There was drama at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Midwifery in Ihiala, Anambra State, on Thursday when the college management announced plans to name its new administrative building after former governor of Anambra State and presidential hopeful, Mr. Peter Obi.
The announcement came during Obi’s visit to the institution, where he had come to donate funds to support its growth. The college administrator, Rev. Fr. Chidiebere Ughaerumba, said the decision was in recognition of Obi’s continuous support for the school since his tenure as governor.
“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,” Ughaerumba said.
Obi, however, immediately protested the plan. When Ughaerumba suggested that the building could instead be named after Obi’s wife, he firmly rejected the offer. Snatching the microphone, Obi addressed the audience, emphasizing that he had no interest in having buildings or titles named after him or his family.
“I am against such plans. When I was governor, every community wanted to give me a chieftaincy title, but I rejected. Even the school where I studied wanted to honour me with an honorary doctorate. I was also given a national award after being governor. Even local government chairmen wanted to name streets after me, but I said no,” Obi said.
He added, “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. If there is anything one wants to give me as favour, I suggest you look for someone else who wants it and give it to them.”
Obi also spoke about the purpose of his donations, explaining that he prioritizes supporting education and healthcare over personal gain. “This week alone I have been to five schools and donated between N5 million and N15 million each. I could use the money to buy a new car for myself or throw a party, but it is better to support schools. It would be an unpurposeful life for me to use this money on myself while a school somewhere needs just N10 million to buy a generator,” he said.
Despite rejecting the naming honour, Obi presented a cheque of N15 million to the college, reiterating his commitment to supporting health and educational institutions as part of his contribution to humanity.
“I came to see what the bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas-Benson Okoye, is doing in the new cathedral in Nnewi. After that, I decided to visit your school to see its growth and support you. Money should 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. Today, I am here for my annual routine visit where I present cheques to schools,” Obi explained.
The visit drew the attention and admiration of students, staff, and local community members, who applauded Obi’s humility and dedication to philanthropy. Many noted that while political figures often seek recognition for their contributions, Obi’s approach emphasizes genuine service and the long-term benefit of institutions rather than personal accolades.
Obi’s interaction with the students included encouraging them to work hard, value education, and commit to serving their communities. “Education and health are the pillars of societal development. If we strengthen these areas, we are building a stronger nation,” he told the students.
The college management expressed gratitude for Obi’s ongoing support and emphasized that his contributions have significantly impacted the institution’s development. “We are grateful for his generosity and for always thinking of the welfare of our students and staff,” Ughaerumba said.
Obi left the school promising to continue supporting educational and health institutions, stressing that the focus should always remain on improving the lives of others rather than seeking personal recognition.
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