Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, visited the College of Nursing Sciences at St. Charles Borromeo Hospital in Onitsha over the weekend, where he donated ₦15 million to support the institution.
He stated that this gesture aligns with his long-standing commitment to education and healthcare, which he regards as the twin foundations of sustainable national development.
In his address to the management, staff, and students, Mr. Obi emphasized the crucial role that nurses and other health professionals play in sustaining the healthcare system.
He noted that strengthening training institutions is essential for improving service delivery and saving lives.
He encouraged students to pursue their studies with discipline, excellence, and a strong sense of service, despite the challenges facing the sector.
To illustrate the life-saving importance of nurses, Mr. Obi shared an incident he witnessed during a flight from Lagos to Asaba while en route to the nursing school.
He recounted how a woman on board suddenly began gasping for breath, creating panic among passengers.
Fortunately, a nurse on the flight calmly managed the situation, demonstrating the critical skills that nurses possess.
Mr. Obi also commented on healthcare delivery across nations, citing Indonesia’s achievement of over 95 percent medical insurance coverage, in stark contrast to Nigeria’s estimated coverage of only about five percent.
He noted that this disparity highlights what is achievable when countries make deliberate investments in healthcare and ensure access down to the village level.
He assured the students of his continued support for nursing schools and called on friends and well-meaning Nigerians to assist such institutions to the best of their abilities.
Commenting on global migration trends, he pointed out that despite visa restrictions in some countries, nurses remain exempt due to their high demand worldwide, underscoring the universal value of their profession.
The management of the College of Nursing Sciences expressed profound appreciation for the donation, describing it as timely and impactful.
In his remarks, Fr. Basil Ekwunife welcomed Mr. Obi and reminisced about his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, noting that his administration transformed the state through strategic investments in education, healthcare, and other sectors while commending his commitment to national progress.
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