Celebrating Anambra at 20, a south-eastern state of Nigeria

ANAMBRA, a state blessed with enormous and unbelievable human potential recently celebrated its 20 years of existence. After tottering, falling and groping for direction, the state has finally steadied its legs and is up and walking at an admirable pace.

Map of Anambra State

It may not be running yet, but considering what it passed through in recent years, then one will surely doff one’s hat for the efforts, vision and commitment of a certain man called Peter Obi, aka Rock of Anambra.

At the formal kick-off of the anniversary, August 26, held at the Women’s Development Centre, Awka, Obi himself echoed this when he said inter alia: “We are celebrating because for the first time since the last four years, the state did not experience any form of what we were known for and it is worth celebrating”. He challenged anyone doubtful of what he said to dig into the state’s recent history.

I will help him here by highlighting some of them. Anambra made notorious history as the first and only state in the world where a serving governor (illegal or illegal) was abducted by civilians. It also became the only state to date where political godfathers went on a wild orgy of burning and destruction of public property in a shameless war with their godson. It was and still is the only state where a governor was impeached for good governance. Recall that Obi was impeached illegally in 2006 because he saved money earlier inflated by his predecessor and house members for rebuilding the burnt Government House and Lodge! He did it by far, far less and they were unhappy he blocked their means of milking the state.

Then the state was denied revenue by touts sponsored by the Ubas and the motor parks were a hell to visit. The state had no masterplan; Awka was a glorified village as nothing was done there while a past governor spent every kobo on his village axis. Roads were built lopsidedly to favour the then governor’s area and all the remaining sectors of the economy were ignored as though they never existed. Touts were glorified and intellectuals blacked out. Hence, when Obi’s predecessor was being sworn in in 2003, he devoted a large portion of his address to thank Chris Uba for facilitating his election and for making the day possible! Can you beat that?

Then, and before then, contracts were awarded to cronies and quacks and the results were disastrous. Recall that the ABS mast fell twice during construction, killing the engineers each time because a local chief who knew next to nothing about such work was given the contract in the name of carrying politicians along! These are some of what Obi stopped and which have triggered off a flurry of mad reactions from the looters but he has remained focused and Anambra adiba go mma taa (is getting better today). Emeka Anyaoku, the only Nigerian to have occupied the highest post in a world body agrees with this and stated it clearly that day in Awka on the occasion of the anniversary.

“It’s a celebration for all Anambrarians, irrespective of political affiliation. It is something worthy to celebrate,” he said, adding that Obi’s projects were things to see and appreciate. Anyaoku said: “In many respects, Obi is building on the foundations and expanding on them in a new way I’ve not seen anywhere in any other state of the federation.” He hailed Obi’s ANIDS as holistic and one that emphasised the people. It was through this ANIDS that Obi has transformed the entire state, taking development to hitherto forgotten areas and touching every sector simultaneously, be it health, education, sports, commerce and industry, etc.

Any surprise that this has been winning him accolades and approval from local and international bodies? ThisDay newspapers first awarded him Best Governor on Fiscal Management. Recently the Presidency made him honorary adviser on finance and member of the elite Nigeria Economic Management Team because of his financial wizardry that has seen him managing the state’s lean purse so well that he is yet to borrow money like many, many governors.

It was an occasion that saw the governor inviting the who’s who of the state, including his opponents. The roll call included Emeka Anyaoku, chairman and former secretary general of Common Wealth; the finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala who was key note speaker; Oby Ezekwesili; Prof Barth Nnaji, minister of power; Mustapha Chike Obi; Prof. Soludo; Prof Akunyili, Dr. Ngige; Chris Okeke; Ambassador Ralph Uwechue; Dozie Ikedife; Bianca Ojukwu; Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, Ralph Okey Nwosu; Cardinal Arinze; Bishop Anikwenwa; innocent Egbunike (former renowned athlete who was also honoured), ex-Rangers players like Okala; Dominic Nwobodo; Stanley Okoronkwo; Nwabueze Nwankwo; Aniedobe; Francis Nwosu; Ernest Ufele; Luke Okpala; Paul Obiakor; Mike Ogbuodudu, among others. The Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was also there.

Mr Jude Otuonu, a public commentator, wrote from Nimo, Anambra State.

Source: Vanguard