The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to the College of Nursing Sciences at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, Anambra State.
Obi, a former governor of the state, said the donation was to support the training of health workers, particularly nurses.
He said the visit to the health institution was part of his activities for World Sick Day.
“Although Sunday, February 11, marked World Sick Day, I postponed my comments due to the AFCON Finals and the unfortunate passing on of my dear friends, Herbert Wigwe and Abimbola Ogunbajo,” Obi said.
The businessman-cum-politician said his donation reflected his commitment to health worker training and the growth of the nation’s health sector — a crucial measure of societal development.
“My support for the College of Nursing, Ihiala, has been consistent since my tenure as Governor of Anambra State.
“I appreciate the College’s growth and its efforts in training over a thousand students in nursing, midwifery, and medical lab science. I thank the proprietor, management and staff for their dedication,” he said.
During his visit, Obi appealed to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to reconsider their “stringent” measures hindering nurses’ verifications for migration.
He said investing in more training institutions for healthcare professionals and supporting their global opportunities is essential for the nation’s benefit.
“Facilitating our nurses’ access to global opportunities not only provides international exposure but also generates substantial foreign remittances, surpassing our oil revenue.
“I call on the NMCN to reverse these measures promptly for the benefit of Nigerian nurses and our nation as a whole,” Obi said.