The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi Saturday said Government should not be involved in hospital and education management business.
He said this yesterday at the jubilee celebration of St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha.
Obi who was variously eulogized as the architect of the projects that were commissioned - ultra-modern School of Nursing and other projects- to commemorate the jubilee celebration, said that he decided to partner with the Church especially in education and health care delivery because the church was better at managing those institutions. Though he recognized the importance of government, but he said that Government role should best be supervisory. "I mean, look at the projects the hospital delivered in partnership with the Church. If it were entirely by the Government, I am sure today they will be in variation stage", Obi said.
In his sermon during the mass to mark the event, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha and the proprietor of the Hospital, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke traced the history of Jubilee celebration, said it was a time of freedom, celebration and turning of new leaf. He thanked all those that contributed to the building of the hospital, starting with the founder, Archbishop Charles Heerey. He particularly commended Mr. Peter Obi who, according to him, introduced a new vista in the partnership between Government and the Church. He thanked his successor for the promise to continue in Obi's footsteps.
In his own remarks, the Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Rev. Fr. Daniel Onuorah thanked all those that have continued to support the hospital. Attributing the success of the hospital to Archbishop Valerian's support and fertility in conceiving what should be done, he thanked Mr. Peter Obi for his good work in Anamba for which the hospital was a major beneficiary.
The high point of the event was the commissioning of the School of Nursing building by Gov. Willie Obiano who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Joe Azike and the laying of the foundation for the new ultra modern theater hall.
Awards were presented to many people that have supported the hospital, including the family of Justice Fred Anyaegbu that donated the land for the hospital and Mr. Peter Obi for "creating a massive partnership of the state Government with the hospital as the Gov. Others are Prof Linus Ilika, Prof. Stella Okunna, Mrs. Vivian Nwandu, Dr. Chike Akunyili, among others.
The former Gov. Peter Obi was accompanied by his former Commissioner, Prof Stella Chinyere Okunna and Mrs. Vivian Nwandu.
NOTE
1. Projects Obi executed in the Hospital are attached, the first is the School of Nursing that was commissioned. It also includes of the 3 life ambulances.
2. 3 Plaques are attached, one signifying that the foundation was laid by Obi, who also provided the finances; two signifying that Gov. Obiano commissioned it; and 3 signifying that the building was blessed by Archbishop Valerian Okeke. No order to remove any plaque to obliterate the footprints of Obi as Awka does today. A veritable lesson for Awka
2. 3 Plaques are attached, one signifying that the foundation was laid by Obi, who also provided the finances; two signifying that Gov. Obiano commissioned it; and 3 signifying that the building was blessed by Archbishop Valerian Okeke. No order to remove any plaque to obliterate the footprints of Obi as Awka does today. A veritable lesson for Awka
Caption for the picL-R Fr. Daniel Onuorah, Fr. Marius Obiagwu, Prof. Stella Okunna, Mr. Peter Obi, Archbishop Valerian Okeke, bishop Denis Chidi Isizoh, Fr. Patrick Omutah, Mrs. Vivian Nwandu and Fr. Boniface Okafor after the commissioning of the ultra modern building for the School of Nursing at St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha yesterday as part of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration of the Hospital.
