The Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi has praised two Nigerian teenagers, David Akiogbe and Eniola Shokunbi, for lifting Nigeria’s reputation high through their academic prowess.
On Monday, Obi applauded the efforts of the two Nigerian teenagers noting that they had strengthened his conviction that the country’s youth had boundless potential and will continue to shine on the international scene with the correct leadership backing.
“Just today, I read the inspiring reports of 2 Nigerian children currently making waves within and outside Nigeria, and in my usual tradition of celebrating and encouraging young exceptional personalities, I must not fail to share their stories.
“First is Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian girl in Connecticut, USA, who designed an air filter to reduce the spread of airborne diseases in schools and has received an approved funding of $11.5 million from the Connecticut State Bond Commission for the design.
“Next is David Akiogbe, a 15-year-old Nigerian boy, who made an impressive top score of 1580 on his Scholastic Assessment Test, SAT, as also confirmed by MIT, and is set to leverage the academic success to excel on the global stage,” he said.
According to the former governor of Anambra, the motivational tales of Shokunbi and Akiogbe indicate the neglected potential of millions of Nigerian children. Many of them are among the more than 20 million unschooled children who are on the streets due to the presence of unconcerned leaders.
While congratulating the youngsters, Obi stressed that the leadership needs to immediately concentrate on making educational investments for the future.
“I have repeatedly stated that my continual support for education across the country stems from my unwavering belief that with the right investments in our youths, they will be able to explore their talents, develop their skills, and contribute productively to the development of our nation while excelling on the global stage.
“I congratulate young Eniola Shokunbi and David Akiogbe for achieving the global recognition that has brought honour to the nation and now serves as an inspiration to other youths,” Obi said.