The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has officially opened a new psychiatric hospital and an old people’s home in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area. The large facility, which has more than 400 beds, was built by the Seraphic Foundation, the charity arm of the Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, led by Evangelist Ebuka Obi.
During the opening ceremony, which took place on Friday, Governor Soludo praised Evangelist Obi for having the vision and determination to set up such an important project. He said the hospital and home fit perfectly into his own goals as governor and into the work his administration is doing to improve the lives of people in the state.
The governor explained that while some religious leaders focus mainly on enriching themselves, Evangelist Obi has chosen a different path by building a facility that will benefit the poor, the sick, and the elderly. According to Soludo, this is the true meaning of Christianity, not just preaching, but making real and positive changes in society.
Governor Soludo promised that his government would work hand in hand with the new hospital to keep it running smoothly. He announced that his administration would provide regular financial support to encourage the foundation to keep doing more. In addition, he pledged to supply the hospital with a transformer for electricity and to construct a proper access road leading to the facility.
He said:This is the kind of work government should do, but government cannot do everything alone. By building this hospital, Evangelist Obi has shown the true spirit of Christianity. He is asking all Christians: Who are you helping? Who are you lifting up? Christianity is not about words but about action. I am glad to partner with him so that together we can care for the less privileged and the vulnerable in our society. While we are alive on this earth, we must do God’s work. May Anambra continue to rise and succeed.
Before the event in Aguleri, Evangelist Obi had visited Governor Soludo at the Light House in Awka, where he was warmly received. The governor later joined him to officially open the hospital and old people’s home, in the presence of a very large crowd made up of Zion Ministry members and supporters from across Nigeria.
In his own speech, Evangelist Obi stressed that the program was not political. He explained that many politicians had asked him for a chance to speak at the event, but he refused, making it clear that the project was not linked to politics but to service to humanity.
Obi revealed that the psychiatric hospital would begin full operations the following month, providing free treatment to people in need. He said building such a place had always been his childhood dream. He also mentioned that the foundation had already built similar projects in some neighboring states and planned to extend the work to other parts of Nigeria.
Speaking about his vision, Evangelist Obi said:
In many parts of the world where I have traveled, I never saw mentally challenged people wandering on the streets. That gave me a dream that one day I would build a place to take care of such people in Nigeria. Now that dream has come true. This facility, which has seven buildings, can take up to 500 patients at once. And the good news is that everything is free. We will not allow mentally unstable people to keep suffering on the streets they will be brought here for proper medical care. This is my vision, and I thank God that it has been achieved in a short time.
He also praised Governor Soludo for receiving him earlier at the Light House in Awka, saying he was amazed by the place, which he described as a mini-city. He prayed for God’s blessings on the governor for his support.
The inauguration ceremony was filled with excitement, prayers, and thanksgiving as thousands of people gathered to celebrate what many described as a groundbreaking project. The event showed how faith, charity, and government can come together to change lives and give hope to the needy.
