By Valentine Amanze
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that the decision by his government to build a Permanent Orientation Camp in Anambra State for National Youth Service Corps at Mbaukwu/Umuawulu was because the site at Umunya then was owned by the Anglican Diocese of Onitsha.
He said that the church generously allowed the government to use the structures over the years.
Obi disclosed this during the service the Catholic Corps members held at their Umunya temporary site preparatory to moving to their permanent site.
The former governor was represented at the event by his then Commissioners for Youths and Sports, Dr. Edozie Alor, and that of Housing, Mr. Patrick Obi.
At the event, Alor recalled how Peter Obi called Patrick Obi and himself to a meeting and charged them to work towards securing and completing the permanent site for the Orientation camp, insisting that it was not good for the state to continue using the structures owned by a church. “This was how we set out to work”, Aroh said.
“We acquired the site at Mbaukwu/ Umuawulu, mapped it out, got the architectural drawings and necessary approvals, engaged the Chinese contractors building the Agulu Lake Hotel, paid them a mobilisation ees of over N400 million and set aside almost N600 million for its completion. The site ought to have been completed since, I am not in government and would not know what caused the delay, but we thank God that the movement to the new site has become feasible,” Aroh said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of “Maxime Optimum Ducem (Most Excellent Leader)”, by the Catholic Corps members to Mr. Peter Obi, for what the Chaplain, Fr. Clement Muozoba, described as “a recognition of his selfless and exemplary leadership.”
He described him as the “best Governor Nigeria has had.”