Obi made the disclosure while speaking on 93.7 Rhythm FM in Jos, Plateau State, where he recounted his involvement in efforts to address the country’s erosion challenges during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
According to him, he approached Yar’Adua with a proposal on how to tackle erosion, prompting the former president to direct the Minister of Environment to work with him on developing the initiative.
“I, working with the former Minister of Environment, we developed what they are using today to fight erosion. I went to President Yar’Adua, made a suggestion to him. He brought the minister and said, ‘You should go and develop it,’” Obi said.
The former Anambra governor also explained that his visit to Jos was primarily for a town hall meeting rather than a political rally, stressing that leaders must first understand the challenges confronting citizens before making promises or seeking their support.
He said the purpose of the engagement was to listen directly to residents, understand their difficulties and identify the issues requiring urgent attention.
“I’m not going for rally. I’m going for town hall. I came for a town hall meeting. Before we come for rally, we must go and listen to the people. Listen to what their problem is all about. Listen to what their pain is all about,” he stated.
Speaking on his vision for Nigeria, Obi promised to promote national unity, address ethnic divisions and restore security across the country.
He particularly expressed concern over insecurity in the North-Central region, where attacks and displacement have forced many families away from their homes and farmlands.
“There is a whole lot of division in Nigeria. I want to end tribal divisions,” he said.
He added that Nigerians should be able to live safely in their communities without fear of displacement.
Obi pledged that his administration would prioritise security to enable displaced farmers and other residents to return to their ancestral communities and resume their livelihoods.
“What is happening in North Central Nigeria today, insecurity, is something we must deal with, so that fathers, mothers can go back to their farm, live in their villages in peace,” he said.
