Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has returned to public engagements after a brief medical break that saw his scheduled appearances over the weekend suspended
Obi had announced the short medical rest on his official X account on Saturday, explaining that he fell ill while attending a tourism event in Enugu on Friday. Acting on his doctor’s advice, he paused all engagements both within and outside Nigeria for the weekend.
“I am complying with my doctor’s advice and will be taking a short rest, during which I will not be able to meet up with scheduled engagements,” he had said.
On Monday, Obi resumed activities by visiting an SME owned by a Nigerian entrepreneur he had met during his travels, fulfilling a long-standing commitment. He emphasised the importance of SMEs to economic growth, noting that MDH employs over 50 young Nigerians directly and indirectly and has potential for further expansion with proper investment and government support.
Obi drew comparisons with international examples, such as Bangladesh, where the textile sector contributes over 70% of exports and generates more than $50 billion annually. He lamented the decline of Nigeria’s once-thriving textile industry.
“Our textile sector has regrettably collapsed and now contributes very little to the national economy. This shows how much untapped potential lies within our borders,” he said.
He reiterated his call for Nigeria to shift from a consumption-driven economy to one focused on local production, particularly by supporting SMEs.
“Investing in small businesses is key to lifting millions out of poverty and positioning Nigeria as a global player in creativity and trade,” Obi added.
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