Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC) for 2027 election, Peter Obi, has marked his 65th birthday with a ₦10 million donation to St. Raphael’s Hospital, Umueri, in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, saying birthdays should be occasions for service rather than lavish celebrations.
In a reflection issued on Sunday to commemorate his birthday, Obi said attaining the milestone called for gratitude to God, sober introspection and a renewed commitment to improving the lives of others.
According to him, Nigeria’s current socio-economic realities make extravagant celebrations inappropriate at a time when millions of citizens continue to battle poverty, unemployment, poor healthcare 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. We cannot afford to celebrate ourselves excessively while many around us are burdened by poverty, ill health, unemployment and limited opportunities,” he said.
Obi noted that he had always viewed birthdays as opportunities for thanksgiving and renewed dedication to humanitarian service, stressing that the true measure of a fulfilled life lies in the positive impact made on others.
“The greatest celebration of life is not what we receive from others, but the lives we can touch positively,” he stated.
The former governor said the philosophy had shaped his years in business, the corporate world and public service, explaining that he had consistently encouraged friends and supporters to channel resources meant for expensive gifts into projects that benefit society.
He said the approach had over the years led to the construction of schools, hostel blocks and support for educational institutions, among other interventions aimed at improving the lives of the less privileged.
To mark his birthday, Obi said he attended a Mass of Thanksgiving in Onitsha before visiting St. Raphael’s Hospital in Umueri, where he presented a ₦10 million donation to support healthcare services.
He said the visit reinforced his belief that leadership is fundamentally about caring for the vulnerable and those unable to fend for themselves.
“As I was conducted around the hospital and saw patients in their moments of vulnerability, I was reminded again of our shared humanity. 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.
Obi described hospitals and schools as the most critical investments any nation can make, saying while hospitals preserve lives, schools prepare future generations.
He pledged to continue supporting initiatives that improve education, healthcare and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, maintaining that selfless leadership and investment in human development remain essential to building a more prosperous nation.