Obi: Nigeria Can Build Good Schools if Wealthy People Support their Alma Mater

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on wealthy Nigerians to donate to their alma mater.

Obi said Nigeria can build great educational institutions if wealthy people who have passed through institutions in Nigeria can support them.

The former governor stated this yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, during a visit to St John of God Secondary School, to make financial donations to them.

Obi, who presented a cheque of N15 million to the school, said it was a donation from a former student of the school who he met in the United States, during one of his visits.

He said: “I was in the country for an engagement, but a good friend of mine who is a renowned surgeon in that country told me he cannot pick me up at the airport because he had several surgeries to perform. He said he will send his wife to pick me.

“When she came, we were discussing while driving home, and I asked her where she schooled and she mentioned St John of God Secondary School. I asked her what she has done for the school since she left and she said nothing. She graduated from here in 1979, and that since she came to US, she has not visited the school.

“I told her of the need to give back, and she said she can start small. She gave me the sum of N15 million to give to you. He name is Mrs Bridget Egodi Akigwe. I suggest that the school writes her a letter thanking her, and I’m sure she is ready to do more.

“If we all support the institutions where we studied, we can help them become great. As for you students, I want to admonish you to be studious in your education because if you do, you will be greater than us, and you will stand before people you only dreamt of.”

Obi also donated N10million of his personal resources to proposed College of Nursing Sciences, Awka, an institution being built by the Catholic Diocese of Awka.

While making the donation  Obi said: “Health is the foundation from where nations are built.  When the people are healthy, they can be productive. That is why we are supporting you to establish the institution.”

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rt Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, who was on hand to receive the cheque, commended  Obi for committing his personal resources to development of health institutions.

He said: “You have continued to show regular and constant support to hospitals and health colleges. When we started talking about establishing School of Nursing Sciences, you showed interest and you have done it again and we assure you that by the time you come next time you will see us in full speed.

“We know that what you are giving us is from your personal pocket because you are no longer in government. This is your personal money and you have kept giving. God will bless you.”