Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, on Thursday donated N50 million to his former school, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, to support infrastructure development and enhance learning conditions.
Mr Obi visited the Catholic institution alongside other old boys of the school.
He described the donation as a gesture of gratitude to the institution that played a crucial role in shaping his early life and values.
“This school helped form the values I and many others still hold till today: the discipline, moral grounding, and academic excellence,” he said.
Founded in 1933, CKC Onitsha is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected secondary schools, known for producing prominent leaders and professionals across various sectors.
Obi graduated from the school in the late 1970s and is among its most distinguished alumni.
During the visit, Obi emphasised that the responsibility of funding education should not rest on government alone.
He urged fellow alumni of CKC and other institutions across the country to give back in whatever capacity they could to improve educational standards.
In a related development, Obi also used the platform to respond to recent comments by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, who questioned the former governor’s visit to Benin without what he described as “due permission.”
Obi dismissed the remarks, saying he did not need clearance to visit any part of Nigeria for causes that advance national development.
“I am not afraid of visiting any state in Nigeria, particularly when the purpose is to support causes that contribute to nation building, such as education, health, and poverty alleviation,” he said.
He explained that his visit to Benin was to support healthcare development and would not hesitate to return if necessary.
“If they have good doctors and nurses, life will be better for them. What I expect the governor to do is to complement efforts aimed at improving society,” Obi added.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the school, the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, praised Obi and other CKC alumni for their commitment to education and national progress. He prayed for continued blessings and urged other Nigerians in positions of influence to follow their example.
The school’s senior prefect, Ejike Ekene, also expressed appreciation on behalf of the student body, describing Obi as “a role model and inspiration” to young Nigerians.
