The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi on Sunday kicked off a week long donation exercise to educational and health institutions in Anambra State and beyond to mark his 65th birthday.
The exercise started with a visit to St. Raphael Hospital, Umueri, where he donated N10million to the management of the hospital to mark the occasion.
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, said that countries that fund their health and education sectors are better and more developed than those who do not.
“As you know, it is my tradition to support the health and education sector. Obi said: Today, on my birthday I am here to donate 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 know, when I was governor, I worked with the church, I supported them and I want to tell you that I will always support 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’m passionate about developing the education and health sector and it has been proven that countries that funded their education and health sectors 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 in a way of giving back to society as he marks his 65th birthday.
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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 learnt that the group later visited 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.
Additionally, Obi the Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been described as a man whose track records speaks him.
The NDC candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi Central Senatorial election, Prof Ifeanyi Odoh stated this during a town hall meeting in Abakaliki where he officially declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had acknowledged him as the party’s candidate for the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.
Prof. Odoh also urged all their supporters at home and in the diaspora to vote for the NDC in the 2027 general elections, saying 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 maximise its potentials for the good of their constituents.
He said his background as a professor of geosciences would enable 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 understands how to use it. It’s an opportunity we need to stop wasting. I am a geoscientist and I specialized 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 useful on committees dealing with education, natural resources, environment and related areas. At the age of 38, I became a professor, and I believe that my experience and professional background will enable me to make a meaningful contribution to legislative debates and policymaking.
“I have wide exposure outside Ebonyi State. “If I’m elected, I will not be a quiet 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 that he would represent the district well, citing his record as secretary to the Ebonyi State Government between 2015 and 2018.
He said his commitment to accountability made him voluntarily invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate his stewardship after leaving office.
“I was Secretary to Ebonyi State Government from May 2015 to April 2018 and as far as I know, I am the only public officer in Nigeria who voluntarily invited the EFCC to investigate his tenure after leaving office.
“I was fair to all during my time in government. So when I had the opportunity to hire qualified people, it was at the state and national level.
“I was working at Nnamdi Azikiwe University before I joined the government. When I got there 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 gone up to 52.
I am guided by principles and committed to the welfare of our people. The context of my departure from government in 2018 is well known. I thank the former governor who appointed me but we parted ways on grounds of principles. I bear no malice against anyone. “I just say what I think and follow my convictions and stay on my path,” he said.
“Our presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi is a man whose record speaks for itself. I urge all our supporters at home and in the diaspora to vote the NDC in the 2027 general elections.
“Nigeria is a country with enormous potentials but many young people do not see a future in the country. Many workers today can barely live on their wages. While innocent lives continue to be lost in insecurity, injustice and unfairness continue to prevail and the rule of law is under serious threat.
“The challenge ahead is daunting but with unity, strategy, intelligence and determination we can overcome the obstacles before us and build a better future for our country,” Odoh added.