The Leader Anambra Needs

By Chinedu Nzeribe   

There is something to be learned from Anambra. Is it their policy? Is it their budgetary practice? Whatever it is, it is working! The Federal Government and the state governments should study what Anambra has been doing right and replicate it nationally. Anambra proves Nigeria does not need oil to thrive.

-Senator Ben Murray-Bruce from Bayelsa State.

These are really good times for the people of Anambra State. The dramatic changes we have seen and experienced across the state in the last three years are well acknowledged. From agric development to exemplary performance in educational contests in Nigeria and overseas to security, Anambra State has attracted national attention, and Willie Obiano has consequently become one of the most decorated governors in recent years throughout the country. However, there is one area, which has escaped the attention of most commentators: Making Anambra State scandal-free.

As I am writing this brief article, there are newspaper reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a court order confiscating an exquisite 100-room hotel under construction in Lekki, Lagos State. The reason is that the hotel is reportedly being developed with N500m and $500,000 by a serving state governor, and the monies are believed to be proceeds of crime. Though the EFCC has not mentioned publicly the name of the state governor, many media outlets have disclosed authoritatively that the developer is a top-notch of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), who is also a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor has vigorously denied the allegation, but everyone seems to take the denial with a pinch of salt. 

Newspapers and Internet media outlets have quoted unnamed EFCC officials, as confiding in them that the governor diverted the state’s share of the refund of money from the Paris Club made to the 36 states of the federation plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. As someone who did his one-year compulsory one-year National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) in the governor’s state, which is arguably Nigeria’s poorest state, I am disheartened by the news. Why is the money not invested in the state but used to develop Lagos further?

Let the truth be told: The governor is not alone in being accused of looting the refund of the Paris Club. Many other governors stand accused. Looting by state governors seems to have become a way of life in Nigeria since 1999. Newspapers before me, as I am writing, report that Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, former Jigawa State governor, is standing trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja for refusing to honour invitations from the EFCC in connection with the looting of N5.2bn and $20m when he was in office. Indeed, there are very few state governors, both former and current, who are not charged with acts of scandalous corruption.

For us in Anambra State, the good news is that the state has been scandal-free. If not for the police arrest and detention of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), carrying N250m raw cash on Sunday, June 1, 2009, at 7 Aerodromme Road in Apapa, Lagos, which is the private office of the then governor, Anambra State would have been totally free of corruption scandals since the restoration of democracy.   In fact, Anambra has been really free of all forms of scandal in the last three years. Take strikes. Though doctors in the service of the state government went on an unbelievable two-year strike just before Chief Obiano assumed office over poor conditions of service, no one dare talk of workers, protesting against the current administration because there is, frankly, nothing to protest against.

Can workers protest against Obiano for increasing their salaries by 15%, the only governor to do so in the last four years? Can they possibly protest against the only state government, which pays salaries before the end of every month? Can they protest against it for being concerned right now with how to increase salaries again? Can they protest against the government for not going for a bailout like even rich oil-producing states, which got so broke that they have not paid salaries for about one year? Can they protest against the  only state government to launch a stimulus package in the wake of the ongoing recession in the country? Can they protest against, perhaps, the only government still employing people, especially graduates with physical disabilities? Can they protest against Obiano’s clearing of the N200m salary arrears owed the staff of the state water corporation for 10 years? Can they protest against a government, which has just released almost N1bn to the state radio and radio stations as well as the newspaper company for the payment of retired workers’ pensions and gratuities, which were not paid for decades? Can they protest against a government still building roads and bridges, as if the state were inoculated against the national recession?

Needless to state, there is no state in Nigeria today where the workers unions and the government have demonstrated so much affection for each other as Anambra State. Last May 1, for instance, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), among other groups, endorsed a second term for Obiano. They described him as a role model, the leader Anambra State needs. One of my relatives spent eight years at the Anambra State University Teaching Hospital to become a doctor but failed because the hospital could not secure the accreditation of the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on grounds of insufficient staff and inadequate facilities. Today, he is a qualified doctor, thanks to Obiano, who provided the required funds. The state teaching hospital is not only accredited, it is training consultants. Willie is working.

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce from Bayelsa State is correct in recommending that both the Federal Government and state governments in Nigeria borrow a leaf from Anambra. Kogi State, for instance, has been sending its top officers to Anambra to understudy the state’s financial management. Even states like Lagos should learn from Anambra, even though both states are the fastest developing in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development.  But Lagos is not as safe as Anambra. Lagos has in recent times been devastated by kidnappings and cult-related killings. Pupils and their teachers are now fair game to kidnappers in Nigeria’s commercial capital. In Imo State, kidnappers have been having a field day for several months. The Kaduna-Abuja highway has in the last five months been hijacked by robbers and kidnappers. Violent criminals used to enjoy free rein in Anambra State until Obiano found a solution, which turned out to be a magical bullet. But today the state has become the safest in the whole country. Therefore, various state governors as well as federal security agencies should find out from the current administration in Anambra State how it performed the security miracle and learn from it.

Let me end this commentary with a quote from the Holy Bible: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).

• Nzeribe, until recently a      manager with Keystone Bank, lives in Onitsha, Anambra State.

7 Quick Facts About Anambra Rice

1. Anambra State consumes 320,000 metric tons of Rice every year;

2. Before Gov Obiano in 2014, Rice Farmers in Anambra produced only 80,000 metric tons per year;

3. By early 2017, within 3 years of Gov Obiano's administration, Farmers started producing 290,000 metric tons in Anambra;

4. With the new JOSAN Integrated Rice Farm and Mill in Ufuma at full operation, Anambra State is producing 400,000 metric tons;

5. Yet, Anambra State Government targets to produce 513,000 metric tons by the end of 2017;

6. So, before next year, Anambra will be having self grown and milled Rice in surplus of over 93,000 metric tons;

7. Thus, in 2018, Anambra Rice will readily and officially be exported to other States in Nigeria and beyond.

Kindly note that; Self sufficiency isn't when everyone has it at home because some "unpatriotic" persons may still prefer the imported brands to our Rice Brands

So, self sufficiency is when the quantity of Rice produced by us is more than the quantity we consume.

Rt Hon Ifeanyi Aniagoh

Anambra 2017: All PDP, APC Members Should Decamp To APGA - OAU Stakeholders, Odunze

All the members of the Peoples Democratic Party and their counterparts in other political parties have been urged to decamp to All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA for the common good of ndị Anambra and ndị Igbo in general. 

This formed part of the resolutions reached at the meeting of stakeholders in all Political Parties within Orumba North, Orumba South and Aguata local government areas held earlier today at the Triple Tree hotel, Amaokpala.

Speaking during the meeting, the convener, Chief Okechukwu Odunze who's on a tour of the 3 Senatorial Zones, emphasized that Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano "is a prayer answered," therefore, "we cannot afford to miss the opportunity of building our own party in a time like this."

Noting that aside APGA, other party members in Anambra "are hypocrites, they go to Abuja, become beggars but come down to Anambra and become agitators against their own people," Dr Odunze said "God gave ndị Anambra a working governor in the person of Chief Willie Obiano on whose great achievements we must stand like a people to form a strong alliance."

According to Dr Odunze, "governor Obiano is developing our communities in accordance with their natural endowments" while "aiding the agricultural development in our agrarian areas, he is also pushing for the infrastructural development of all communities according to the people's wish and needs."

"Looking at all the great works of the governor, one is charged not to sit at home and allow the boastful few to scuttle our progress"

"Any effort aimed at reelecting Obiano is not for the governor but for our children and our children's children," Dr Odunze added

Resolving to ensure that all politicians in the old Aguata region joins and ensures the victory of APGA, the stakeholders promised to advise all their sons and daughters to shelve their gubernatorial ambitions for "ọdịmma ndị Igbo" which will also increase the chances of Anambra South taking over after the 2nd term of governor Obiano.

Moving on to Ukpor Town Hall, Dr Odunze who was amazed by the mammoth crowd gave assurances that "no one can rig out APGA as far as ndị Anambra are on their guard."

Thanking the large number of stakeholders that gathered from Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo and Ihiala local government areas, for their patience and solidarity, Dr Odunze explained the need for every Onye Anambra to "rally around Obiano and APGA to ensure that the all important November 18 election is won squarely for the governor."

Concurring to Dr Odunze's assertion, the stakeholders observed that APGA remains the only party ndị Igbo can run to considering the current State of the Nation with ultimata here and there.

There was unanimous affirmation that all hands must be on deck to actualize the desired victory for APGA come November, 2017.

Present at the meetings were major stakeholders in the various local government areas and leaders of thought at the grassroots level including youth and women leaders, market leaders and heads of community associations and kindred.

The stakeholders meeting continues tomorrow, Saturday, June 24 for Anambra North and Anambra Central Senatorial Districts.

By Rtrn Ifeanyi Aniagoh

Obiano Has No Intention Of Leaving APGA, Obidigbo Is Simply Suffering From ObianoPhobia

Please disregard the ill informed statement by an aspirant of All Progressives Congress, Chike Obidigbo stating that “Obiano is giving up on APGA.”

Obidigbo who was ignorantly speaking through his aide on Social Media, Eneh Victor Chigozie  tried to confuse the unsuspecting public by insinuating that governor Obiano is “begging for APC ticket” because he “has lost hope with the leadership crisis in the party and has relocated to Abuja where he has intensified his lobbying to join APC.”

Being an aspirant without clear cut blue print, we are not surprised at the level of lies and propaganda being propagated by Obidigbo and his team.

Instead of focusing on resolving the impasse  which made the Northern Youths to give ndi Igbo an ultimatum to return home, Obidigbo and his team are busy formulating lies and spreading hate amongst ndi Anambra.

This isn’t the first time and might not be the last, so I advise the good people of Anambra State to take note of these aspirants, their team and parties, for they do nothing but concoct and spread falsehood.

Let me state categorically that the willingly working Willie has no intention of leaving APGA. Gov Obiano has stated this severally and as Akpokuedike, he is a man who stands by his people.

Obidigbo and his team are simply suffering from the fear of governor Obiano whose giant strides in just 3 years have become points of reference in Anambra, Abuja and beyond.

Igbo is our Identity, APGA is Our Party

By Rtn Ifeanyi Aniagoh
SSA Social Media To
Governor Willie Obiano

Anambra Skills Acquisition Training, Phase 2 Empowers 200 Youth Drawn from the 21 LGAs

From the 21 local government areas in the state, over 200 youths were selected to take part in the 2nd edition of Anambra Skills Acquisition Training. 

A programme put together by the Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Youth, Entrepreneurship and Sports Development.

Speaking at the inauguration in Awka, the Commissioner for Youth, Entrepreneurship and Sport Development, Barr. Mrs Uju Nwogu, said the training is in line with the efforts of Gov. Willie Obiano to empower the youths.

She added that the training is designed to make the youths self-reliant and self-confident by equipping them with contemporary skills to combat unemployment.

“You may recall that last year at the Youth Centre in Mgbakwu, 200 youths of Anambra State were trained in various self-sustaining skills. “Now less than a year, another batch of 200 will commence the training.

“This is a demonstration of our believe that developing entrepreneurial mind-set in the youths is panacea to economic growth. “We are sure that the enormous resources being committed for the success of this programme will be justified.

“Thank God for the governor who has made this possible because he believes in the youth as the future of our state,” she said.

The training which commenced yesterday, will last for two weeks and it is being conducted at the Federal Youth Development Centre, Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area.

Qualified youths were drawn from several registered uniformed and non-uniformed youth based organizations across the State.

The commissioner said the beneficiaries are being trained on various skills such as shoe making, confectionery, decorations, phone repairs, solar power and interlocking.

She added that they will also be trained on landscaping, tiling, wall screeding, Plasta of Paris (POP), fish hatchery, hair-making and other entrepreneurial skills.

Declaring the training open, Gov Obiano, represented by Mr Harry Uduh, the State Head of Service, urged the youths to bear good fruits and justify the investment on them.

Recall that the administration of Chief Willie Obiano is the only government in the contemporary Nigeria with over 55% of his political appointments as youth including the youngest Commissioner, Mark Okoye.

Aside providing jobs through the new investments in the State, the government has steadily provided training opportunities for the young people with easy access to single digit loans via Anambra Small Business Agency.

Present also at the event were political appointees under the Ministry led by the Special Adviser to Gov Obiano on Youth Entrepreneurship, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim; the Caretaker Committee Chairman, NYCN Anambra State Chapter, Comr Chibuzor Okaa; among others.

Culled from Anambra Blog

There Was No Interception Of Arms At Nnewi – Anambra State Government

The Anambra State Government has said that rumours of the interception of arms and ammunition in the industrial town of Nnewi is untrue.

The state commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Tony Nnachetta told DAILY POST that the rumour, which has set the town agog since Friday evening is pure falsehood.

Nnacheta said his attention has been drawn to the rumour which has it that arms were found in a vehicle which came from the northern part of the country, while yams conveyed by the truck was being offloaded.

The commissioner said the government and the security agencies had undertaken an exhaustive investigation of the story and found it to be wholly false.

He said, “It is untrue. It is a fib. We therefore refute this story in its entirety with all the emphasis of the State.

“It is regretful that irresponsible characters will let their imagination run riot and proceed to spin that through electronic messages on the unwary public. It is obvious that this is an attempt to set up our people against themselves, create suspicions and unnecessary tension where they harvest mischief and unsavory reactions.”

He called on residents of Nnewi and Anambra people in general to go about their business calmly, and continue to be vigilant of detractors to the stability in the state.

Nnacheta said Governor Willie Obiano had provided the benchmark for community security in Nigeria; and Government with all the security agencies are determined to uphold it.

By Joe Chukindi