Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has donated a cheque of N5 million given to him by Fidelity Bank Plc in commemoration of his 53rd birthday to Holy Name Secondary School, Umuchu.

He presented the cheque yesterday to the owner of the school, the Catholic Diocese of Awka led by the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor in the premises of the school at Umuchu.

Obi said that part of his mission since leaving office was to solicit funds from organisations and his friends to assist missionary-owned schools and the poor through support to churches in the state to start a faith-based revolving micro credit scheme.

He thanked Fidelity Bank for the gift and for respecting his wish that rather than place adverts for him, organisations and friends should use the money to assist the poor or give to him to donate to schools and the poor.

Obi disclosed that one of his greatest joys as a former governor was the revamping of education in the state through the return of schools to their missionary owners. He said that he was encouraged to continue assisting the church because of the successes recorded so far.

Asked about the alleged mushrooming of magic centres in the state, Obi said that his government tackled the issue and that good results coming out from the state were from known schools such as Government Colleges, Queen of the Rosary, Christ the King College, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Austica College, Fr. Tansi International College, among others and should not be linked to any magic centre.

“In any case, the person credited with the statement has since said that she was misquoted. With that, I think the matter is closed,” Obi stated.

Speaking after receiving the cheque, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor said that Obi represented genuine and honest commitment to humanity. He concluded that his life style has remained consistent. He prayed to God to continue to give the country a leader like him at all times.

•Photo shows former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (middle), presenting a cheque of N5m to the Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor (2nd right), for development projects at Holy Name Secondary School, Umuchu. With them are Fr. Clifford Aniefuna (1st right); the Manager of the School, Fr. Clemet Ezeka (2nd left); and the Senior Prefect, Chinecherem (2nd right).