Peter Obi has expressed his thanks to Hyacinth Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, for the “warm welcome” he received on his visit to the State.
The 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said, the Governor’s gesture illustrates “true essence of statesmanship”.
On X, the former Governor of Anambra State praised Most Rev. Father William Avenya, Catholic Bishop of Gboko, for his “steadfast” commitment to education.
Obi made known, he pledged “₦10 million” to enhance the operations of the College of Nursing Sciences, established under the leadership of the Bishop.
“I particularly commend the Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. Father William Avenya, for his steadfast dedication to education. During my visit to the College of Nursing Sciences established under his leadership, an institution I have supported since its inception, I pledged an additional ₦10 million to help strengthen its operations”, Obi posted.
He said, any support given to “education and healthcare is an investment in our collective future”.
At Yelwata, a community in the North Central State affected by killings, Obi showed “solidarity” with those affected by the “tragic massacre”, describing the experience suffered by the families as “profoundly distressing”.
To tackle some of the community’s “immediate needs”, Obi made a commitment of “₦5 million”, which will be used to construct a borehole to ensure the people have access to clean water.
The former African Democratic Congress (ADC) member went ahead to make a donation of “₦10 million” to help children who have been orphaned by the massacre with their education.
Obi said: “We then proceeded to Yelwata, where we stood in solidarity with the people and families affected by the tragic massacre. The pain endured by these families, especially the children who lost their parents, is profoundly distressing.
“To address some of their immediate needs, I committed ₦5 million for the construction of a borehole to improve access to clean water, as well as ₦10 million to support the education of children orphaned by the massacre.”
Obi made the trip to Benue State alongside his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other candidates of the NDC.
He alongside Kwankwaso held a town hall meeting with the people, with the aim to “hear directly from our people, gain a clearer understanding of their concerns, and consider practical responses to the challenges facing our communities and nation”.
Obi opined, there is the need to increase investment in “education, healthcare, security, and human development”; he said, the “goal must be to build a country in which every Nigerian, regardless of personal circumstances or place of birth, can live with dignity and realize their full potential”.
He said, by welcoming him to the ‘Food Basket Of The Nation’, Governor Alia has placed “humanity above political differences”.
Obi said: “I would like to express my appreciation to the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. Before my visit, I sent him a message, and he personally returned my call to assure me that I would receive a warm welcome in the state.
“This exemplifies the true essence of statesmanship: placing humanity and mutual respect above political differences.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Benue State for their warm reception and hospitality. May God continue to bless Benue State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
