Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has congratulated Dr Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili on her receipt of the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, describing the honour as a global validation of integrity and principled leadership.
Dr Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, received the prestigious award in Doha in recognition of her decades-long commitment to transparency, accountability, and institutional reform, both in Nigeria and internationally.
In a statement, Obi said, “I warmly congratulate my very dear sister, Dr Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, on her well-deserved recognition with the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to her in Doha.”
He noted that the award goes beyond personal recognition, representing a broader affirmation of ethical leadership in public life.
According to him, “This prestigious honour is a powerful global endorsement of the enduring value of integrity and principled leadership. It affirms that competence, character, and unwavering commitment to the public good still command respect on the world stage.”
Obi praised Ezekwesili’s long-standing advocacy for good governance, stressing that her efforts have often come at great personal cost. “For decades, Dr Ezekwesili has been a resolute advocate for transparency, accountability, and institutional reform — often at significant personal sacrifice — yet she has never faltered in her belief that public power must always be exercised in service of the people,” he said.
He further described her career as a reflection of Nigeria’s untapped leadership potential, adding, “Her life’s work testifies to the leadership Nigeria is capable of offering the world when excellence is placed above expediency.”
Obi concluded by celebrating Ezekwesili as a symbol of ethical leadership, not only for Nigeria but for Africa as a whole. “She remains, consistently and unmistakably, a beacon of ethical leadership and a source of pride for our nation and the African continent,” he said.
He also wished her continued success, stating, “I wish her continued strength, sound health, and even greater impact as she continues to project the ideals of integrity, service, and excellence for Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.”
