Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has marked his 65th birthday with a ₦10 million donation to St. Raphael’s Hospital in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In his statement on Sunday titled “Reflections on My 65th Birthday”, Obi said birthdays should be moments of gratitude, reflection and renewed commitment to serving humanity rather than occasions for lavish celebrations.
According to him, Nigeria’s current socio-economic realities make it inappropriate for excessive personal celebrations while millions of citizens continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, ill health and limited opportunities.
“Our nation is blessed with enormous human and natural resources, yet millions of our people continue to struggle with challenges that demand our collective attention,” Obi said.
“We cannot afford to celebrate ourselves excessively while many around us are burdened by poverty, ill health, unemployment, and limited opportunities.”
The former governor said he has always viewed birthdays as opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of others, adding that the greatest achievement in life is the difference one makes in society.
“As I reflected today, I came to a simple conclusion: the greatest celebration of life is not what we receive from others, but the lives we can touch positively,” he stated.
Obi said the philosophy has guided him throughout his career in business, the corporate sector and public service, including his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
He explained that instead of accepting expensive gifts or elaborate birthday celebrations, he has consistently encouraged well-wishers to channel such resources into projects that benefit the less privileged.
“Over the years, this philosophy has resulted in the building of schools, hostel blocks, support to schools, and other facilities that continue to benefit the less privileged,” he said.
To commemorate his 65th birthday, Obi said he began the day with a thanksgiving Mass in Onitsha before visiting St. Raphael’s Hospital, where he donated ₦10 million to support healthcare services.
“In furtherance of my belief that birthdays should be occasions for service rather than self-indulgence, I donated the sum of ₦10 million to support the hospital’s work of providing quality healthcare to the people,” he said.
Reflecting on his visit to the hospital, Obi said seeing patients receiving treatment reinforced his belief that leadership is about caring for the vulnerable.
“Some of those receiving care may not even have the financial means to settle their hospital bills, yet they deserve compassion, dignity, and access to quality healthcare,” he said.
He described hospitals and schools as critical investments for any nation, noting that while hospitals preserve lives, schools help shape the future.
“Hospitals and schools remain two of the greatest investments any society can make. A hospital preserves life; a school shapes the future. Supporting both is, therefore, not just an act of charity – it is an investment in humanity and in the future of our nation,” Obi added.