Voluntary agencies critical to societal dev’t, Obi tells college old boys

Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections has reiterated the importance of voluntary agencies in development of critical sectors in our society.

Obi, in a statement on Tuesday by his Media Aide, Mr Michael Nwolisa, made this remark at an interaction at the National Conference of Old Boys Association of Nsukka High School, (Anglican Grammar School).

The former Anambra governor revealed how his partnership with the voluntary agencies, helped him to achieve integrated development in the state while serving as governor.

Obi noted the impact of voluntary agencies in the critical sectors of education, health, and poverty eradication when he was the governor of the state.

He explained that due to the government’s apparent neglect of these critical sectors across the country, many voluntary agencies had continued to fill the gap by providing educational and health services through schools and hospitals.

He stated that in the case of Anambra, he partnered with them in areas of education by not only handing over missionary schools back to their original owners but also funding such schools and investing aggressively in education in the state.

Obi said that by so doing, he was able to revive the then-comatose educational sector in the state.

“As the governor, I understood that Universal Basic Education in Nigeria is free, as stipulated by Nigerian law, so I ensured that all the schools, both state-owned and those of voluntary agencies offering basic education in Anambra, are supported by the government.

“The truth is that provision of education, at the basic level, is the duty of government, and the voluntary agencies must be commended for their support,” Obi said.

He commended the old boys for their efforts and support in maintaining a good standard of education in the school, while also urging them to do more.

He pointed out the need for concept of planned giving, through which the alumni of an institution could raise funds continuously for their school.

Obi assured that if adopted, it would help them realise enough funds to carry out projects in the school.

According to him, the planned giving is very easy considering that the school has many successful old boys.

He said that the school’s old boys included the Senator representing Enugu North, Sen. Okey Ezeah; the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Charles Igwe; and four former Secretaries to the state government.

He said the school had also produced several professors; high court judges; successful businessmen and captains of industries, like Chief Onyemauche Nnamani.

Obi, who pledged to participate in the planned giving, said that he was already doing it for so many schools.

Also speaking, the National President of Nsukka High School Old Boys Association, Chief Onyemauche Nnamani, appreciated Obi for making time to grace the national convention.

He said the old boys unanimously requested Obi’s esteemed presence in their convention because of how he had impacted the nation with his admirable leadership qualities.

The keynote address was delivered by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Federal Constituency.