By Ifeizu Joe
Former Anambra State Governor and Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi has said that investment in healthcare sector can help raise life expectancy in Nigeria.
Peter Obi who was at College of Nursing Sciences, Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday to make a donation to the college said Nigeria today was among the countries with the lowest life expectancy.
He however said that investing in the training of doctors and nurses and also equipping hospitals can help Nigerians live longer, bearing in mind that a country is only productive when its health sector is functioning well.
Obi who presented a cheque of N15million to the college also addressed the students, encouraging them to take their profession seriously.
He said: “By 2030, we will have a shortage of healthcare workers in Nigeria. Many healthcare workers are leaving Nigeria, but with support, we can train enough nurses and doctors to help Nigeria.
“Life expectancy today in Nigeria is about 55 years, it is among the lowest in the world, but I believe that with investments in healthcare sector, we can raise life expectancy in Nigeria.
“That is why I have been supporting the healthcare sector in Nigeria in my own little way by donating to hospitals and nursing colleges. We are here to support the Bishop (Ephraim Ikeazor) in our own little way, because we know how he started this college and what he has done to bring it to what it is today.
“You as nurses have a job to do, to better the healthcare sector. Don’t just accept that the country is messed up, but do your own part to make it better because everyone have to do their own part.
“I’m here because I consider you very important and I have to do this as my own way to support healthcare in Nigeria. Health is number one measurement of any society. The first measurement of life of any society is life expectancy, and some of us are aware that Nigeria has the least life expectancy in the world.”
Reacting to this, the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese and proprietor of the college, Bishop Ephraim ikeazor praised Obi for continuously coming back to donate to the college despite his contribution to its establishment when he was governor.
He said: “Obi’s style of politics is different. I have never seen a place where someone contested election and even after election he is going about still making donations as if it is campaign period. This is a man Nigeria will treasure for a long time.”
Obi also visited St Felix Catholic Hospital, Nnewi, where he made a donation of N5million, while also reiterating his call for investment in healthcare sector.
