To mark his 65th birthday, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi on Sunday launched a weeklong donation exercise to educational and health institutions in Anambra State and beyond.
Obi began the exercise with a visit to St. Raphael Hospital, Umueri, where he donated N10million to the management of the hospital for the commemoration.
Presenting a cheque to the proprietor of the hospital and Bishop of Niger West Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Dr Johnson Nwaohalanma Ekwe, observed that countries that funded their health and education sectors are better and more developed than those who did not.
Obi said: “As you know, it is my tradition to support the health and education sector. Today, to celebrate my birthday, I am here to give N10million to St. Raphael Hospital, Umueri.
“We are doing to support what My Lord the Bishop of Niger West Diocese is doing to develop this place. You see, when I was governor, I worked with the church, I backed them and I want to tell you that I will always back them.
“Some of the hospitals we supported as governor were small hospitals but today they have become university teaching hospitals. We also hope that one day St Raphael hospital and maternity will also become a teaching hospital.
“I am a lover of developing the education and health sector and it has been proven that countries that funded their education and health sector very well are doing better.
“What the church is doing is what government should be doing, but government has fallen off in its responsibility, so the church has stepped in and we will continue to support them.”
The presidential hopeful said he would start a weeklong donation to health and educational institutions across the country as a way of giving back to society as he marks his 65th birthday.
Meanwhile, aides and former members of Anambra executive council who served under Obi when he was governor held a thanksgiving mass at Madonna Assumpta Catholic Church, Agulu to appreciate God for his life.
However, it was learned that the group later paid a visit to a sickle cell home in Obi’s hometown of Agulu to show love, care and support to the residents of the home, as a way of reiterating his sustained commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable.
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Furthermore, Obi who is the Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been described as a man whose track records speaks him.
Prof Ifeanyi Odoh, the NDC candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi Central Senatorial election made this assertion during a town hall meeting in Abakaliki, where he formally announced that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recognized him as the party’s candidate for the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District .
Prof. Odoh also called on all their supporters from home and in the diaspora to vote for the NDC in the 2027 general elections, adding that the task ahead is difficult but with unity, strategy, intelligence and determination, they can overcome the obstacles ahead and build a better future for the country.
He said the Nigerian Senate provides tremendous opportunities for development, lamenting that many lawmakers have not been able to maximize its potentials for the good of their constituents.
He said his background as a professor of geosciences would allow him to make meaningful contributions in the Senate, especially in the areas of education, solid minerals, water resources, environmental management, healthcare, technology and food security.
The Senate is a place of enormous opportunity for anyone who knows how to use it. It is an opportunity we need to stop squandering. I am a geoscientist and I specialised in geophysics, solid minerals, water resources and environmental management. I have knowledge that can impact on the national policies and development of our people.
My expertise would be of use on committees that deal with education, natural resources, environment and related areas. I became a professor at the age of 38, and I believe my experience and professional background will allow me to make a meaningful contribution to legislative debates and policymaking.
“I have extensive exposure outside Ebonyi State. If I am elected, I will not be a silent senator. “I will aggressively pursue policies that will improve healthcare, education, security, agriculture and the general welfare of the people of Ebonyi Central and the State at large,” he said.
Odoh said he was confident of representing the district well, citing his record as secretary to the Ebonyi State Government between 2015 and 2018.
He said his promise to be accountable, made him voluntarily invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate his stewardship after leaving office.
I was Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government from May 2015 to April 2018 and I believe I am the only public officer in Nigeria who voluntarily invited the EFCC to investigate his tenure after leaving office.
“During my time in government, I was fair to everyone. So when I had the chance to employ qualified people, it was at the state and federal level.
“I was working at Nnamdi Azikiwe University before I joined government. When I arrived in 2009 there were only about four people from my area working there. By the time I left to contest elections in 2015, it had risen to 52.
I am dedicated to the welfare of our people and guided by principles. My departure from government in 2018 is well known. I thank the former governor that appointed me but we parted ways on grounds of principles. I have no quarrel with any one. “I just say what I think, follow my convictions and stay on my path,” he said.
“The presidential candidate of our party, His Excellency Peter Obi is a man whose record speaks for itself. I call on all our supporters at home and in the diaspora to vote the NDC in the 2027 general elections.
“Nigeria is a country with enormous potential but many young people no longer see a future in the country. Many workers today can hardly make ends meet on their wages. Injustice and unfairness continue to prevail and the rule of law is under serious threat while innocent lives continue to be lost in insecurity.
“The task ahead is challenging but with unity, strategy, intelligence and determination, we can overcome the obstacles before us and build a better future for our country,” Odoh added.
