A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 National Assembly election, Esom Nwafor-Orizu, has called on public office holders to embrace sacrificial leadership and prioritise Nigeria’s long-term prosperity above personal gain.
In an Independence Day goodwill message, Nwafor-Orizu stressed that the nation’s socio-economic progress depends on leaders willing to build strong, enduring institutions for future generations.
Drawing inspiration from her late father, Dr. Akweke Nwafor-Orizu—a prominent nationalist and Senate President of Nigeria during the First Republic (1963–1966)—she underscored the lasting value of selfless public service.
“My father’s sacrifices and commitment to Nigeria continue to inspire me. They remind me that service is about what we give to our people and what we leave behind for generations to come,” she said.
She recalled that while still a student, her father founded the American Council on Africa Education (ACAE), which secured more than 250 scholarships for young Nigerians and other Africans in the 1950s—a period when access to higher education was severely limited.
Such efforts, she noted, prove that true leadership is measured not by the offices held but by the lives touched and opportunities created.
Addressing present-day political and social challenges, Nwafor-Orizu urged Nigerians to regard the country’s cultural and regional diversity as a strength rather than a source of division.
“Beyond our differences, we are one people with a shared destiny. The Nigeria we desire is possible when we choose to build together,” she declared, adding that national development remains attainable if both citizens and leaders make the necessary sacrifices.
She wished Nigerians a peaceful Independence Day celebration and a prosperous month ahead, expressing optimism that national growth and economic opportunities would soon reach families and communities across the country.