A catholic priest, Christian Anokwuru, has unveiled his plan to build a N5 billion charity home during a public presentation of his new book in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
The special adviser to the governor on policies and interventions is championing the project through his non-governmental organisation, Back to the Hero’s Past Charity Organisation.
At the event on Friday, Governor Alex Otti said the government would partner the organisation to realise the proposed project tagged “Geriatrics Village Project”.
”We wouldn’t sit by and watch him do this alone, I’m looking at a partnership whereby the government would engage with him and partly own this and support it financially,” he said.
The governor noted that the integration of a hospital and health centre within the village would serve as a refuge for aged citizens who often face neglect and loneliness in their later years.
He lauded the adviser for authoring the book entitled “Nature and Nurture: Beyond My Autobiography, Vol. 1” which he described as a product of resilience, hard work, and sacrifice.
In an address, the chairman of the organisation, Charles Chikezie explained that the village will aspire to achieve total self-sustenance by investing in large-scale agro-investment activities.
Contributing, a nonagenarian, John Nwankwo, expressed gratitude to the reverend father for envisioning the project and commended Otti for his remarkable achievements.
Earlier in a welcome address, the reverend father said the project is designed to serve not just as a hostel for the elderly but also an institution of training for professional caregivers.
Anokwuru, who explained that it will be sited at Amuzu Ubakala in Umuahia local government area, added that his association with the governor had greatly enriched his life.
