The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, has issued a stark warning to Nigeria’s political leaders about the detrimental impact of corruption on the nation. Speaking in Abuja at the launch of Bold Leap, a book by Senator Chris Anyanwu, the monarch likened Nigeria’s current state to a cow being milked to death due to unchecked greed and corruption.
The revered traditional ruler stressed that placing personal and sectional interests above the public good threatens Nigeria's future. He urged leaders to prioritize accountability and national development, insisting this is the only path to sustainable growth.
“Should we continue milking the cow, it will die,” the Obi warned. “Since independence, we’ve talked endlessly about change, but it’s time to act. We either keep exploiting Nigeria for selfish gains, or we turn things around quickly before it’s too late.”
Highlighting the urgent need for reform, he condemned the culture of self-serving governance, where public office is often seen as an opportunity for personal enrichment rather than national service.
The Obi’s comments come amidst widespread public discontent over the country’s economic challenges. He emphasized that without immediate action, the damage could become irreversible. “Time is not on our side,” he said. “We either make drastic changes to save the cow or risk losing everything.”
The event, a celebration of Senator Anyanwu’s life and career as chronicled in her 600-page autobiography, brought together a distinguished audience. Notable attendees included representatives of President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as other prominent figures like former Senate Presidents David Mark and Anyim Pius Anyim, the Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and ex-Anambra State governors Chris Ngige and Peter Obi.
