Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and Labor Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has revealed the reason why he donates funds to schools.
Tribune Online gathered that Obi, for years after his eight-year tenure in Anambra as governor, has been donating to schools, especially universities where health professionals are trained.
Donating the sum of N15 million to the College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Wednesday, Obi said he has dedicated his life to a purpose, and the purpose is to uplift humanity.
He said: “I believe that life should have a purpose and my own purpose is to support people as a way of uplifting humanity.
“I go around Nigeria supporting schools because it is fundamental for us. The main index of measuring life in the world today is life expectancy. We need to invest in health and nurses are the human capital we need for this investment.
“That’s why I donate in my own way. Today, life expectancy in Nigeria is 54 years, and it is one of the lowest that can be found anywhere in the world.”
Obi praised the owner of the university, the Rt. Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, saying he was one of the first people he approached when he became governor, to help obtain accreditation for the said universities.
“The bishop has done a lot in this school. When I became governor in 2006, no nursing school, medical laboratory or midwifery college was accredited.
“So I approached the church and begged them to help us in this area, and we supported them and today this place is very big.”
Obi also visited the Nursery and Primary School in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, which was razed by fire in December 2024.
The school principal, Comrade Eucharia Egwuonwu, who received Obi, lamented that the school had been abandoned since after the fire, leaving the children studying without shelter in adverse weather conditions.
He said many parents had withdrawn their children from school as a result of the incident.
However, Obi said he would facilitate the reconstruction of the school and said work would begin in January 2026, to provide children with a suitable place to learn.
Previously at the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Adazi Nnukwu, Acting Principal of the faculty, Mrs Okafor Chibugo thanks Obi for his continued zeal in donating to universities.
She said: “Your visit is a boost for us and will stimulate us in our activities and inspire us to dedication and hard work, as well as the students too. Thank you for always keeping our university in mind with your donations.”
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