Anambra Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, says his administration has mapped out ways of making the state one of the greatest economies in the world.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that graced the Women Development Center, Awka, to mark his 100 days in office, Obiano said his four developmental pillars which still center on industrialisation, agriculture, trade and commerce and oil and gas, would be dutifully pursued. He assured that whatever project he set out to do during his tenure would be world class because he is not a half measure person.

According to the governor, “My vision is to transform Anambra into a first class choice investment destination and a hub for industrialisation and commercial activities, that was why I kicked off with security because that is the only foundation for investors to freely come in and invest.

“Our aim is to create a socially stable, business friendly environment that will attract both indigenes & foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in Anambra State.

“To realise our vision and mission statements, we have evolved what we call the four pillars which are the vehicle through which accelerated development will be delivered to Ndi Anambra. They include agriculture, industrialisation, trade and commerce, as well as oil and gas.

“Interestingly, the four pillars are firmly supported by what we call the enablers which include security, education, health, the environment, social infrastructure, housing and urban development, tourism, youth and sports development, security and social welfare and administration and local government, among others.

“100 days down the road, we have laid the necessary foundation for growth and I trust we will deliver because I don't believe in half measures, people that know me will testify to the fact that I always go for the best.”

Reeling out what he has achieved so far, Obiano pointed out that the major cities of Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha have been reclaimed from kidnappers and armed robbers, adding that so far, 177 kidnappers have been arrested, out of which 97 are currently undergoing prosecution.

He noted that their warehouses as well as where they keep their victims have been destroyed while cutting off their weapon supply route. “Anambra people can sleep with both eyes closed,” the governor said.

In agriculture, the governor said the state government has launched and started a revolution that would ensure food sufficiency and create massive employment in partnership with the Coscharis Group, a farm he noted was capable of producing 120,000 metric tons of rice per annum adding that it will also create about 1000 jobs for the youths.

Obiano said: “We have flagged off the construction of 14 new roads across Anambra, totalling up to 167.494 kilometres. We have also commenced the construction of three flyovers in Awka and one bridge that leads to the oil fields of Aguleri, also I have commissioned the longest road in Anambra which will start at Aguleri and terminate at Idah with seven bridges to go with it.

“The administration has rolled out a 10-year industrial development plan and commenced the development of new international model markets in Ogbunike, Oba, Awka and Umunze.

“Plans are in top gear to ensure that Anambra is recognised as Nigeria’s 10th oil producing state because we have what it takes.

“We have also cleared all outstanding arrears of pension and gratuity to 644 pensioners totalling up to the sum of N946, 571, 926.46k.

On building a befitting capital city, the governor said his government has have flagged off the construction of three flyovers and a three Arms Zone in Awka and also set up the new Awka Capital Territory Development Board saying that they will come up with a plan to transform Awka into a super-modern city the people would be proud of.

He noted that the administration has commenced a comprehensive collection of data on Anambra youths with a view to placing them in gainful employment.

“We have tested our own strength and seen that indeed, like our fathers before us, we are capable of great things but we have also realised that if we build only roads and bridges and forget the building of our social and psychological consciousness, our foundation for future greatness would have been laid on quick sand.

“The Spirit of Anambra is the inherent kinetic energy behind the numerous accomplishments of our people in commerce and industry, education, sports, literature & the arts, science, politics and other fields of human endeavour.

“It is the light we bear with us to every part of the world in pursuit of happiness and our readiness to absorb or be absorbed into diverse cultures of the world. The Spirit of Anambra is a high-achieving spirit that finds motivation in itself and fulfilment in the achievement of others.

“We are a great people of extra-ordinary heritage. Our heritage has been enriched by a profound clash of civilisations in the later stages of the 18th Century and the bitter experience of a civil war.

“We are a proud, hardworking and proud people with a capacity to adapt and flourish in any part of the world. We are individually brilliant but collectively we have yet to put our individual brilliance together to produce a mighty beam of light that will announce our presence on earth as a group. And that is why we are performing this segment of the ceremony today to mark the beginning of our collective quest for excellence as a group.”

The governor rounded off is speech with the launch of a new symbol for the state, adding that government has held fruitful deliberations with the leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly for the immediate passage of a parliamentary instrument that would facilitate the adoption of the new symbols of the socio-cultural identity of Anambra State.

According to governor Obiano, the identities include a new emblem, a new anthem and a new flag, as well as distinctive colours that is synonymous with Anambra State.

The gathering which had the presence of the clergy, traditional rulers, Nollywood actors and actresses, politicians and business men also witnessed the presence of a renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie who delivered a lecture called “for the renewal and retrieval of Igbo values by the people.”

The novelist said: “We can disagree and agree to disagree, but we should do so not as separate fractions and groups fighting each other constantly, but as people who ultimately have the same goal.”

Adichie applauded the governor for taking a bold step in dismantling the crime rings in the state within a short time in office, adding that the state would continue to march forward under his leadership if he sustains the tempo.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima said the state had witnessed a new philosophy of government under Obiano within a short period saying that Obiano’s 100 days in office was a special day in the annals of history of the state.

•Photo shows Obiano on the day he was sworn-in as governor on March 17, 2014.

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