GOVERNOR OBI SPRING SUPRISE ,DOLE OUT Doles out over N.733 billion to mission schools

By Mazi Odera

Satisfied that his partnership with the Church for the rebuilding of infrastructure in Anambra State is yielding positive result, Governor Peter Obi yesterday presented cheques of .733 Billion naira to the Church to rehabilitate primary schools, taken over from them by the Government, which he returned in 2011. This was coming after he presented similar cheques worth billions of naira to them for the rehabilitation of secondary schools returned to them, as well as several health institutions owned by them.


At the presentation ceremony at Government House, the Anglican Church was represented by Archbishop Christian Efobi, while the Catholic Church was represented by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, who stood in for Archbishop Valerie Okeke, who travelled out of the country.


Speaking at the event, Governor Obi who continued to apologise for the takeover of the schools, said that what the State was doing, was trying to restore the schools to a pride of place for quality upbringing of the children of the State.


The Governor said that efforts to reposition the school system was not just restricted to rebuilding of structures. He disclosed that by the end of the year, more buses, computers, generators and internet facilities will be provided to schools in the State, both government, Church and privately owned.


Obi said he was happy that results of improvement in schools were being manifested. “Last year Anambra came first in NECO. This year Anambra was the best in Unity Schools with consequent jerking up of their cut off,” Obi said.


Speaking after receiving the cheque of N300 million for 300 Anglican primary schools, Archbishop Christian Efobi, referring to Governor Obi quoted the scripture: “When the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice”. He said the Churches were happy with the Governor over his assistances to the society through the Church, in all sectors, including health, education, environment, value-reorientation. “Today our secondary schools can boost of buses, we want to thank God because Obi is doing this because he has the fear of God, His Excellency's actions are commendable. He is a man that fears God, who has the interest of the people at heart,” Efobi said. He assured the Church would never fail and would continue to him and the State in prayers. He compare the Governor to Cornelius in the Bible in his fear for God and humility.

In his own remarks, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, who represented Archbishop Valerie Okeke thanked the Governor for the courage to return the schools and for the continued support to rehabilitate the schools. He said that only a foreigner would not acknowledge the positive change going on in Anambra. He reminded the Governor that he would have opposition, especially from those subsumed in the old order.


Speaking further, the cleric said he would personally, like Archbishop Tutu did in South Africa, personally led a revolt against anybody who would not continue the good work started by the Governor. He said he read all sort of rubbish on the INTERNET, of people questioning the money to Churches, and he would be ready to defend it anytime because the project the Church used money to execute were there for everybody to see. “With Obi, the difference is clear, from earmarking, we now eye mark projects in the State,” the Bishop concluded.


Representing Traditional Rulers, Igwe Rowland Odegbo of Nteje said that the good work of Governor Obi were being felt by evertybody, every community, every institution in Anambra State. He said the State needed somebody like him to continue the revolution he had started.


Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke thanked the Governor for his readiness at all times to work for the improvement of education in the State.