The Present condition of Nigeria requires all hand to be on deck - Peter Obi

The former governor of Anambra State spoke while addressing a congregation at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anam­bra State on Thursday during the funeral Mass of his for­mer Commissioner of Health, Professor Linus Amobi Ilika, who died on Good Friday.

The burial Mass was pre­sided over by the childhood friend Ilika and Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Martins Uzukwu, with over 90 priests in attendance. Two former Deputy Governors, Mrs. Vir­gy Etiaba and Mr. Emeka Si­beudu, were also present and about nine former Commis­sioners led by Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna also graced the occasion.

Obi called for prayers for people in political offices to use public money for public good.

He stressed that Nigeria is collapsing and needs seri­ous prayers.

He expressed concerns over the indiffer­ence of some political office holders about the condition of things in Nigeria.

Obi said that the truth of the matter was that Nigeria was crumbling and yet those that should care carry on as if all is well.

He said, "The present condition of Nigeria requires all hand to be on deck. When I see the waste that still goes on among individuals as well as government officials, one is prompted to believe that we are yet to realise the depth of the rot, ranging from security challenges, dwindling econo┬¡my and lack of due attention to education.ÔÇØ

"Pray for our country be­cause it is collapsing. Your prayer point should be: those of us politicians to use public money for public good.

"We came into government without a single accredited health institution, but with the commitment of people like Ilika, we ended up with over 12 accredited health institutions.

"It was during his tenure that we revived the grant-in-aid to hospitals in the state. He was part of the building and completion of a teaching hospital for the state from scratch. He also played a part in the creation of a wonderful synergy between the Church-owned hospitals and the gov┬¡ernment.ÔÇØ