In a heartwarming act of philanthropy and advocacy for rehabilitation through education, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, made an unannounced visit to the National Examinations Council (NECO) office in Awka today, personally presenting a cheque of ₦4,741,400 to cover examination fees and logistics for 148 inmates across four correctional centres in Anambra State.
The gesture fulfilled a pledge Obi made earlier this month after representatives of inmates from correctional facilities in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and Aguata approached him for assistance.
The inmates—50 from Awka, 36 from Onitsha, 25 from Nnewi, and 37 from Aguata—were at risk of being barred from completing their ongoing NECO examinations due to unpaid fees.
Staff at the NECO office, led by Anambra State Coordinator Mrs. Emilia Njoku, expressed astonishment at the surprise arrival of Obi’s convoy.
“We were initially curious about the vehicles, only to discover it was Mr. Obi himself, coming without any prior notice to present the cheque,” Njoku recounted.
Obi, accompanied by Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, explained that the intervention was inspired by his belief in education as a critical tool for inmate rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
He drew parallels to programs he observed during a recent visit to California State University, Sacramento, emphasizing that correctional centres should prioritize reform over mere punishment.
Adding to the initiative’s impact, the Nigerian Friendship Association in the USA, through its non-profit arm, contributed to the funding after learning of Obi’s pledge via social media—a testament to global support for such causes.
Following the cheque presentation, Obi proceeded to the Awka Correctional Centre, where he interacted directly with some beneficiaries, encouraging them to stay hopeful and use education as a pathway to personal transformation.
In a statement shared on his X account, Obi wrote: “Education remains central to rehabilitation… Together, through education, compassion, and strategic support, we can transform lives, restore hope, and build a society where every Nigerian has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
A new Nigeria is POssible.”The act has sparked widespread commendation online and in local media, highlighting ongoing discussions about prison reform and educational access for incarcerated individuals in Nigeria.
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