2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has hailed three “exceptional” Nigerians who are “making their nation proud” in American Football in faraway United States of America (USA).
The three Nigerians are: Michael Onwenu, who fields for New England Patriots; Uchenna Nwosu and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both fielding for Seattle Seahawks.
The former Governor of Anambra State said, they did not emerge successful by “accident”, but, through “discipline, opportunity”, and a system that gives talent a chance.
Obi said, Nigerians can “achieve” if they have the “right” environment to “thrive”.
Obi, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) member said: “As I prepared to watch the Super Bowl tonight, I was reminded of Nigeria’s vast potential. On the field were three exceptional Nigerians making their nation proud on the world’s biggest sporting stage:
“Michael Onwenu of the New England Patriots and Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks. Also, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year from Seattle Seahawks, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is of Nigerian descent.
“Their success is not accidental; it is the result of discipline, opportunity, and systems that recognize and reward talent. Watching them, one cannot help but reflect on what Nigerians can achieve when provided with the right environment to thrive.
On Sunday 8 February, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, United States (US), Seattle Seahawks produced a defensive performance to douse the New England Patriots and clinch their second Super Bowl victory.
Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, two of the strongest defences in the National Football League (NFL), locked horns in the showdown on Sunday, but, the former emerged winner with a 29-13 triumph.
Obi said, Nigerians will accomplish in “every sphere of human endeavour” if the country were led with “vision, competence”.
He further said, “Nigeria is not lacking in talent'”, but, there is a lack of leadership that unlocks that talent. He said, Nigeria will “participate and excel” on the world stage once we get our leadership right.
The former Labour Party (LP) member said: “If our country were governed with vision, competence, and integrity, and if leadership focused on building strong institutions, investing in people, and creating equal opportunities, there would be no limit to what Nigerians could accomplish—not just in sports, but in science, technology, business, education, and every sphere of human endeavor.
“Nigeria is not lacking in talent. What we have lacked for too long is leadership that unleashes that talent. When we get leadership right, Nigeria will not only participate on the global stage but will consistently excel and lead.”
