reportedly abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to Obi, the gesture transformed the performance beyond entertainment and brought international attention to a pressing national concern.

“Davido’s impactful gesture in drawing global attention to Nigeria’s security challenges warrants commendation. By utilising his international platform, he effectively highlighted the country’s security crisis and advocated for the safe return of innocent victims,” he stated.

Obi argued that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity deserves greater global attention, particularly in light of the government’s perceived inability to effectively tackle the challenge.

“The pervasive insecurity in Nigeria merits international scrutiny, particularly given the government’s apparent inability to effectively address the situation,” he said.

Despite the challenges confronting the nation, Obi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, insisting that meaningful change remains possible through responsible leadership and deliberate investment in the country’s people.

“A revitalised Nigeria remains achievable,” he added.

The remarks come amid growing concern over rising incidents of kidnapping and insecurity across parts of the country, with civil society groups and public figures increasingly using international platforms to advocate for the protection of vulnerable citizens.