Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has explained why he has decided to shun the state capital Awka since he left office on March 17 this year.

Speaking this morning during the commissioning of the Prayer Ground he built at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in memory of the four children of Mr. Emmanuel Obiukwu – Chioma, Ifeoma, Uche and Chidimma – killed in the 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Obi said that the day he handed over government to Chief Willie Obiano, he made it clear that there was no agreement between Obiano and himself and that he deliberately decided not to visit Awka and distract the new governor.

“I speak with him and we meet when it is necessary. I will support him as he works for the interest of the state, and I urge Anambra people to support and pray for him,” the former governor said.

Obi, who did the commissioning, took the opportunity to call on Nigerians to continue to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his fight against terrorism. He thanked God for granting the parents of the deceased the fortitude to bear the barbarism visited on them.

On the scholarship promised the remaining children, Obi said that Rev. Fr. Professor Edeh’s promise of free education for them at Madonna University nullified the promise, but that as it stood now, he would reach out to the new government on the promise.

Speaking at the event, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Archbishop Valerian Okeke prayed to God for the repose of the souls of the four children and thanked Obi for contributing to the provision of succour to the family.

In his own speech, Mr. Emmanuel Obiukwu said that what God did to the family through Obi was a living witness that God does wonders in people’s lives through men

•Photo shows former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (middle), with the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke (left), and Mr. Emmanuel Obiukwu (right), during the commissioning, on Friday by Obi, of the Prayer Ground he built in honour of the four children of the Obiukwus who died in the bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, in 2011.