By Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor
For a host of prominent Anambra indigenes, all roads led to the Governors Lodge, Awka, last Saturday, as the state celebrated, in style, 25 years of eventful statehood.
(L-R): Silver Jubilee Cake: Former CBN Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, Member APGA BOT, Amb. Bianca Odimegwu Ojukwu, Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano , Former Vice President, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe, Former Governor of Anambra State, Dame, Virgy Etiaba cutting the special Anambra 25th Anniversary Cake at dinner held Governor’s lodge Amawbia.
The event was the dinner/gala night, which capped a colourful festivity that started with a press briefing at the State Executive Chamber on Friday at the Anambra State Government House, Awka and lighting of the three flyover bridges along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka.
The gala night, which ended in the early hours of Sunday, was graced by traditional rulers, elders, political leaders, the clergy, captains of industry and friends of the state.
Prominent Anambra elders and leaders at the dinner included Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme; former CBN Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo; National Chairman of the All Progressives Alliance, APGA, Dr. Victor Ike Oye; member APGA BoT, Amb. Bianca Odimegwu Ojukwu; Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi; Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke; Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe; and former Governor of Anambra State, Dame, Virgy Etiaba.
Time to think home – Obiano
Governor Willie Obiano used the events to woo wealthy Anambra citizens and other investors to look the way of the state in terms of investments, boasting that clement business environment has been provided in terms of security, infrastructure, raw materials and government policy.
In his estimation, it is not enough to be the most secured state in the country, one of the best in education, paved intra-city road networks and agriculture, there is need for partnership of all to take Anambra to where it should be in the next 25 years, specifically by 2041.
Anambra at 50 journey begins
Rallying the people to forge a common front on what must be done to make the state a better place in the next 25 years, Governor Obiano advised Anambra entrepreneurs to take advantage of the current conducive climate in the state and plough their investment homewards.
According to him, opportunities abound for investors in agriculture, housing, oil and gas, education and service provision among others.
To be Taiwan of Africa in 2041
Obiano also spoke on the effort of his government to make Anambra state an agricultural hub, and on the prospects of the state in the next 25 years, saying: “Anambra state will be the food basket of Africa in the next 25 years. In the next 25 years, Anambra will not depend on federal allocation. It will be known as a state that transited to become the Taiwan of Africa. We are number one among states that were created 25 years ago. We pay salaries as and when due. We are the safest state, and we have attracted billions of dollars in investment to the state.”
The governor made the remarks in a speech he titled: “Please let’s do it together.” He said it is important for Anambra people to forge a united front and think home especially in the face of increasing hostilities in many parts of the country.
His words: “Ndi Anambra, I am standing here tonight to tell you that there is so much work to do to build a better future for our children but the government of Anambra State cannot do it all alone. I am standing here to remind you that the only way we can move this great state forward is to do it together, to think together, to push together and to build together! Experience has shown that when people work together, they always win!”
The governor stated that despite great efforts made by successive regimes to develop the state, since 1991, Anambra is still work in progress, adding that at 25, there are many reasons to give thanks to God and celebrate.
Obiano acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of past leaders of the state and exploits of Anambra people across various spheres of human endeavours that have brought fame and acclaim to the state and stressed that his administration is riding on the solid foundation they laid to take the state to the next level.
“”I wish to appeal for peace and harmony. Let us all beat our cudgels into ploughshares and trim this garden of possibilities called Anambra State,” he appealed.
Self help endeavours must continue
“It is a thing of joy to realise that since the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Ndi Anambra have never waited for any government to provide access roads, scholarships, electricity, community schools, town hall blocks, cottage industries and recreational facilities for them. We have always stepped out through the various Town Unions to push the boundaries of modernity in our communities”
Describing the communal spirit that has been driving development in Anambra communities for ages, governor Obiano enthused that Anambra people do not “wait for the wind to blow in our favour. We go against the wind and leave a large mark for generations yet unborn.”
The governor extolled the people’s sense of community, enterprise and diverse talents, saying: “We have wealth creators and those who scatter riches. We have geniuses among us but we also have everyday people who continue to add drama to our everyday life. These are the attributes of a great household. There must be the good and the not-so-good children but they are all equally loved. Everyone is important to us. We cannot keep one and throw the other away. That is the spirit of Anambra. That is what has sustained our legend – the belief that where one thing stands, another thing stands beside it. Nothing ever stands alone in the philosophy of our people!”
How we curtailed herdsmen, farmers’ clashes
At a news conference on Friday, the governor outlined how he checked the herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in Anambra State. Obiano said he has been able to stave off clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state by deploying a strategic approach. He said that he set up a strong security committee he mandated to ensure that both farmers and herdsmen did not take the law into their hands.
“In May 2015, I set up a security committee to ensure that farmers and herdsmen keep the law. They (herdsmen) agreed that if they destroyed any farm in Anambra they will pay compensation. And they have paid 11 times…. If our people kill their cow we will pay compensation as well. And we have paid five times that that happened.”
Deputy-governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke who is the chairman of the Planning Committee of the event said the celebration was to gather the people to thank God for His mercies upon the state, which ensured that it remained on the path of growth and development despite the economic hardship in the country.
Proposing the 25th Anniversary toast, the Commissioner for Information, Communication and Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, described Anambra as the land of great men who are neither scared of challenges nor opportunities.
Other highlights of the gala night are a 30-minute documentary on Anambra at 25 which captured the history and achievements of the state, unveiling of the anniversary logo, stickers and lottery package, performances by the Police Band and Anambra State Cultural Troupe.
The dinner was part of the 25th anniversary celebrations that will end in December 2016. Other events have been scheduled to take place throughout the year to mark the milestone.
Vanguard News
