By Precious Mark
Former Anambra State Governor and Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Sunday, marked his 65th birthday by shunning elaborate public celebrations, choosing instead to reflect on the state of the nation and donate N10 million to a hospital in Anambra State.
Obi, who kicked off the milestone with a Mass of Thanksgiving in Onitsha, subsequently visited St. Raphael’s Hospital in Umueri, located within the Anambra East Local Government Area, where he presented the multi-million naira intervention to support quality healthcare for the less privileged.
Reflecting on his milestone, the former Governor noted that Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges make excessive self-celebration inappropriate, urging leaders to redirect personal resources toward national development.
“Our nation is blessed with enormous human and natural resources, yet millions of our people continue to struggle with challenges that demand our collective attention.”
“We cannot afford to celebrate ourselves excessively while many around us are burdened by poverty, ill health, unemployment, and limited opportunities. Rather, occasions such as this should remind us of our responsibility to contribute towards building a nation where future generations can genuinely celebrate,” Obi said.
He explained that throughout his career in the corporate world and as governor, he has firmly maintained the conviction that the highest honor in life comes from service rather than personal comfort.
“Whenever people or institutions sought to celebrate me with expensive gifts or elaborate ceremonies, I encouraged them instead to redirect those resources towards projects that would have a lasting impact,” he added.
During his tour of the rural facility, Obi observed the vulnerabilities of patients struggling to settle medical bills and reaffirmed his stance that healthcare and education remain the twin pillars of any meaningful societal development.
“Hospitals and schools remain two of the greatest investments any society can make. A hospital preserves life; a school shapes the future. Supporting both is, therefore, not just an act of charity, it is an investment in humanity and in the future of our nation,” Obi concluded.