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Following a remark by the garulous Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, saying the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, lacks the capacity to lead Nigeria, a January 2014 video has emerged to counter this false narrative.
Wike, then the Supervising Minister of Education, under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, joined Obi while he was still governor of Anambra State to flag off the distribution of 25,000 computers and 450,000 generators to schools in Anambra State.
At the event, Obi also presented cheques totalling N525 million for the provision of sick bays in all the public and mission secondary schools, as well as the flag-off of more than 100 buses, making it a total of 550 buses shared among schools at the time.
Wike’s January 2014 visit to Anambra. Credit: thenigerianvoice.com
Speaking at the event, Wike said that not just Anambra, but the entire country should be proud of Obi and thus grateful to God for giving the country a person like him.
He said that he had been to Anambra four times and on each occasion, he had the opportunity of observing the wonderful work the Governor was doing and was able, at each coming, to learn something from the Governor.
Commending Obi’s innovation marked by the support to schools, he said the Federal Government would replicate the same in all the unity schools in the State.
Commending the relationship between Obi and the Federal Government, Nwike said that because of the him, President Jonthan always insisted that Anambra must be considered in all national projects, including being the first State for the laying of the foundation and commencement of the Boy-Child Special Vocational School, Uga, which the Minister, joined the Governor to Perform its ground- breaking yesterday at Uga.
He encouraged other Governors to emulate Obi, not just in his relationship with President Jonathan, but with other stakeholders in his State. “Each time I attend his events, I see the quality of attendance.
The Igwes are always there because of his humility and respect for them. You could notice that, unlike others, it is not a question of paid crowd,” Nwike said.
Wike said that, having witnessed how judiciously and constructively Obi used the Universal Basic Education Commission’s Funds, he had directed UBEC (Universal Basic Education Commission) to release all outstanding Anambra kobo still with them.
Evidence full ground. Wike with his own mouth praised Obi’s success in education as governor. https://t.co/2RjP0uK1r5 pic.twitter.com/du1wnaSIe9
In his own reaction, the then Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Suleman Dikko, expressed surprise at the high level of transformation in various schools in the State, which he noted was contrary to information and insinuation peddled in some quarters.
Dr Dikko said Obi’s initiative of sending funds directly to schools for projects should be emulated by other States to achieve maximum results, as the schools know what they want and are in a better position to apply the funds.
He assured that the State counterpart contribution to the commission would be released immediately and commended Obi for being responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.
Wike’s January 2014 visit to Anambra. Credit: thenigerianvoice.com
Speaking at the event, the then MD of Galaxy Backbone, Gerald Ilukwe, described what was taking place in Anambra as phenomenal.
He said that by massive deployment of computers with Internet facilities in all the schools in the State, Obi had one what no Government has been able to do in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said that the singular investment in education would take Anambra to unimaginable heights in no distant time.
