Obi Wins Legend of True Leadership Award
Gov. Obi was today bestowed with the Legend of True Leadership Award by the National Association of Nigerian Student Nurses and Midwives.
Speaking during the ceremony that took place at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Midwifery yesterday, the National President of the association, Comrade Dauda Ahmed said the award was in recognition of his unmatchable efforts and contributions towards the provision of infrastructure in schools of Nursing and Midwifery in the State, both Government and missionary owned.
He said that apart from support to rebuilding of hospitals and the building of a brand new Teaching Hospital for the State, that the Governor had built or was building over 25 buildings in different schools of Nursing and Midwifery in the State. He named some of them as : School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nkpor; school of Nursing and Midwifery, St Joseph Hospital, Adazi- Nnukwu; Nursing and Midwifery, Iyienu; Nursing and Midwifery, Waterside, Onitsha; Nursing and Midwifery at our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala, among others. "as a result of all these assistance, these schools that all lost accreditation have all regained that", he said.
In his remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke said he was overwhelmed by Obi's exemplary approach to leadership and called on others in positions of leadership to emulate him. "In him I have seen one Nigerian leader that is not interested in himself. He thinks daily about the good of the people and that is demonstrated in what he does", the Bishop said.
Continuing, the Bishop said that Anambra State was experiencing gigantic development under Gov. Obi in all sectors, private and public. "Even beyond Nigeria, he thinks about humanity. Soon after the earthquake at Haiti in 2010, he travelled to the country, came back, rallied his friends and raised $200,000 dollars, which he sent to them recently. His live is an inspiring example of how to live the Gospel in public service".
In her own speech, the Principal of the School, Rev Sr. Dr. Lauretta Nkem Madu said the Governor richly deserved the award for introducing credibility and character in governance. He described the Governor as a model that champion every right course towards restoring sanity to Nigerian politics.
Describing him as "The gift of our time", he prayed to God to give Nigeria leaders as humane and compassionate as the Governor. He revealed that he had committed over two hundred and fifty million Naira to their school as he has done for other schools.
Responding, the Governor said that he saw the award as a challenge to do better.
Highlights of the event was the receipt of the award, the presentation of the cheque of additional N20 Million Naira to the school for ongoing projects and the laying of the foundation for the building for the School of Medical Laboratory.