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Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says some internet fraudsters, popularly called “Yahoo boys”, possess exceptional creativity that could benefit the nation if redirected.
“Some of our so-called Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation. Their creativity and courage, if properly guided, can drive innovation and national development,” Obi said on Saturday in Onitsha, the capital of Anambra state.
The former governor spoke at the “Golden Health” conference held at the Archbishop Patterson Auditorium, All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha.
The event, themed “Money beyond wealth”, focused on promoting ethical leadership and moral renewal among young people.
Obi said he returned early from a two-day meeting in the United Kingdom (UK) to attend the conference because it addressed “a vice that has eroded our values — the greed for material possessions.”
He cautioned that Nigeria cannot attain greatness while celebrating corruption and rewarding dishonesty.
He reminded the audience that, while money is necessary, it represents only a small part of true wealth, which, he said, rests on integrity, character, and purpose.
“Real wealth uplifts both the individual and society, promotes education, reduces poverty, and creates opportunities for others to live dignified lives,” he wrote on X.
Obi added that the reckless pursuit of money has damaged Nigeria’s moral foundation, warning that no nation can progress if its leaders fail to model integrity.
“Leadership must lead by example, for a nation that rewards dishonesty cannot build integrity,” he said.
He urged young people to rediscover the dignity of labour and embrace hard work, saying nations are built “not by miracles but by men and women who think, work, and build.”
The LP chieftain also called for justice and fairness in governance, stressing that national development requires shared commitment rather than ethnic or religious bias.
“No religion or tribe buys bread cheaper than another. Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources; what we lack is the will to do what is right,” he said.
He thanked Owen Nwokolo, bishop of the diocese on the Niger, for his mentorship and commended the organisers of the event for their efforts to promote discipline and value-based leadership among Nigerian youths.
