By Nna Anulumadu
Excitement filled the air at St. Charles Borromeo College of Nursing Sciences, Onitsha, on Monday, October 14, as former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, donated 10 million naira to support the college’s development.
In his remarks before presenting the cheque, Mr. Obi emphasized the importance of funding education in Nigeria, noting that a country’s wealth is no longer measured by its mineral resources, but by its investment in knowledge, education, and health. He highlighted the global demand for quality nurses and expressed his commitment to supporting institutions of higher learning.
Mr. Obi clarified that his donations were motivated by a desire to see Nigeria progress, rather than any political ambitions. He revealed that his support for the college would be an annual commitment.
His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha, represented by Very Rev. Fr. Basil Ekwunife, ( Vice Vice Chancellor, Onitsha Archdiocese and Coordinator Health Services, Onitsha Archdiocese ) praised Mr. Obi for his generosity and commitment to education. He noted that Mr. Obi had significantly contributed to various institutions in Anambra state. He recalled that Mr Obi has been one of greatest financier of the college from inception, disclosing that he donated generously towards the erection of the upstairs at the school. He also revealed that befitting structures one can see in various mission hospitals in the state including St Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, Iyienu hospital Ogidi etc today are the handwork of Mr Obi.
Obi he said is one of the persons practicalizing the motto of Archbishop Valerian Okeke “that I have come that they may have life and have it in fullness “.
Fr Ekwunife further poured encomiums on Mr Obi for always giving back to the society, revealing that earlier same day, Obi donated 50, million naira to Shanahan University Onitsha that was newly inaugurated and 10 million naira to Midwifery College, Holy Rosary Hospital waterside, Onitsha .
The College Provost, Mrs.Theresa Obi- Odunukwe in his remarks expressed unalloyed gratitude to Mr Obi for always being there for the college, positing that with his continuous assistance, the college will stop at nothing in producing best qualified nurses that can compete favourably with their counterpart worldwide.
The college administrator, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Nwanze, expressed gratitude to Mr. Obi for his unwavering support. Fr. Nwanze called on others to emulate Mr. Obi’s generosity, emphasizing that individual contributions, regardless of status or position, can create a more prosperous and harmonious society.
” Mr Peter Obi, has much desire for the betterment of his immediate society, and the society at large. He is living a life of generosity, not only that he is generous, he is also resourceful because the words of his mouth are educative to those who really wish to improve themselves. If you listen to him, you will perceive the passion of someone who really wants Nigeria to be at it’s very best. Knowing fully well that God has blessed Nigeria with rich human and natural resources. But, the problem is getting the knowledgeable people there, making more people knowledgeable in order to manage this God given talents and natural resources, for continued unbroken betterment of the citizens. I love listening to him and I love his way of doing things, because he is an encouragement to those who really mean well for themselves. We pray that God will continue to bless him, and protect him for accepting to be an instrument in God’s hand towards making sure that humanity benefited.”
