The former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has politely declined a proposal to have a magnificent hall at Shanahan College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka, named after him.
Speaking after presenting a cheque of ₦20 million to support the institution’s ongoing infrastructural development on Friday, the school’s manager, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Caesar, informed the audience that the hall where the event was held was being solely funded by Obi and would be named in his honor.
In a swift response, Obi declined the gesture, explaining that he was building similar structures in over 50 institutions across Nigeria and that it would be inappropriate for all of them to bear his name.
He further emphasized that his contributions to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation were driven by a deep commitment to securing a better future for Nigerian children. He cautioned that philanthropy should not be motivated by the desire for recognition but by a genuine urge to serve humanity.
In his words: “I do it to serve humanity. The reason God blesses us with resources is so we can use them to improve the lives of others and not for self-glorification.”
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Obi also reiterated his passion for supporting medical and allied disciplines, stressing their critical role in society. He noted that the cheque presented was part of his commitment from the previous year and assured the school of his continued support this year. “I will return,” he concluded.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Onah, who is currently leading a retreat for the clergy of the Diocese of Bamenda, Cameroon, spoke through his representative, Rev. Fr. Dr. Miletus Ossai, the Coordinator of the Diocesan Health Services. He described Obi as a symbol of integrity and honor, commending his commitment to human capital development, which he identified as the most critical need for a thriving society.
