The Countdown 2

Obiano’s Impact

By James Eze

In the history of modern society, leadership has been the greatest catalyst for human development. Every remarkable society or human civilization has been a product of leadership that is visionary, competent and wise. When leadership elevates its act, societies rise to their greatest heights; but when leadership fails, societies fall with it!

In the past eight years, Anambra State has experienced a momentous rise under the visionary and competent leadership of Governor Willie Obiano. It has been widely whispered that the state is slowly rising to the fullness of its promise and the fulfillment of its destiny.

But this should not come as a surprise, really. Obiano had made his ambitions clear from the beginning. For instance, in his Inaugural Address, Governor Obiano had declared that, “the time has come to prove to ourselves that the entrepreneurial spirit for which our people are known all over the world can take firm roots at home; that together as one, we can be masters of our own house.” Eight years after, the entire landscape of Anambra State speaks in loud affirmation that Willie Obiano has put the Anambra Dream within a touching distance!

Obiano came with an Economic Blueprint which declared that his Vision was “to make Anambra the 1st Choice investment destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities” while his Mission was “to create a socially stable business-friendly environment that would attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities.”

Today, no one is in doubt that Anambra is a better place to live and pursue one’s happiness. The performance indicators are there for all to see. In the past eight years, Governor Obiano had increased workers’ salaries even when Nigeria’s economy was in recession. He attracted massive investments into the agricultural sector which helped to bring down unemployment and crime, he built 18 solid bridges and 131 roads to open up industrial and agricultural clusters, he invested heavily in education and today, Anambra children are wining major academic laurels across the world and finally, he created an investment-friendly environment and in 2020 when COVID-19 made war on the world, Anambra was reported to have attracted $10.2m in foreign direct investments.

In fact, the impact of Obiano’s Economic Blueprint is remarkable. In eight years that were marred by two recessions and a colossal slump in global oil earnings, Obiano grew Anambra’s subnational economy from N3.2trn to N4.2trn. Through his managerial competence, Anambra State led other states in Nigeria as the state with the lowest poverty rate, indicating a drop from 53% in 2010 to 14.8% in 2020. Anambra was also rated as the state with the lowest unemployment rate in Nigeria at 13.1% when the national average stood at 27%. Also under Obiano’s watch, Anambra joined Lagos and Rivers as the only states in Nigeria that could meet their operating obligations with funds from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and earnings from Value Added Tax (VAT). And finally, under Obiano, Anambra was rated as the state with the best Fiscal Responsibility Index in Nigeria. The only state that beat her to the first position was Rivers State. These are not mere conjectures. They are verifiable facts. Obiano has had a tremendous impact. That should not be in doubt!

However, what appears to be the ultimate game changer in Obiano’s stunning results is the success he recorded in getting the Federal Government to formally admit Anambra into Nigeria’s league of oil-producing states. In fact, it has been confirmed that the state would receive her first 13% derivation fund from the Federal Government this month. There is no telling the import of this revenue on the state when it finally drops. And when we remember that these resources shall be managed by Prof Chukwuma Soludo, it becomes clearer that Obiano is leaving Anambra State in the best possible position ever! That is impact!

Beyond these impressive facts though, Governor Obiano has also woven a delicate tapestry that ensure that Anambra State emerges as a formidable economic power. A few things point us in that direction. They are; the International Conference Center Awka which is the largest single event center in Nigeria with a capacity to sit 10,000 people, the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport Umueri which is rated among some of the best airports in West Africa today and of course, the brand new Awka City Stadium. Any serious thinker can see that Governor Obiano has creatively laid a foundation for the prosperity of Anambra State. Indeed, when you connect the dots between West Africa’s largest retail market in Onitsha, West Africa’s leading Auto City in Nnewi, Nigeria’s largest event center in Awka and West Africa’s most modern airport in Umueri, you will inevitably see the outline of a major economic corridor in Anambra State. This becomes even clearer when we add Golden Tulip Agulu Lake Hotel, Agulu which was started by Obiano’s predecessor but completed by him. The hotel is one of the most serene holiday resorts in South East Nigeria. Therefore, prospective investors can easily fly into Umueri Airport and lodge comfortably in Golden Tulip Agulu Lake Hotel and begin to make business inquiries in the state. That is the power of purposeful leadership… the ability of a leader to connect the dots between people and events with opportunities. Again, that is impact!

Happily, in response to Obiano’s visionary leadership, Anambra’s numerous industrialists and entrepreneurs have started taking parts of their businesses back to their home state. Obiano’s Aku Luo Uno call has struck a chord with the entrepreneurial pride of the people and they are moving back to help in building a new Anambra State. He has rekindled the Anambra pride and invoked the people’s passion for excellence. He has lit a candle in the corner of the people’s heart. Now they are fanning the flame into a glorious blaze!

Indeed, in eight years of hard work, Governor Obiano has elevated Anambra State to an enviable status. Anambra has become a house on the hill which no attentive passerby can miss or ignore.

Finally, that is impact!

A 10000 persons events center is the largest in Nigeria. Which other things are you being Conservative about the truth?