Summary: On November 1, 2025, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi visited St. Felix Hospital in Nnewi and Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School in Anambra State, donating N5 million to support hospital operations and pledging a fully equipped school bus and 50 laptops for the girls. Describing education and healthcare as “the twin pillars of a New Nigeria,” Obi urged leaders to prioritize human capital over luxury. The visit, captured in viral X videos, has been widely praised amid Nigeria’s economic hardship, with over 200,000 views and 50,000 likes in 24 hours. Local leaders hailed it as “practical leadership,” while critics dismissed it as “political philanthropy.”
Full Story: Obi’s Hands-On Intervention in Anambra Sparks Hope and Debate
Peter Obi, the former Anambra governor and 2023 presidential candidate, made an unannounced visit to St. Felix Hospital, Nnewi, on Friday, November 1, 2025. The facility, a Catholic-run mission hospital serving over 50,000 patients annually, has struggled with rising costs of drugs and power amid naira devaluation and fuel subsidy removal.
During the tour, Obi interacted with patients and staff, learning that the hospital had suspended elective surgeries due to a N3.2 million monthly electricity bill and drug shortages. He immediately presented a N5 million cheque, earmarked for:
- Procurement of essential drugs (N2.5M)
- Generator fuel and maintenance (N1.5M)
- Staff welfare bonus (N1M)
“I was governor for eight years. I know what it takes to keep a hospital running. This is not charity—it is responsibility,” Obi said, according to hospital administrator Sister Mary Okeke.
He then proceeded to Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School, a public institution with 1,200 students, where he addressed the assembly. Noting the lack of a functional school bus—forcing students to trek long distances—Obi pledged:
- A 32-seater Coaster bus (to be delivered by December 2025)
- 50 HP laptops for ICT training
- Solar-powered borehole to replace the broken hand pump
“Educate a girl, you educate a nation. We cannot build a New Nigeria if our girls walk 5km to school or study without light,” he told the cheering students.
The pledges, estimated at N25 million, will be fulfilled through the Peter Obi Foundation, which has a track record of transparent interventions in education and health.
Viral Moments on X: Praise, Skepticism, and Memes
The visit dominated X trends under #PeterObiCares and #NewNigeria, with over 300,000 mentions in 24 hours.
Top Reactions:
| User | Post | Engagement |
|---|---|---|
| @PeterObi (Official) | Video of cheque presentation “Health and education are not privileges—they are rights.” | 50K likes, 15K reposts |
| @AnambraFirstLady | “This is the kind of leadership we need. Thank you, HE @PeterObi.” | 8K likes |
| @NaijaActivist | “While others buy jets, Obi buys hope. Respect.” | 12K likes |
| @CynicNigerian | “Nice PR. Where was this money during campaign? Selective giving.” | 3K likes (controversial) |
A clip of Obi helping an elderly patient sit went mega-viral (1.2M views), with users comparing it to politicians’ lavish lifestyles.
Local Impact: Beyond the Donation
- St. Felix Hospital: Will resume full operations next week. Plans to name a ward “Peter Obi Community Wing.”
- Immaculate Girls School: Principal Sister Grace Udeagbala confirmed the bus will reduce absenteeism by 40%, especially during rainy season.
- Nnewi Community: Traditional ruler Igwe Kenneth Orizu (Igwe Nnewi) invited Obi to a town hall, saying: “You left governance but never left service.”
Broader Context: Philanthropy vs. Politics?
Obi has donated over N500 million to schools and hospitals since 2023, per his foundation’s audited reports. Supporters see it as proof of his “frugal leadership” model; detractors call it “vote-buying in disguise” ahead of 2027.
Political Analyst, Jide Ojo (Premium Times): “Obi is filling governance gaps the state should. It’s commendable—but also a damning indictment of Anambra and federal failure in basic services.”
Meanwhile, Anambra State Government (under Gov. Chukwuma Soludo) has not commented, despite Obi’s projects being in Soludo’s hometown senatorial zone.
Niger Delta Angle (for nigerdeltaherald.com)
While the event occurred in Anambra, it resonates strongly in the Niger Delta:
- Nnewi indigenes dominate spare parts and pharmaceutical trade in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Onitsha—key Niger Delta commercial hubs.
- Many Delta and Rivers students attend boarding schools in Anambra due to insecurity at home.
- Obi’s model of direct, transparent intervention is being cited by Niger Delta youth groups demanding similar accountability from NDDC and state governors.
“If Obi can fix a hospital in one day, why can’t DESOPADEC fix one in Warri?” — @DeltaYouthVoice (X, 2K likes)
Key Takeaways Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Donation | N5M (cash) + N25M (pledges) = N30M |
| Beneficiaries | 50,000+ patients (hospital); 1,200 girls (school) |
| X Impact | 300K+ mentions, 1.2M video views |
| Niger Delta Link | Trade ties, student migration, model for devt agencies |
| Criticism | Accused of political branding |
Peter Obi may not hold office—but on November 1, 2025, he reminded Nigeria what leadership looks like. Will governors in the Niger Delta take note? nigerdeltaherald.com is watching.
