Exemplary And Purposeful Leadership In Anambra


No doubt, even a blind man can see that Anambra state has been so transformed in the last six years in which Governor Willie Obiano has piloted the affairs of the state. This is partly because a good leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. Above all, according to the scripture, when the righteous is in authority, the people rejoice. Since Obiano was sworn-in on March 17, 2014, he has shown that leadership runs in his blood. Thus, he has been exhibiting welfarist leadership in Anambra.

Beacons are visible and the performance indicators show that Akpokuedike is God sent. The picturesque new Awka with dazzling motorways and gleaming flyovers announce the birth of hope. The influx of investors leading to the attraction of over 5 billion dollar-worth of investments shows that Obiano has been making bold efforts to transform Anambra.

Same goes for the increase in and prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions when most states owe months of salary arrears. Graciously, the alert Governor and the Most Worker-Friendly Governor in Nigeria has been living up to his promise of paying salaries by 25th of every month. Anambra under Obiano is the only state to have severally increased workers’ salaries across board in the last six years and is equally the only state in Nigeria to have yearly given a bag of rice to every worker and pensioner in the state. The governor is also paying special allowances to teachers in hard to reach areas and those teaching special courses.

The state is leading in security, agriculture and education, while industrialization is doing well. The impressive growth in Internally Generated Revenue to make up for the drying allocation from the federation account as well as the offer of scholarships to thousands of students is exemplary.

Truth be told; Governor Willie Obiano has shown a great leadership trait that deserves an applause and encouragement. His vision of making Anambra State the first choice investment destination and the most preferred location to site new industries and his MISSION of creating a socially stable, business-friendly environment that will attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in Anambra State, indicate a perfect assessment of the needs of Ndi Anambra and their capacity to achieve them.

And in keeping with his usual drive for excellence, Sir Willie has achieved his promises, especially his four Cs – Continue, Complete, Commission, Commence new projects. Hence, Obiano has not abandoned any project from his predecessor. There is massive construction of new legacy projects such as roads, bridges, international conference centre and provision of road infrastructure such traffic lights in different parts of the state, thus making Anambra number one in terms of road network in the country. Night life has returned to Anambra, thanks to the glimmering street lights in all communities, making it a one-community-state.

The Obiano administration also introduced a health insurance scheme, ASHIA, in collaboration with the European Union, EU, in order to enhance the living standards of the citizenry. This scheme provides healthcare to people, almost free, including laboratory, drugs and surgery. Akpokuedike constructed the biggest oxygen plant at COOU Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka as well as equipped the hospital with modern health facilities and personnel.

Again, for the first time in the country, a government started a people- oriented program known as “Community Choose Your Project Initiative.” Under this arrangement, each of the one hundred and eighty-one communities in the state was given twenty million naira to execute any project of its choice. With this development, no community has been denied direct democracy dividends by the government. The third phase of the scheme is currently on going

Equally, there is hardly another state that has established socio-economic outfit akin to the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA and Anambra State Small Business Agency, ASBA, in order to attract investors, and empower small and medium scale entrepreneurs. Sir Willie attracted Appeal Court to Anambra, 29 years after the creation of the state. Anambra is today the safest state in Nigeria and the only state in Africa to install Close Circuit television, CCTV in major towns and cities across the state. This gesture bestowed Anambra the honour of hosting, for the first time in South East, the just concluded 12th Biennial Police Games.

Governor Obiano celebrated the final burial rites of our dead brothers and sisters during the Nigeria/Biafra war, tagged OZOEMEZINA. Akpokuedike also enrolls all the war veterans and former Rangers players into the health insurance scheme of the state. Apart from appointing the Ex-Rangers into sensitive political positions, Governor Obiano pays all of them monthly emolument, despite their state of origin.

For all these rare and outstanding achievements of Governor Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano, Akpokuedike Global has received numerous awards and encomiums, the latest being Knight Commander of the Pontifical Order of Saint Gregory the Great from Pope Francis. At six, the best Ndi Anambra can do is to continue to support his government by being alive to their civic responsibilities. Bravo, your Excellency; ride on.

Exemplary And Purposeful Leadership In Anambra