- Former Anambra governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, rejected plans by the management of Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ihiala, to name a new administrative building after him.
- The school’s administrator, Rev. Fr. Chidiebere Ughaerumba, announced the proposal during Obi’s visit, citing his long-standing support for the institution.
- However, Obi firmly declined, saying he does not accept such honours, insisting that his contributions are purely to support humanity.
- He later donated ₦15 million to the school, emphasizing his belief that money should be used to improve health and education, not for self-glorification.
There was mild drama on Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ihiala, Anambra State, after management announced plans to name its new administrative block after former governor and presidential hopeful, Peter Obi.
The school’s administrator, Rev. Fr. Chidiebere Ughaerumba, said: “Considering your continued support to us, when the school’s administrative building (a five-floor edifice) is completed, we will name it after you. We thank you for always coming and always donating. You are always interested in helping to build humanity.”
When Obi protested, Ughaerumba replied: “Then we may have to consider naming it after your wife, but we need to appreciate what you have been doing here.”
Obi, however, rejected the offer, grabbing the microphone to say: “I’m against such plans. When I was governor, every community wanted to give me a chieftaincy title, but I rejected. Even the school where I passed through wanted to honour me with a honorary doctorate title. I was also given a national award and I said that would be after being governor. Even local government chairmen wanted to name a street against my name, but I said no.
“Any day I want to be addressed as doctor, I will go and read for a PhD. Whatever I need, God has always given me, so if there is anything one want to give me as favour, I suggest you look for anyone who wants it and give it to them.”
Obi, who donated ₦15 million to the college, added: “I can use the money I am giving to buy a new car for myself or throw a party, but I think it is better to use it to support you. It is an unpurposeful life for me if I use this money to throw a party, while a school somewhere needs just ₦10 million to buy a generating set.”
He explained that his donation was part of his yearly support for schools, saying: “Money is meant to be used to take care of what can make society better. The two most important things in life are health and education and that is what this school is providing.”
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