Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has donated N60 million to support education and healthcare in Anambra State.
On Thursday, Obi presented a donation of N50 million to the University on the Niger (UNINIGER) in Umunya, located in the Iyi-Enu campus in Idemili North Local Government Area, to aid infrastructure development at the institution’s take-off campus.
In addition, Obi donated N10 million to the School of Nursing at Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi.
During his visit to the university and nursing school, Obi emphasized that his financial contributions were investments in vital sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty reduction, which are critical for sustainable development.
“Our health and education systems have faced long-term neglect, resulting in severe challenges that affect the nation’s progress,” Obi remarked, stressing that the solutions lie in strategic investments.
Obi also highlighted the dire shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, in the country.
He called for more investment in training medical personnel. “We have a shortage of doctors and nurses, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendations. We must focus on improving the training of healthcare workers to address this challenge.”
The former governor of Anambra, whose administration made significant strides in education and healthcare, also encouraged the students at the institutions to value both academic excellence and strong moral character.
“The value of your qualifications lies not just in your academic performance but also in your integrity and character,” he told them.
Bishop Owen Nwokolo, Anglican Bishop on the Niger, expressed his gratitude to Obi for his continuous support of education in the state, recalling how Obi’s intervention revitalized the education sector by returning schools to the Church and ensuring they thrived.
Bishop Nwokolo also noted that Iyienu School of Nursing was one of the first beneficiaries of Obi’s support, receiving accreditation during his tenure as governor, and has continued to receive backing from him ever since.
Prof. Chinedu Osita Nebo, Vice Chancellor of the University on the Niger, praised Obi for his consistent commitment to education, which he said has significantly influenced the South-East region.
He credited Obi with helping raise awareness about the importance of education in the Eastern states, contributing to their improved academic performance nationwide.
A medical student at the university, Mr. Ikenna Offor, expressed his appreciation for Obi’s efforts, sharing how Obi’s past support had led to the development of key infrastructure, including hostels, staff quarters, a theater complex, classrooms, and emergency facilities at the school.
Offor thanked Obi for his generosity and support, hoping that his visits would continue.
Obi was accompanied by several dignitaries, including Professor Stella Okunna and other prominent figures, who joined in acknowledging his contributions to the development of education and healthcare in the state.
