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By Madu Obi
Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has continued his investment in critical areas that drive development, namely, health, education, and poverty reduction, with a donation of N60 million to the newly established University on the Niger, Umunya in Anambra State.
Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election said N50 million is for the University, which has its take-off campus at Iyi-Enu, to support infrastructure development, while an additional N10 million goes to the School of Nursing at Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi.
Speaking at the occasion, Obi said his financial support for health, education, and poverty reduction efforts are not merely expenditure, but rather an investment in crucial areas that drive sustainable development.
According to him, health and education sectors have continued to suffer from severe neglect and lack of government attention, leading to many dire consequences.
Highlighting the specific challenges facing the health sector, Obi observed that it is burdened not only by funding gaps and infrastructure deficits, but also by a significant shortage of healthcare professionals across the country.
“We are currently facing a shortage of doctors and nurses, far below World Health Organization's, WHO’s, recommendations. The solution to this critical shortage lies in investing more aggressively in the training of healthcare professionals nationwide," he added.
He believed that investments such the ones he makes form the foundation of future developmental strides and encouraged the students to remain committed to their studies and moral development.
In his remarks, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, who oversees the schools, recalled how Obi revitalized education in the state by returning schools to the Church and supporting them thereafter.
He expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Obi and commended his dedication to uplifting crucial areas such as education, healthcare, and empowerment.
The Bishop recalled that Iyienu School of Nursing was one of the first institutions to benefit from Obi’s interventions when he was Governor, which enabled them to gain accreditation, and it has continued to receive his support long after his tenure.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedu Nebo described Obi as one man who understands the importance of education and has continued to apply himself commendably to that cause.
He remarked that Obi’s devotion to education during his tenure as governor awakened the entire South East to pay attention to education, which has led the Eastern states ranking among the best in the country.
Speaking at the event, a medical student of the institution, Mr. Ikenna Offor, shared his joy at being part of it, saying, “I’ve heard so much about Mr. Obi, but this was my first time seeing him.
It’s amazing to witness the generosity of this great man. Since joining this school, I’ve learned that it was his intervention that made possible two student hostels, House Officers’ quarters, the theatre complex, offices, classrooms, the accident and emergency building, the amenity ward, staff quarters, and the live ambulances. We thank him deeply for his support and hope he continues to visit us.”
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