Former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has donated ₦15 million to the Dental Students Association of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as part of efforts to support their ongoing re-accreditation process.
Obi disclosed this in a public statement on Friday, noting that earlier in the week, he received a letter from the association, appealing for urgent intervention to upgrade their laboratory and scale up the department’s graduation and induction quota. The total funding required for the upgrade is estimated at ₦40 million.
Out of respect for the national mourning period following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Obi said he delayed making any public statement. However, with the mourning period over, he felt it necessary to act swiftly.
“Today, I visited, because we cannot, in good conscience, continue to allow our young people to suffer due to leadership failure,” he stated.
He emphasised that the donation reflects his unwavering commitment to the advancement of education and healthcare in Nigeria.
“I made a modest donation of ₦15 million to the University of Nigeria Dental Students Association to assist in their continuous education as students of the medical and dental department of the school,” he said.
Obi expressed concern over the misplaced priorities of Nigerian leadership, lamenting how critical sectors like education and healthcare are neglected while public officials spend extravagantly on luxury.
“I continue to question the kind of country we are building, where our leaders and public servants spend millions on luxury cars and ignore critical areas of development, health, education, and pulling people out of poverty. It is a tragedy of misplaced priorities,” he said.
“When we fail to prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, but invest billions in conference centres and bus parks, we betray our youth and undermine the future of our dear nation,” Obi added.
He reiterated his belief that Nigeria can chart a new course by investing in the future of its youth.
“A New Nigeria is Possible,” he concluded.