In the 2023 presidential race, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate, demonstrated his commitment to healthcare by contributing N10 million during the foundation-laying ceremony of the Department of Midwifery and Public Health Nursing at the Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, affiliated with the Awka Anglican Communion in Anambra State.
It’s worth noting that Mr. Obi had previously made a generous donation of N40 million to the Faith Specialist Hospital, which is where the college is situated.
During his speech at the event, Peter Obi elucidated that his motivation for this contribution arises from his strong belief that healthcare is a fundamental developmental necessity for any society. He also encouraged support from institutions such as the church to foster growth in these crucial areas.
Obi explained that his motivation to provide assistance was rooted in the understanding that these facilities do not solely benefit the bishop and his priests but rather the entire populace of the state. He pledged his commitment to the project and even mentioned his intention to leverage his connections to secure funding from his friends.
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 when genuinely dedicated to serving the people.
In elucidating the significance of Obi’s contributions to society, the cleric, referring to him as “the builder of both individuals and institutions”, emphasised how his investments in education and healthcare dramatically transformed the landscape of these vital sectors within the state.
Also speaking, Obi’s former commissioner and chief of staff, Prof. Stella 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 revitalised. 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,” Prof. Okunna recalled.
