Obiano Blazes Trail in Quest for Self-sustenance
among States, Holds Strategic Retreat for EXCO
with Bismark Rewane
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has
blazed the trail for states seeking for a lasting
solution to the financial crunch that has enveloped
most states of the federation due to plummeting
oil prices and the general downturn in the
Nigerian economy.
The governor who left the banking industry on a
high to take over the reign of leadership in his
home state showed his private sector background
when he dragged renowned economist and
financial wizard, Mr. Bismark Rewane, CEO of
Financial Derivatives Company of Nigeria and Mrs
Eileen Shaiyen, CEO/Founder of H. Pierson
Nigeria, a foremost consulting firm to Awka the
state capital to lead discussions on how best to
build on the existing structures in the state to
ensure a more robust and economically prosperous
Anambra State.
The two-day Retreat that holds under the theme –
Doing More with Less, is expected to provide a
comprehensive overview of the global and Nigerian
economy and locate Anambra State within the
matrix of these larger economies with a view to
envisioning a brighter future for the state in the
midst of the frightening economic climate in the
country at the moment.
It is noteworthy that Anambra has remained an
exemplary state, paying salaries as and when due
and meeting all its financial obligations at a time
most states of the federation are almost bankrupt
and begging for a bailout from the federal
government.
The Retreat is a bold move by Governor Obiano to
bring the members of his cabinet, the members of
the state legislative assembly, Heads of
parastatals and Agencies as well as Chairmen of
local government up to speed with the dynamics of
the global and domestic economy and how ripples
from those two can disrupt the best laid out
economic blueprint. It would also prepare them
for a better and prudent use of scarce resources
in a season of lack and financial draught.
Speaking at the opening of the Retreat, Governor
Obiano noted that Anambra is the hub of economic
activities in the South East and the entire West
African sub-region and consequently, any
financial tremor in the neighbouring states would
affect commercial activities in the state.
Giving an overview of the retreat, Governor Obiano
described it as very intense, saying “I believe that
the take away from the retreat will help us drive
our IGR in trying to do more with less. The theme
of the retreat is doing more with less. We are
trying to change the mind-set of the civil
servants on the direction we should go. I am very
happy with the speakers we invited because they
are very well known experts whose genius had
contributed to the growth in the nation’s
economy.”
Governor Obiano further declared his intention to
create a synergy between some ministries in his
state with relevant federal ministries in a manner
that would enhance the overall output of
governance in Anambra State.
He reiterated the commitment of his
administration to a secure and friendly Anambra
State that would pave way for the realization of
the Vision and Mission Statements of the state.
In his own presentation Mr. Bismark Rewane, the
CEO of Financial Derivaties Company Limited
emphasized the need for a closer collaboration
between the public and private sector to ensure
the emergence of more robust economy in
Anambra State.
The financial maverick argued that under the
present economic climate, the states in Nigeria
must shrug off the days of financial recklessness
and brace us for the brass task of purposeful
leadership by creating alternative revenue sources
and sealing all leakages in their financial system.
He expressed the belief that Anambra State can
leverage on its enormous potentials as the largest
retail market in West Africa as well as its
abundant fertile land and skilled labour force to
compete in the emerging markets especially with
the recent interest the state had provoked in the
investment community.
According to him, there is an urgent need for a
deeper and more viable market in the state that
will stimulate the interest of investors further
pointing out that state governments should always
monitor unemployment and inflation as they were
key misery index capable of undermining the best
laid developmental efforts.
He applauded Governor Obiano for heroically
rescuing Anambra from the clutches of criminals
who had laid the state waste for years but
warned that State must not lose its vigilance in
the area of security as it was vital to its very
survival.
Mr. Rewane also observed that the country is
currently plagued by many challenges including
insecurity, pipeline rehabilitation, subsidy
removal, gaps in fiscal planning, huge domestic
and foreign debts profiles, depleting external
reserves and high cost of governance.

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