NIMO, April 11, 2025 – The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, today officially inaugurated the new board of Nimo General Hospital in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, marking a significant step toward revitalizing the health facility. The ceremony, held at the hospital premises, also saw the handover of N35,730,817 in funds to the new board, a balance from a previous government donation, augmented by accrued interest. Bishop Ezeokafor emphasized the church’s commitment to service, noting that the diocese’s mission is to restore the hospital’s functionality for the benefit of the Nimo community.
In his address, Bishop Ezeokafor recounted the history of the hospital’s management under the Catholic Diocese of Awka, initiated during the administration of former Anambra State Governor, His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi. In 2012, Obi handed over the hospital’s management to the diocese and donated N50 million for its rehabilitation. The diocese undertook significant projects, including reroofing and ceiling of the Out-Patient Department (OPD)/Administrative complex and maternity block, constructing a doctor’s lodge and security house, fencing parts of the compound, refurbishing a lister generator, revitalizing a borehole, upgrading the hospital fence, and reconstructing the laboratory block, which remains incomplete. These efforts consumed N24,500,000, leaving a balance of N25,500,000, which was invested and yielded N10,230,817 in interest, bringing the total to N35,730,817 now handed over to the new board.
The bishop highlighted challenges that led to the diocese’s withdrawal from the hospital’s management in 2018, citing disturbances from some community elements that disrupted operations. Despite this, he expressed optimism about the hospital’s future, urging the Nimo community, its leaders, and prominent individuals to invest in its revitalization. “It is our wish that this fund kick-starts a new phase of revitalizing this hospital,” Bishop Ezeokafor said, adding, “We are confident that the good people of Nimo will join hands to uplift this hospital again.” He thanked the community for entrusting the hospital back to the church and clarified that the diocese’s involvement is service-driven, not proprietary, as the church already manages several hospitals.
The President-General of Nimo Town Development Union, Engineer Zeelunjo Anakpe, commended the Catholic Church’s integrity in preserving and growing the initial funds, noting the accrued interest as a testament to prudent management. He appealed for subsidized hospital charges to ensure affordability for the less privileged and pledged to work with the traditional ruler, Igwe Maximus Ike Oliobi, to rally Nimo’s illustrious sons and daughters to support the hospital’s development. “We will strive to transform this hospital into a state-of-the-art facility,” Engr. Anakpe assured, emphasizing community collaboration to achieve this goal.
Igwe Maximus Ike Oliobi, the Owelle of Nimo, expressed gratitude to the diocese for resuming management and urged the church to elevate Nimo General Hospital to the standard of other church-managed facilities, such as St. Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu. He committed to renovating and re-equipping a hospital block he had previously built in memory of his late brother and promised to mobilize other community leaders to contribute to the hospital’s growth. “This hospital must serve our people with excellence,” Igwe Oliobi stated, reinforcing his dedication to its revival.
A prominent Nimo native Mr. Paul Chidozie offered to construct a toilet facility specifically for elderly patients, further demonstrating community support. The donor joined others in praising the church’s efforts and expressed hope that the hospital would regain its past vibrancy. This gesture underscored the collective resolve among Nimo residents to see the hospital thrive as a critical healthcare provider in the region.
The newly inaugurated board chairman, who also manages St. Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu, assured attendees that his team would replicate the successes achieved at Adazi in Nimo. “We bring experience and commitment to ensure Nimo General Hospital becomes a beacon of quality healthcare,” he said in his acceptance speech. The inauguration concluded with prayers and goodwill messages, as stakeholders expressed renewed hope for the hospital’s future under the diocese’s management and the new board’s leadership.
