Iran Press/ Africa: Oby Ezekwesili, Chibok girls activist and former education minister, addressed a range of issues including national security, the state of leadership in the country and shared her vision for Nigeria on Monday, in a speech described as a response to Buhari’s 58th independence day address according to Africanews.
Ezekwesili’s presidential bid was announced by her running mate Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly ministries.
Ezekwesili used her "Bring Back Our Girls" advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria’s war ravaged northeast region.
‘‘We simply cannot get used to the idea that a life of a Nigerian is no longer as meaningful as we once knew that to be,’‘ she said in her address, indicating that security might be a pillar of her campaign manifesto.
She served as minister of Solid Minerals and then as minister of Education during the second-term presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo.
Born on 28 April 1963, Ezekwesili is a chartered account, who co-founded the anti-corruption body, Transparency International. Ezekwesili, who served as the vice-president of the World Bank’s Africa division from May 2007 to May 2012, holds a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.
Ezekwesili is married to Pastor Nedu Ezekwesili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG).
Vented through its national secretary, other party members were given the green light to contest for the presidency even though the National Executive Council of the party had already Muhammadu Buhari for next year’s presidential elections in Nigeria.
The Nigerian President will be seeking a second successive term of office next year since his election in 2015.
Read more:
Buhari to stand in 2019 Nigerian presidential elections
