The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections and former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi, has donated the sum of N20 million to the Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Obi made the donation on Tuesday during a visit to the university’s teaching hospital, where he was warmly received by the management, staff, students, and the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga.
While addressing the gathering, Obi praised the Church and voluntary organisations for stepping in to provide social services that the government had failed to deliver.
“I thank the Church for the wonderful work they are doing everywhere. Let me assure you, I will be a supporter of this project. What you people are doing is what we are supposed to be doing in government. That is the job of government,” Obi said.
He expressed concern about the worsening levels of poverty and malnutrition in the country, citing reports from international agencies.
“If you look at what is happening now, the World Bank report this month showed that poverty is worsening in Nigeria. UNICEF shows that Nigeria is one of the countries with the most malnourished children because we have overtaken India in infant mortality. India is seven times our population. It is because we have abandoned governance. Governance in Nigeria is a crime scene. Instead of using the resources to do the right thing, we are using it to do the wrong thing, and the consequences are everywhere.”
Speaking to the medical and nursing students of the university, Obi urged them to take their studies seriously, noting that there is a growing global and national demand for healthcare workers.
“By 2030, the world is going to have a shortage of over 30 million nurses. So you are on the right course. You should take it seriously as something that the world needs. Nigeria already needs you. It may not seem like it today, but Nigeria needs about 1.2 million nurses; we have less than 200,000 registered today. So there is a huge demand. We need to have community hospitals, village hospitals. They are not working today because there is a shortage of manpower. So I thank you and urge you to be serious.”
On his part, Bishop Callistus Onaga of the Enugu Catholic Diocese commended Obi for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the poor and support for church-based initiatives.
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“I was afraid that this appointment today would not work given the epileptic nature of our airports and our flights, but you assured me that it would work, and here you are. We are praying for you. As I said, not everybody loves what is right. Not everybody loves trying to look into the plight of the poor. But you’ve done it.
“We are happy that you are here and that you are associating with us. God will continue to protect you. I know you will have a wonderful cooperator in our Vice Chancellor. This is not the only thing you are doing in Enugu. There are other hospitals you have helped, maybe you don’t even remember. What we are praying for is that your dream of Nigeria will come true. God will make it possible that someone who can handle that dream will be elected.
“We are not doing politics, but truth must be said. We will remember you in prayers. The students will continue to pray for you.”
Welcoming Obi to the institution, the Vice Chancellor of GOUNI, Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, highlighted Obi’s long-standing relationship with the university, describing him as a true friend and supporter.
“Your Excellency, your visit is part of the unbroken narrative of your continuous support of Godfrey Okoye University from the beginning of its existence as an approved university in the academic space of Nigerian universities. As Governor of Anambra State, you were the first Governor in Nigeria to identify with us. You not only visited us but also donated a bus popularly known in our university as the Peter Obi Bus. When students or staff request a bus, they say: ‘I want Peter Obi.’ As you can see, your name is on the lips of our staff and students.
“Apart from that, you have delivered a series of public lectures in our university, each time thrilling students and staff with your intellectual acuity and incredible historical, political, economic, and social insight. The last of such lectures was last year’s Justice Aniagolu Memorial Lecture.
“Your Excellency, when I informed you of the approval of our College of Medicine for Medicine and Surgery as well as Nursing, you assured me of your support. Little did I know that you still had it in mind, considering the thicket of duties around you. My Bishop informed me about your visit, which I followed up with a text message to you. You confirmed it, and today you are physically here.
“Finally, let me thank you for all your support and friendship. At some point, Godfrey Okoye University must reciprocate your generosity with a befitting academic recognition. You have done so much for this university and for these young future medical doctors and nurses. You have done so much for the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. We will always pray for you and support you in any way we can.”