Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, recently concluded a spiritual pilgrimage to Rome alongside his wife, dedicating the journey to prayers for Nigeria’s unity, healing, and transformation.
Following a two-day visit to the United States, where he addressed the Friendship Club on October 4 and delivered a keynote speech at the inaugural Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington D.C. on October 5, Obi traveled to Rome to join his wife for the Jubilee Year pilgrimage.
Marking the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year an event observed every 25 years, the couple undertook the sacred passage through the four Holy Doors of the major Papal Basilicas in Rome. Their pilgrimage began on October 6 and focused on seeking divine mercy and intervention for Nigeria.
“With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that despite our many challenges, we have remained one nation,” Obi stated. “We prayed for national forgiveness, for compassionate and selfless leadership, and for a political culture centered on integrity and public service.”
Their spiritual journey took them through the Holy Doors of St. Mary Major, Saint Paul Outside the Walls (where they were received by Cardinal James Harvey), St. John Lateran, and finally, St. Peter’s Basilica. At each basilica, they offered prayers for Nigeria’s peace and renewal.
At the Vatican, the Obi’s participated in the Papal General Audience on October 8, where His Holiness Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of hope, resilience, and faith. The couple later had the honor of a private audience with the Pope, during which they requested prayers for Nigeria.
Throughout the pilgrimage, Obi said they encountered many Nigerian pilgrims whose unwavering faith and hope for the nation served as a source of encouragement.
In a reflection shared after the visit, Obi emphasized that prayer must be coupled with action: “While we trust in God’s providence, we must also take personal responsibility for building a better nation through honesty, diligence, and love.”
Reaffirming his vision for national renewal, Obi concluded: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”