Otti to Partner Anokwuru in Establishing Geriatric Village as he Launches his Autobiography

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has pledged to partner Rev. Father Christian Anokwuru’s vision of establishing a Geriatric village to ensure that the project is realised and sustained.

The Governor made the pledge during the launch of a book entitled: “Nature and Nurture: Beyond Autobiography,” written by Rev. Father Christian Uche Anokwuru, his Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions.

Otti congratulated him on the book launch as well as his decision to deploy the proceeds from the launch to establish a Geriatric Village to improve the well-being and healthcare of the elderly.

“I want to congratulate Father Anokwuru for the courage, the resilience, and the hard work to complete the book.

“I can assure you that because you have also integrated a healthcare centre in the home, it’s already a success”

The governor directed the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix to work with the author and come up with a workable model that would lead to the partnership.

“So, I’m looking at a partnership whereby the government would engage with him (Father Anokwuru) and partly own this and support it financially.

“The details will have to be worked out at his own pleasure. But I believe that it is important that he remains in the centre of the village as a public-private partnership so that it will work.”

Also speaking, the Co-Chairman of the occasion and member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe encouraged all to support the project, describing it as an all-important project.

Former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, and the Chairman, Board of Greater Aba Development Authority, Ide John Udeagbala among others appreciated the passion of Father Anokwuru and his commitment to helping humanity and pledged their support to his initiative.

Earlier, the author of the book and Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Father Christian Anokwuru said that various events that happened to him shaped his life and helped him put them together in a book.

He pledged to use the proceeds of the book launch to build a Geriatric Village to cater for the well-being and healthcare needs of the aged.

Also, the Chairman, Back to the Hero’s Past Charity Organisation and Geriatric project, Professor Charles Chilekezi said that Father Anokwuru’s project “speaks directly to the heart of our society – the urgent and sacred duty of caring for our elderly.

He reassured that the entire proceeds would be channelled to the building of the geriatric village.

The event featured the unveiling of the book and prototype of the Geriatric Village by the Governor and other stakeholders, while Professor Mike Okoro the book’s reviewer.