Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, has donated N100 million to Bishop Shanahan Specialist Hospital Nsukka (BSSHN) to upgrade its School of Nursing and Midwifery to a College.
BSSHN is a missionary hospital owned and managed by Nsukka Catholic Diocese.
Obi made the donation in Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on Tuesday when he paid a visit to Shanahan School of Nursing and Midwifery.
He said nurses and midwifes remained the foundation of primary healthcare in any country.
“Nurses and midwifes are very fundamental in our primary healthcare and entire health sector.
“If they are equipped and well trained, infant and maternal mortality will be reduced to the barest minimum.
“Investment on health sector is investment on health of humanity,” he said.
Obi said that his visit was as a result of phone call conversation he had with the Administrator of BSSHN, Rev Fr. Greg Onah, who solicited for help to enable the hospital to upgrade its school of nursing and midwifery to a college.
“The N100 million I donated today is to ensure that the school is upgraded to a College of Nursing and Midwifery from now to 2023,” he said.
The Peoples Democratic Party Vice-presidential candidate in 2019 general elections urged Bishop Godfrey Onah of Nsukka Catholic Diocese and other church leaders to continue to pray for the country.
“The church should continue to pray for Nigeria especially now the country is facing serious security challenges,” he said.
In a remark, Onah thanked Obi for his generosity and assured him of judicious use of the amount.
“We will continue to appreciate your kindness to Nsukka Catholic Diocese right from the time you were governor of Anambra State until now.
”Obi is one of Nigeria’s former governors and politicians who have maintained the integrity and passion to help the society.
“This is not the first time he is donating to the diocese. The Coaster bus we are using today in school was also donated by Obi when he was governor of Anambra.
“I urge Obi to continue to develop and invest on humanity,” he said.
Speaking also, Rev. Fr. Mellitus Ossai, Chairman Diocesan Hospitals’ Management Board, thanked Obi for the donation which he said would move the school of nursing and midwifery to the next level.
Ossia assured the former governor that the money donated would be channeled for the purpose it was meant.
“I assure you that the money will be used for the purpose of upgrading the school of nursing and midwifery to a college status.
“Silver and gold we have none to give you back but we will continue to remember you in our prayers,” he said.
Earlier, the Administrator of the hospital thanked Obi for the visit and the donation.
“I called him on phone recently and sought for his assistance to enable the hospital’s School of Nursing and Midwifery to be upgraded to a college.
“It was just a phone call where I told the former governor that we needed about N75 million to N100 million to upgrade to a college.
“Today, he has surprised us with a visit and donation of N100 million. My prayer is that God will reward him abundantly,” he said.
