I’m not desperate to be president, Obi clarifies

Campaign awards N15m scholarship to Kano tricyclist 

Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections, Peter Obi, yesterday, insisted that he is not desperate to be Nigeria’s President, but wants the country to work.

This even as Obi and his running mate in last year’s poll, Baba-Ahmed Datti, have awarded a university scholarship to a tricycle rider for returning N15 million to the owner.

Auwalu, 22, achieved the feat by returning the huge sum to a ‘Keke’ passenger, who had arrived at Kano to purchase goods.
  
But months after the gesture, Obi, at the Leadership Awards and Conference in Abuja yesterday, alongside Datti, rewarded the Kano-born tricycle operator with a scholarship that covers his tuition, feeding, and accommodation. His words: “Forthwith, I have consulted with my younger brother (Datti) and I know there will be other things coming from the big men who are here.
 
“But for us, for now, your education, tuition, accommodation, and feeding will be taken care of by Baze University till you graduate.”Obi also lamented the country’s dependence on export of food items that could be produced locally.
  
After Obi’s remarks, Governor Umar Bago of Niger State, who also bagged Co-Governor of the Year, also announced a N250 million scholarship for Auwalu.He said: “I am the first son of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and as such, we cannot allow Baze University to outshine us.
 
“So, on behalf of the president in his capacity, Auwalu, we are giving you a scholarship of N50 million. On behalf of the governors of the APC, we are giving you additional N50 million.