I Refused Any Form of Gratuity or Pension as a Former Anambra Governor – Obi

By Praise Chinecherem

Labour party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi has reiterated that he is not desperate to become Nigerian President, but strongly committed to impacting the poor, especially at the grassroots.

Obi, who was speaking at the maiden edition of the Amautu Village Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Summit at Agulu, Anoacho Local Government decried attitude of some privileged individuals who live in affluence without considering the plight of the poor around them.

Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, confirmed he has only one building in Onitsha which he does not often use.

He said, “What I have is one house at a time. Nobody can point fingers at me and say that Peter Obi has a house in Abuja or Lagos.

“I worked as a Governor in Anambra State and I have no house in Awka or a piece of land given to me by government.

“Even since I left as Governor of Anambra State, government had not even bought a sachet of pure water to me because I refused any form of gratuity or pension as a former (Anambra) Governor because I don’t want them.”

Obi promised to refund the facilitator of the event, Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, the resources she spent in organizing the programme, noting that Mrs Maduagwu is doing a great work with the sickle cell patients in the community.

While urging privileged individuals in the society to always assist the poor around them without conditions, Obi assured the community that he would support their Health Centre project as soon as possible.

“I really commend Aisha and her team for putting the event together to assist the needy in the community. Since she had started phase one of the programme, I will be part of it.

Former Chaplin in Aso-Rock Abuja, Rev Williams Okoye, represented by his daughter, Joy Okoye, assured the community of his commitment in making a difference through impacting lives and encouraging development in the community.

Declaring the event open, Chairman and former Provost Federal College of Education, (Technical) Umunze, Prof Josephant Ogbuagu regretted existing politics of impunity in the country.

He noted that Obi has become a household name in Nigeria because of his philanthropic gesture which he said, had traversed length and breathe of the country without discrimination.

“Agulu as a community has every reason to always thank God for blessing them with Mr.Peter Obi who is indeed a great son of the community,” he said.

Guest Speaker and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Paul University, Prof Stella Okunna, described Obi as grassroots oriented person as well as global philanthropist.

She enjoined the community to always pray for God’s protection and safety over him as he moved around doing good all over the country.

Also speaking, Regent of Agulu Community, Chief Oliver Afamuefuna said the entire people of the community are proud of their illustrious son, Mr Obi,whom he said had impact in no small measure in the community and Nigeria at large.

Earlier, facilitator of the programme and Director, Sickle cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu,Aisha Edwards Maduagwu said the event was to celebrate significant milestone in the journey towards progress and prosperity.

She said they were empowering 50 beneficiaries of their own women and youths with cash and equipment as well as providing them with tools they needed to unlock their potential in pursuing their lofty dreams.

She thanked Mr Obi for his tireless efforts in promoting human capital development in the community, advising the beneficiaries to work towards contributing their quota to the growth and development of the community.

Some of the beneficiaries who smiled home with a brand new sewing machine, a set of clipper and a set of hair addressing equipment with cash, including Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Doris Nwafor and Onuike Uchenna thanked the event’s organizers and financiers for putting smile on their faces, especially amidst nation’s economic down turn.