Peter Obi donates ₦50m to Christ the King College, responds to Okpebholo’s criticism

Former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has donated ₦50 million to his alma mater, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, in support of infrastructural development and the advancement of quality education.

The donation, made on Thursday in collaboration with several other alumni of the prestigious institution, was presented to the school during a ceremony attended by clerical leaders, school authorities, students, and members of the Old Boys Association.

Speaking at the event, Obi underscored the importance of investing in education and expressed deep appreciation to CKC for laying the moral and academic foundation that shaped his life and those of many others.

“This school helped form the values I and many others still hold dear today—discipline, moral grounding, and academic excellence,” he said. “Supporting it is a way of giving back to the institution that helped shape who we are.”

Obi used the occasion to call on fellow CKC alumni, and Nigerians at large, to support their alma maters and educational institutions in their communities. According to him, “The burden of education should not rest solely on the government. If every Nigerian who has the means supports at least one school, our educational system will be far better than it is today.”

The Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, who received the donation on behalf of the school, praised Obi and his fellow contributors for their unwavering commitment to the development of education and society at large. He offered prayers for the donors and urged others to emulate their example.

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Also speaking, the Senior Prefect of the school, Master Ejike Ekene, expressed gratitude on behalf of the student body. He described Obi as a role model whose generosity and leadership continue to inspire generations of students.

In a related development, Obi used the platform to respond to comments made by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who recently criticized him for visiting Edo State without prior notice to the government.

Obi dismissed the criticism, stating that his visits to any part of the country were always guided by noble intentions and not political motives.

“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.

Addressing his recent trip to Benin City, which reportedly sparked the controversy, Obi said: “I went to Benin to invest in a better life for the people. 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, not politicise them.”

Obi reaffirmed his commitment to service, adding that he would not hesitate to return to any state—including Edo—if the aim was to promote healthcare, education, or other life-improving initiatives.