Education, healthcare key to building productive Nigeria—Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed that education and healthcare remain the most effective tools for national transformation, stressing that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable economic growth without making significant investments in its people.

Obi made the declaration on Saturday during the Maiden Convocation and Third Matriculation Ceremony of the Central Washington College (CWC) of Nursing Sciences and Health Technology in Enugu. He was represented at the event by Prof. Patrick Obi.

Speaking to graduates, students, academics, and stakeholders, Obi emphasized that nations that prioritize human capital development through quality education and accessible healthcare are better positioned to achieve economic prosperity and social stability.

He noted that Nigeria’s aspiration to move from a consumption-based economy to a productive economy can only be realized through deliberate investments in knowledge, skills acquisition, and healthcare delivery.

According to him, institutions of higher learning must go beyond awarding certificates and focus on producing graduates who possess critical thinking abilities, professional competence, integrity, and strong moral character.

“Education should not be limited to the acquisition of certificates. It must be a process that nurtures innovation, ethical leadership, discipline, and the capacity to solve societal challenges,” Obi stated.

He further stressed that universities, colleges, and technical institutions should serve as centres of innovation and excellence capable of producing graduates who can compete favorably in the global economy.

The former Anambra State governor warned that countries that fail to prioritize education and healthcare expose their citizens to deeper levels of poverty and underdevelopment.

He maintained that sustainable national development can only be achieved through consistent investment in human capacity development and knowledge-driven initiatives.

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The event marked a major milestone for the institution as it graduated its first set of healthcare professionals. A total of 236 students completed their programmes, comprising 200 graduates from the College of Nursing Sciences and 36 graduates from the College of Health Sciences.

The ceremony also witnessed the matriculation of 128 newly admitted students, including 65 students enrolled in Nursing Sciences and 63 admitted into Health Sciences and Technology programmes.

In his remarks, the President and Founder of the institution, Prof. Augustine Uchenna Akubue, reflected on the college’s remarkable growth since its establishment on November 3, 2020.

He disclosed that the institution has secured the necessary approvals from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and relevant professional regulatory bodies, strengthening its position as a leading institution for healthcare education and training.

Akubue expressed optimism about the future of the college, noting that the institution remains committed to producing highly skilled healthcare professionals equipped to meet both local and international standards.

Obi commended the management, faculty members, governing council, and staff of the college for their dedication to providing quality education and modern learning infrastructure. He described their efforts as critical to addressing the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals in Nigeria and beyond.

Addressing the pioneer graduating class, Obi urged the new healthcare professionals to remain committed to the values of compassion, competence, professionalism, and ethical conduct as they embark on their careers.

He reminded them that the healthcare profession carries enormous responsibility and called on them to use their knowledge and skills to improve lives and contribute positively to society.

The convocation ceremony was chaired by Chief Nnia Nwodo, while the Chairman of the Governing Board, Prof. Joseph Nwazi, delivered the keynote address.

The event was attended by the Provost of the college, Dr. Mrs. Veronica Chijioke Chiegeiro, alongside parents, guardians, distinguished guests, and stakeholders from the education and healthcare sectors.

Reaffirming his commitment to initiatives that promote education and healthcare development, Obi described investment in young people as the surest path to creating a prosperous, productive, and globally competitive Nigeria.

He maintained that the future of the country depends largely on the quality of education and healthcare available to its citizens, urging government, private sector actors, and development partners to prioritize both sectors as strategic pillars of national development.