Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has officially resumed public engagements after taking a brief but necessary medical break over the weekend, reassuring supporters of his commitment to national development and his ongoing advocacy for Nigerian enterprises.
The respected politician and businessman had earlier disclosed through a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle that he was advised by his doctor to suspend all activities following an unexpected health challenge while attending a tourism event in Enugu on Friday. In the statement, Obi explained that he had no choice but to step back temporarily to focus on recovery, as his doctor specifically instructed him to rest both within and outside Nigeria until he regained full strength.
By Monday, however, Obi confirmed his return to active public life, fulfilling one of his promises by paying a scheduled visit to a small and medium enterprise (SME) he had encountered earlier during his engagements. In his own words, he expressed deep gratitude to all Nigerians who reached out during his short absence: “Let me begin by thanking everyone who wished me well during my short time away from engagements on the doctor’s advice. I resumed my engagements yesterday, and I started by visiting an SME business owned by someone I met during my activities, and I was truly delighted to listen to the owner.”
His first stop was at Maison de Helen (MDH), a Nigerian luxury fashion brand established in 1990 by designer Helen Unuane, who inherited her tailoring skills from her mother and successfully passed the legacy on to her daughter, Elsie Unuane. Obi praised the business not just as a clothing house but as a symbol of creativity and resilience. He remarked that MDH represents “living proof of how Nigerian creativity, heritage, and enterprise can resonate on the global stage.”
Going further, Obi highlighted the crucial role of SMEs in the economic transformation of Nigeria, pointing out that Maison de Helen currently provides direct and indirect employment to over 50 young Nigerians. He stressed that enterprises like MDH are essential drivers of economic empowerment and youth employment, particularly at a time when the country is struggling with high unemployment rates and limited industrial growth. “With the right investment and government support, businesses like MDH can scale up, create more jobs, and become part of the solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges,” he said.
Obi’s visit has drawn significant attention not only because it marked his return to public duty but also because it underscored his continuous advocacy for entrepreneurship, local content development, and private sector growth. Supporters online have lauded him for “walking the talk” by prioritizing SMEs, while others noted that his approach reflects a practical blueprint for economic revival in Nigeria.
As Obi continues his engagements in the coming weeks, observers believe his renewed energy and focus on grassroots economic initiatives will further strengthen his reputation as a leader who prioritizes the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. His resumption not only reassures his followers of his health but also reaffirms his unwavering commitment to empowering small businesses as engines of national progress.