Former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday, dismissed a statement attributed to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who reportedly stated that he must seek clearance before visiting the state.
Obi declared that he is not afraid of visiting any part of the country. Obi made the remarks in Onitsha during the presentation of a ₦50 million cheque to his alma mater, Christ the King College, in support of infrastructural development. The donation, made in collaboration with fellow Old Boys of the school, aims to improve educational facilities and learning conditions at the institution.
Founded in 1932, CKC has produced notable alumni, including former Rivers State Governor Dr Peter Odili, and two former Anambra governors — Peter Obi and Willie Obiano. Speaking at the event, Obi said: “I am not afraid of visiting any state in Nigeria, particularly when the purpose is to support causes that contribute to nation-building, such as education, health, and poverty alleviation.” He expressed disappointment that his recent visit to Benin was politicised, clarifying that the visit was strictly to support healthcare development in the state.
“I went to Benin to invest in a better life for the people. If they have good doctors and nurses, their lives will be better. What I expect the governor to do is to complement efforts aimed at improving society,” Obi added.
On the donation to CKC, Obi described the gesture as a show of gratitude to the institution that shaped the values of himself and many others.
“This school helped form the values I and many others still hold dear today — discipline, moral grounding, and academic excellence. Supporting it is a way of giving back,” he said. He called on other alumni of CKC and across the country to support their former schools, noting that the burden of educational development should not be left solely to the government.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the school, the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, also an Old Boy, commended Obi and others for their dedication to education and national development. He offered prayers and urged others to emulate their example. In his remarks, the school’s Senior Prefect, Ejike Ekene, described Obi as a role model and an inspiration to students, expressing deep appreciation for the generous support he had provided.
Leave feedback about this