Peter Obi has donated N50m to the Awka Anglican Communion, Anambra State, his commitment to the construction of the Department of Midwifery and Public Health Nursing of the Millennium College of Nursing Sciences of the diocese.
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections made the donation during the foundation-laying ceremony of the project.
He said the move is his dedication to advancing critical aspects of human development.
While he gave N10m at the Friday event, he said that through his planned giving, he would be part of the project till fruition. Obi had previously donated N40 million to Faith Specialist Hospital, where the College is domiciled. The contribution aims to enhance the Diocese’s overall initiatives in strengthening its healthcare facilities.
Speaking at the event, which took place in Awka, Obi said his motivation for the gesture stems from his belief that healthcare is one of the critical developmental needs of any society. He encouraged the support of institutions like the Church in their ongoing efforts to develop these vital areas.
The former Anambra State governor explained that the move was rooted in the understanding that these facilities do not solely benefit the bishop and his priests but the entire state.
On his part, the Anglican Bishop of Awka and the Archbishop of Niger Province Most Rev’d Dr. Alexander Ibezim, commended Obi for consistently demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of the masses.
He cited Obi’s past accomplishments in Anambra State, such as the return of schools to the Church and massive financial support to the schools as well as substantial financial support for healthcare as exemplary actions that other leaders should emulate.
In elucidating the significance of Obi’s contributions to society, the cleric, referring to him as “the builder of both individuals and institutions,” emphasized how his investments in education and healthcare dramatically transformed the landscape of these vital sectors within the state.
Additionally, Obi’s former Commissioner and Chief of Staff Prof. Stella Chinwe Okunna praised the Church for its dedication to initiatives that improve society. She recalled that during Obi’s tenure as Governor, his vision was aligned with global developmental goals. Under his leadership, the healthcare sector was completely revitalized. Before his tenure, Anambra had no accredited health institutions, but during his time, the state gained many, including two accredited hospitals.
Through Obi’s partnership with the Church, institutions like Iyienu Hospital, Ogidi, Holy Rosary Hospital, Waterside, Onitsha, St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha and St. Joseph Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu now have accredited Schools of Nursing, School of Midwifery, and Schools of Health Technology, she said.
She also mentioned Obi’s significant support for the establishment of the School of Nursing at the Diocesan Hospital of Amichi Anglican Diocese, emphasising that Obi’s efforts contributed to the elevation of Iyi-Enu Hospital to a University Teaching Hospital.
Furthermore, Okunna emphasized, “It was Obi’s government that initiated the construction of Chukwuemeka-Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital from scratch, equipped it, and secured accreditation. His administration also built 10 new maternity and childcare facilities in remote areas of the state and purchased close to 100 ambulances for selected Anambra hospitals. Rehabilitation of 15 General Hospitals in the 3 Senatorial Zones of the state, building over 120 Primary Health Centres across various communities in the state. His achievements were so outstanding that he won first prize in the Bill and Melinda Gates Prize for Polio immunization.”
The provost Chisom Ezulike, conveyed expressed her appreciation regarding Obi’s kind actions.
