- Donates N10m to nursing school
The Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has again condemned the federal government’s obvious financial recklessness and misplacement of priorities in funding allocation.
Obi condemned the continued allocation of public resources to non-essential areas of development.
The LP standard bearer condemned Nigeria’s poor and embarrassing position in the global average in school enrollment while expressing consternation over the government’s budget of N1 billion for the construction of hostels in 12 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, while N10 billion is allocated to the construction of parking lots and recreational facilities.
Writing on his X platform, the former Anambra State Governor said
“As Africa’s economic powerhouse, I am still concerned about our country’s fiscal indiscipline.
“Consider the situation in our education sector, where the global average for secondary school enrollment is more than 80%, but Nigeria’s is only 28%.”
“The global average for tertiary school enrollment is greater than 55%, while Nigeria has less than 15%.
“Our budget for National Assembly Car Parks is N6 billion. The National Assembly Recreational Facilities have a budget of N4 billion.
“The total amount approved for the construction of hostels in 12 tertiary institutions is N1 billion.
It is time to put an end to this financial indiscipline and embrace financial discipline by allocating resources to critical areas of human and national development.
In another development, the Head of Department of Nursing in Anambra State. Mrs. Mary-Michael Ezenwuba reports that Obi’s ongoing support for the School of Nursing in Adazi, both as Governor and as a private citizen, has propelled the school to world standards.
She spoke on Monday evening, when Mr. Obi paid a visit to the school and presented a cheque for N10 million in additional assistance.
Ezenwuba praised Obi’s dedication to the school, stating that it is now on track to become a world-class nursing school with his support.
“The college’s history would be incomplete without mentioning his contributions. These include: he donated two coaster buses and one 18-seater bus to the school; he constructed two-story administrative and academic buildings, as well as a two-story student hostel.”
Mrs. Ezenwuba continued, “With Obi’s assistance and the school’s efforts, the college is now a full-fledged college of Nursing Sciences that has scaled accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and now awards Ordinary and Higher National Diplomas in addition to professional Certificates by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.”
Pleading with Obi to bring more students to the college, the 2023 Presidential aspirant promised to continue his support to the school.
He described healthcare as the most important aspect of development, and no discussion of it could be complete without mentioning nurses and midwives.
Obi said, “I will return. We are investing in a brighter future. If we do not train our children, including Almajiris, they will pose a threat to us tomorrow. “I will return this year to support what you are doing,” he concluded.
The Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Pius Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, who accompanied Obi to the College, stated that Obi has been very helpful to society and the church since before he became Governor.
Bishop Ezeokafor stated that Obi has done so much for the church that he has yet to see an equal in that regard, and that even though he is no longer governor, he continues to do so.
He stated that Obi is the best candidate for the presidency of Nigeria and apologised on behalf of Nigerians who had their hopes dashed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following voting counting in last year’s election.
However, he believes that God is still at work. Obi was surrounded by enthusiastic students who freely approached him during the event.
