By Tony Osborg
Let us look at Anambra state and see why it is more sustainable than most oil producing states. There are three major cities that drive the economic prosperity of Anambra state; Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka.

Nnewi is the industrial city of Anambra State. Nnewi is home to several indigenous industrial manufacturing companies. Nigeria’s first car manufacturing plant is located at Nnewi. Nigeria’s auto part manufacturing factories are located at Nnewi, the first Nigerian made motorcycle was and is still been produced at Nnewi. There are several number of indigenous industrial products been produced at Nnewi. Technically, Nnewi is referred to as the ‘Japan of Africa’. One fascinating thing about Nnewi is that most (if not all) of the industrial estates and manufacturing factories located there were built by indigenous efforts and by Nnewi people. Ibeto Group of Companies, Cutix and ADswitch, Uru Industries Ltd, Omata Holdings Ltd, Cento Group of Companies, Coscharis of Companies Group, Innoson Group of Companies, Ebunso Nig. Ltd, John White Industries, Ejiamatu Group of Companies, Chicason Group, Louis Carter Group, etc are all manufacturing companies established by Nnewi people at Nnewi. These indigenous industrialists simply transformed Nnewi into what it has become. Nnewi alone accounts for over 70% of the auto parts manufacturing business in Nigeria. Nnewi has a private sector driven economy.

The indigenous industrial efforts at Nnewi means thousands of jobs for residents and millions in revenue for the state government.

Onitsha is the commercial city of Anambra State, it is gradually also becoming an industrial city too. A number of new manufacturing companies have recently sprang up within the city, making it not only a trade center but also a production center. The Onitsha main market is one of West Africa’s biggest markets and provides opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs and revenue for the state government. Onitsha is a private sector driven economy.

Awka is the state capital of Anambra state. As expected, it is a city mostly funded by state government activities. Awka hosts the government structures, universities, and a pocket of small commercial activities.

Anambra state govt seem to have an efficient civil service that has helped it survive through this period of low federal allocations. Anambra internally generates between N2-3billion Naira monthly. After Ogun State, Anambra recorded the highest improvement in IGR within the past two years.

Anambra has an impressive road network system that makes almost all of its rural communities connected by road. The same applies to electricity distribution. The state also has an impressive system of funding and managing of its basic schools. Secondary school education is subsidized, students pay between N2- 4,000 per term. Public basic education is therefore not free like it is in the Delta. This is a sustainable approach.

Every public secondary school has a made-in-Anambra-Innoson school bus. The waste disposal trucks in the state are made-in-Anambra- Innoson trucks. Some local security vehicles are made-in-Anambra-Innoson vehicles.

Anambra has a ‘community police’ system which it calls ‘vigilante’. This security system is decentralized in such a way that every community has its own team of indigenous security men, managing the security of the community. They are armed and have patrol vans. The vigilante system is more effective than the Nigerian Police system. These security officers are not paid by the communities but by the state government. These set of security officers are more visible than the Nigerian Police officers.

In the government school where I worked, we have a brand new sound proof generator which Peter Obi delivered to the school years back. I am sure the school has never used that generator since it was delivered. We also have two other generators, we only use one of them. The school has also replaced its black boards with white boards and have therefore replaced chalks with markers. The school is a beneficiary of an NCC initiative and therefore has internet access, tens of laptops and desktop computers which it uses to teach its students. Our library has good books and the overall management of the school is commendable. Supervisors show up from state ministry once in a while to assess teachers performance. Its a state owned school.

The youth corpers who passed out of service last month in Anambra state received between 80-140k backlog payment for their service to the state. Surprisingly, while oil rich states like Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom have either slashed state youth corpers allowances by half or even stopped payment, Anambra state early this year increased corpers allowances and paid them all sometime last month before their passing out.

Anambra has an impressive number of indigenous billionaires who are driving their local economy. It is rumored that Anambra state alone has the highest number of billionaires in Nigeria as at today. I do not mean resident billionaires, I mean billionaires by state of origin. You can research this yourself.

Nah story

Dem call you Ben Ben

While the masses are not benefitting anything


No good road . And other social infrastructure

Abegi

AGRICULTURE:
On agriculture; there is a group of people called Anam in Anambra state. These people are driving the agricultural revolution in the state. They are as hardworking as the Hausa/Fulani manual workers. Those who know the Hausa/Fulani manual workers in the South will attest to their productive ability to deliver on difficult projects at cheap rates. And they provide cheap labor. In Bayelsa for example, the local Ijaw unskilled workers are complaining about how the Hausa/Fulani manual workers are taking over their manual jobs. These set of people can deliver on any kind of labor work and their prices are unbelievable. Anambra has these kind of people too and they are from the Anam area. The Anam people of Anambra state are predominantly farmers. In terms of agriculture, they are as productive as Northern Nigeria. Farming is their religion and their location along the Niger River gives them an edge over other farming groups in the state. They grow yam, tomato, plantain, rice, cassava, melon, potatoe, and many others. It is rumored that Anambra is now getting close to been self-sufficient in tomato production; thanks to the Anam people. I also hear that Anambra now exports vegetable.(pic) ANAMBRA STATE RICE FARM @ ANAKU ANAMBRA STATE .

CITIZENS EFFORTS:
One interesting thing I like about Anambra people is their hustling spirit and the drive to develop their hometowns even without government support. You will be amazed at what individuals and diaspora town unions are doing to develop their communities in Anambra state. A man named Ichue Mike Ezenduka built a 4.2 kilometer road for his community from his personal pocket. Another man named Dr. Godwin Maduka is building a 15 storey specialist Orthopaedic hospital in his hometown, this is outside the number of other projects he has constructed there. An Anambra business man named Authur Eze pays every youth corper serving in his hometown an additional ten thousand Naira monthly from his personal pocket. There are several other interesting efforts by Anambra people that I do not want to mention here. The point is, the rich people of Anambra consider themselves as part of govt and also take social responsibilities, especially as it affects their immediate hometowns.

Minister of Agriculture, CBN Governor, Kebi State Governor,Nasarawa State Governor and Anambra State Dr William Obiano . Visit Coscharis Farms Anaku Anambra state!

More of Anaku Rice Farm Anambra State

RICE FARM @ ANAKU ANAMBRA STATE

Anambra state is a sustainable state because, just like Lagos, the economy is not funded by politics of allocation alone which boils down to the civil service. The industrial and commercial activities are what drives the economy and even the politics.

In oil states like Delta and Bayelsa, the bulk of the economy is funded by politics. Asaba for example is a city sustained by government patronage. Yenegoa depends heavily on federal allocations. If civil servants are not paid, the economy (down to the market women) becomes grounded as it has recently become. After churches, the next biggest industry in Yenegoa is hotel. These hotels are patronized by mostly oil contractors and govt officials, with the grounding of the oil sector which by extension also grounds the govt, the hotel industry has nearly collapsed due to low patronage. In the past, due to free oil money, the govt of Bayelsa employed ‘everybody’ to work in its civil service as a way of empowerment and wealth creation. Today, the action is no longer sustainable and the decision is difficult to reverse. Today, the civil servants cannot be paid nor sacked. The state is almost grounded. Despite the free oil money that has accrued to the Niger Delta states over the years, the region still suffers from been seen as a sustainable region. Its civil service is fraudulently bogus, its development contracts are ridiculously inflated, its businessmen are administrative based, they rise with an administration and fall when the administration leaves office. Their sources of wealth cannot be sustained because it is based on govt patronage. Akwa Ibom has fantastic public infrastructures but there are no serious internal economic activities to sustain the system. Port Harcourt city of Rivers State is gradually feeling the heat of the oil sector crisis. Port Harcourt industrial economy is oil servicing based. The other economy is funded by politics. With the oil sector in crisis, Port Harcourt is becoming a stagnant city in terms of economic prosperity. IOCs are unable to pay contractors. Contractors are forced to lay off staff to remain afloat. The Onne Port which would have created an alternative economic prosperity for the state is greatly and wrongly tied to the oil & gas sector and is badly affected by federal politics.

While Anambra state is producing and selling indigenous products to the rest of Nigeria and earning exchange to sustain its people and state, most Niger Delta states are still at the level of consumption. This is the big difference.

Recently, a development commission in the Niger Delta needed a client to purchase some plastic products worth over two hundred million Naira. I was directed to find a manufacturer that meets the specification. I could not find any in Port Harcourt or any other Niger Delta state. I ended up recommending Innoson factory at Enugu and another at Lagos. The deal has already been struck. Enugu and Lagos will be patronized for the contract. This is what we are talking about. Enugu, Anambra and Lagos have products to offer Nigeria just like the North is offering in agriculture. What are the Niger Delta states offering the rest of Nigeria to earn more money for its govt?

The future of Nigeria lies not even in agriculture but in manufacturing. This is why I am impressed at what indigenous people are doing at Nnewi and Lagos.

The Niger Delta might have lost its golden opportunity just like other regions of the country due to the resource curse syndrome which comes with free oil money. Anambra is successful because indigenous Anambra people have a natural inclination to succeed by whatever means necessary. Alot still has to be done by the state govt though.

Anambra could have been better if the federal politics was right. Anambra could have been better if the constitution made room for community based govt which they already do practice in some sense. I have seen community unions donate transformers, build public schools, manage hospitals and do many more things in that Igbo land. It all shows that there is a sense of responsibility towards home. With a community based govt system in a place like Anambra, development will reach the grassroot. I see a place like Anambra becoming an ideal destination for economic opportunities.

I hope the Niger Delta people will learn a thing or two from the Anambra people soon. Its time to think home in a sustainable manner.

It is time for state govts to pick up the list of imported products into Nigeria and say to themselves, what and what on this list can we replace between now and three years time from our states? What is our comparative advantage?

The Igbos are already trying to overcome the Forex crisis by expanding their local manufacturing base by finding local substitutes. The Igbos are both traders and industrialists. They don’t only sell, they also produce. Onitsha and Nnewi is a perfect example of this illustration and Anambra state is simply reaping the benefits from its peoples effort. Everyday you see trucks moving finished goods from Anambra to other parts of Nigeria just like it is done from Lagos state. You hardly see same from most Niger Delta states.

The unitary system that we practice has hampered competition among states for too long. It is becoming clearer now that there will likely be no more free oil money soon. Those like Anambra who have laid the foundation for industrial revolution have nothing to fear. The industrial companies will provide the taxes through which the govt will survive. That is how it should be.

I feel worried for Bayelsa state. I worry for Delta state too. And I pray that the oil sector collapse as soon as possible. That might be the only opportunity for us to start thinking. Not just here in the Delta but in the whole of Nigeria.

EAGLES FARMS IN UMUCHU! A GIANT STRIDE IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ANAMBRA!

A visit to Eagles Farms, Umuchu, Anambra State by the Anambra State agriculture team has accentuated the fact that the entrepreneurial spirit of Ndi Anambra is the major ingredient that will transform agriculture in the state.
Eagle Farms is a food processing and animal production company with equipment fabricated 100% in Anambra.

Eagle Farms Cattle Ranch raises cattle within a confined perimeter and produces feed for the cattle within the farm. Therefore, the cattle do not need to wander about in search of pasture.

The Ministry of Agriculture Mechanization, Processing and Exports is therefore calling on Ndi Anambra to invest in cattle rearing and drive innovation in this sector. Start small and grow big. The demand for beef is too much of a market to be ignored. That way, we will all eliminate the need to buy meat from these marauding murderers called the Fulani!

Advisory services will be offered by Eagle Farms under guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Havesting of rice in coscharis farm anambra state

This is how all 36 states should run. Make the people productive and let them build the states with productiveness.
Imagine if Anambra can do all these, most states in the North have two Times the land mass of Anambra.

The fact that this man is putting up a hospital of this magnificense in his own village is incredible

Nice 1, bro...Anambra amaka

when we go begin chop the Anambra rice?

A BITTER LEAF FARMER @ ODIDA ABATETE ANAMBRA STATE

Threada ekwesigo ino ni iru abatam nairaland.

dEastActivist:
Op what a lovely rejuvenating piece...
Thanks a bunch...

You are welcome!

Obi calls for Support for MASDEVAN Farms URUM AWKA NORTH ANAMBRA STATE

The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has called on public-spirited Nigerians to invest in ventures that have the capacity to empower the people. Obi was speaking at MASDEVAN farm, Urum, Anambra State while presenting a cheque of 1 million Naira to the farm as a revolving loan to students that underwent training in the farm on techniques for modern farming.

Obi who said that farming was a big business all over the world, said that the era of thinking that farming was for those that did not go to school was over. Having opted to pay for the training of 10 people in the farm, Obi encouraged others to train as many people as they are capable of training.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the farm, Rev. Fr. Sebastine Anokwulu, who recalled the assistances Obi rendered to the farm when he was still the Governor, which, according to him, included donation of money, equipment and vehicle to the farm, said it was thoughtful of him to continue assisting them even after he left office.

Fr. Anokwulu said that the farm was expanding, but needed support to reach its full potentialities. He said that the farm, with support of the people and the loan from his bishop, had got to a stage where a little more push will make it self sustaining.

He said the idea of the farm was not principally to make money, but a way the Church hoped to continue to contribute to the development of the society. "We preach against vices such as armed robbery, with this farm, we can also train those that are inclined to vices to engage in venture that will be of benefit to them and the society, thereby making them even closer to God", father concluded.

Adeboye Urges FG To Emulate Obiano’s Diversification Programme.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his economic promises to Nigerians.

Adeboye said this while addressing a group of businessmen and women at the RCCG Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

Speaking through his Assistant General Overseer on Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, Adeboye advised the government to borrow a leaf from the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who has been injecting funds into the state for rice production and other programmes that could turn things around for the state.

He noted that agriculture was the main focus of the government before crude oil was discovered. According to him, people should go back to agriculture, while governments at all levels should also encourage people to engage in small-scale farming.

He enjoined businessmen to conduct their affairs with the fear of God and also remember to always give God what belongs to Him.

Source: Guardian Newspaper Online

GOVERNOR BAGUDU OF KEBBI IN ANAMBRA ON RICE ASSESSMENT TOUR
20th October, 2016

The Chairman, National Task Force to drive the production of rice and wheat in Nigeria and the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was received by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano in Anambra on an assessment tour.

As part of the diversification drive by President Buharis administration, others present at the tour were the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; officials of Anambra State, farmers amongst others. During the assessment tour, the team visited farmland being cultivated for Anambra Rice. They were also presented with bags of Anambra-made stone free rice ready for the market.

It can be recalled that Governor Bagudu was sworn-in in June 2016 as National Chairman of the task force committee that is mandated to fix production targets for rice and wheat among the states taking part in the programme in Nigeria. It will also determine the scope, markets and government’s commitments necessary for success.

Also listed among the terms of reference for the task force is the removal of deficiencies in the value chain and facilitating farmers’ access to support facilities such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s [CBN] Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. The assessment team expressed their delight on the progress in Anambra.

Office of the SSA New Media
Kebbi State

COSCHARIS FARMS - 100% Sortexed long-grain parboiled rice, COSRICE®

Coscharis Farms, strategically located within Anambra 'light of our nation' is home to hygienically fertilized and cultured rice grains processed by in house bio-experts into 100% Sortexed long grain parboiled rice for mass market supply and consumption.

The farm is currently growing on 2500 hectares of land with anticipated 5000 hectares of out-growers scheme in the first phase of the project implementation.

In 2016 planting season the farm's target of first production at commercial quantity on 500 hectares to achieve 3000 metric tons of rice paddy.

With the local consumption of rice in Anambra State estimated at 300,000 metric tons and present production only 20,000 metric tons, Coscharis Farms aims to put their shoulder to the wheel by producing about 20,000 metric tons of rice by 2018, when the farm would have achieved full capacity rice operations in the first phase.

Coscharis Farms plans to expand cultivation to 10, 000 hectares of land in the second phase of the project with a capacity to produce about 70,000 metric tons of rice.

Products

The COSRICE sack option is our premier farm produce sourced and packaged using grains harvested from our rice plantation.

Classified as 100% Sortexed long-grain parboiled rice, COSRICE is available soon nationwide for supply and consumption.

Partnerships

In conjunction with Anambra State Government, Coscharis has developed a social impact model around our farms business, providing jobs and vocational training through our plantations while facilitating community development through construction of road networks linking our planting community and Anambra's central business district.

COSCHARIS GROUP LIMITED

Km 32 Lekki - Epe Expressway, Awoyaya, Lagos, Nigeria

Coscharis Group | 2016

http://coscharisgroup.net/coscharis-farms#about

OFFICIALS OF NDE LEAD BY OCHEME ADOGA VISITS RICE FARMS IN IGBAKWU ANAMBRA STATE: ON inspection visit to NDE assisted rice farm at Igbakwu community in Ayamelum LGA of Anambra State today.

Anaku have again set an example in agriculture this is a new brand of Potatoe farm in itulu umuriana Anaku Ayamelum L G A Anambra state(pic)HECTARES OF POTATOE FARM @ ANAKU ANAMBRA STATE

This is nice and more work can still be done

MASDEVAN FARM URUM AWKA NORTH LGA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Masdevan farm urum:There are 23 ponds here and Each of these ponds contains 2000 fish.

In extending the frontiers of entrepreneurship, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano visited Masdevan Farms, Urum in Awka North Local Government to commission new facilities and to see things for himself.

Masdevan Farms which has received N200m aid from the State Government is a major producer of agro products; crops and farm animals as well as farm produce such as improved seedlings.

Satisfied with the state of things, Gov Obiano expressed his readiness to assist any group or individual that is ready to embark on productive agribusiness and reiterated that his administration is determined to make each local government in the State self-sufficient in Fish Farming.

Masdevan Farms graduated a set of young agriculture trainees who have acquired necessary skills to run profitable Agro businesses.

Good news coming from the light of Africa
The home of indeginous industries
The home of great men and women who has made positive marks worldwide
The home of men of timber and caliber
God bless anambra
God bless ala igbo
God bless biafra

loopmangoat:
Good news coming from the light of Africa
The home of indeginous industries
The home of great men and women who has made positive marks worldwide
The home of men of timber and caliber
God bless anambra
God bless ala igbo
God bless biafra

Masdevan farm urum Anambra State

Masdevan farm Urum Anambra State