Governor Otti Unveils Plan for ₦5 Billion Geriatrics Village Partnership with ‘Back to the Hero’s Past Charity Organisation’, Commends Fr. Anokwuru’s Vision, Compassion, and Intellectual Legacy

In a move that underscores his administration’s commitment to inclusive social welfare and human dignity, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has announced plans for a strategic partnership between the state government and Back to the Hero’s Past Charity Organisation on the proposed ₦5 billion Geriatrics Village Project being championed by his Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru.

Governor Otti made the disclosure during the official launch of Rev. Fr. Anokwuru’s new book titled “Nature and Nurture: Beyond My Autobiography, Vol. 1” and the unveiling of the Geriatrics Village initiative, which held at the JAAC Building, Umuahia, amidst a distinguished gathering of dignitaries, academics, and community leaders.

According to Governor Otti, the Geriatrics Village project is conceived as a family-friendly community where elderly citizens can live with dignity, enjoy companionship, and access specialised healthcare. He emphasized that the initiative aligns perfectly with his administration’s social development agenda and pledged that the government would not allow the cleric to shoulder the burden alone.

“I don’t think, as a government, we should sit by and watch him do this alone, so I am looking at a partnership whereby the government would engage with him and partly own this and support it financially,” Governor Otti declared.

To actualize this commitment, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, to liaise directly with Rev. Fr. Anokwuru and develop a workable partnership model to ensure government participation in the project’s planning and execution.

Governor Otti further praised Rev. Fr. Anokwuru for his compassion, foresight, and unwavering concern for the welfare of the elderly. He noted that the inclusion of a hospital and health centre in the proposed village will serve as a refuge for aged citizens who are often neglected or isolated in their later years.

Describing the launch of the 554-page book as a testament to intellectual courage and resilience, the Governor lauded the priest’s scholarly accomplishment and dedication to community service. He also revealed that Rev. Fr. Anokwuru’s achievements have reignited his own passion for writing, inspiring him to revisit a personal book project he had earlier suspended following the death of his editor.

“With people like Father Anokwuru, I’ve now been encouraged to go back and look at it,” Governor Otti remarked.

In his address, the Chairman of Back to the Hero’s Past Charity Organisation (BATHEP), Prof. Charles Chilekezi, provided further insight into the Geriatrics Village blueprint. He stated that the facility valued at ₦1.5 billion would combine an old people’s home, residential housing, physiotherapy, recreational, and social service components to create an environment where the elderly would “live with dignity and not merely survive in hospitals.”

Prof. Chilekezi added that the Geriatrics Village aims to achieve total self-sustenance through large-scale agro-investments, with crops such as cassava, melon, and yams cultivated annually to support the less privileged. He assured that every donation received would be judiciously utilized for maximum societal impact.

Earlier, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, the visionary behind the initiative, explained that the Geriatrics Village proposed to be sited at Amuzu Ubakala will serve not only as a residential facility for the aged but also as a training institute for professional caregivers. The facility, he noted, will house a specialized hospital designed to address the unique health challenges faced by elderly persons, thereby reducing avoidable mortality among them.

Rev. Fr. Anokwuru further expressed gratitude to Governor Otti, acknowledging that his association with the Governor has profoundly enriched his understanding of governance and leadership. He also condemned the actions of the “opposition,” accusing them of attempting to undermine the genuine progress being recorded under the present administration under the guise of calling for accountability.

Adding his voice, Chief John Nwankwo, a nonagenarian who spoke at the event, applauded Rev. Fr. Anokwuru for his foresight in envisioning a safe haven for the elderly and commended Governor Otti for his transformative leadership. He urged the Governor to remain focused and undeterred by political distractions.

The event, which was co-chaired by the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, attracted several dignitaries including the Speaker of Abia State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Meruwa, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Chief Samson Uche Ogah, members of the clergy, members of Abia Arise, political appointees, Executive Chairmen, government functionaries and other notable Abians, who hailed the initiative as a visionary step toward restoring dignity and purpose to the twilight years of senior citizens.