Democracy Day: Nigeria Wasteland Of Dead And Dying Dreams , Says Governor Obiano

                                             

As Nigeria marks her 15^th anniversary of uninterrupted practice of democracy in the country, Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has expressed hope that peace will eventually come to the land despite the turbulent times. 

In his Democracy Day Speech to commemorate the event in Awka, the State capital,  Governor Obiano recalled that when  democracy took roots in the country 15 years ago, Nigeria was a wasteland of dead and dying dreams,” and “we had wandered in the wilderness of dictatorship for many years with only occasional glimpses of democracy.

Our youths fled Nigeria in droves to known and unknown places across the globe in pursuit of a better future. Unemployment raged like a harmattan wind and all over the country, there was fear and uncertainty.”

Governor Obiano noted that since the seed of the tree of liberty was planted in 1999, Ndi Anambra, stand under the soothing protective shadow of that tree; and called on all “to raise  our heads together as one beyond the present dark clouds that gather in the horizon of our collective freedom and affirm our faith in a united and free Nigeria.“

The governor however expressed dismay that in the last five years, “we have watched in utter horror as the dark designs of the merchants of terror eat away at the very foundations of our liberty. We are astonished at their wanton violation of the age-old respect for the sanctity of human life as well as their brazen disregard of all civilized conventions of armed conflict that emphasize the protection of women and children at all times and in all situations. With every new act of terror, it becomes clearer to us that a season of anomie has set upon us and we need faith in each other to see the next day. Every new bomb that explodes in the streets is a huge test to our democracy and the freedom it brings.

Obiano however assured Ndi Anambra that “we shall survive this hurricane, and to fellow Nigerians, he reiterated “we shall win this war!” He buttressed his conclusions on the positive reactions from the rest of humanity to every bomb that has exploded in Nigeria, stressing that we are assured of our eventual triumph over these turbulent times.

Furthermore Governor Obiano said “When we stand still and listen to the chant of school children across the world imploring these terrorists in the Sambisa Forest to Bring Back our Girls, we find courage in the kinship of the human community. When we pause and ponder over the great efforts and commitment of the federal government to this struggle, when we hear the soothing assurances of the United States of America, the UK, France, China and all of Nigeria’s friends and allies, we become more certain that eventually, the light of liberty shall fall on this present darkness.

“We are reminded that we are not alone; and that a threat to human freedom somewhere is a threat to human dignity everywhere. We are assured that one day; HOPE will rise once again from the present DESPAIR!”

The governor anchored his belief in the end to Boko Haram terrorism and other insurgencies in the country on the fact that almost every known climate of oppression in human history has eventually given way to the bright sunlight of freedom, citing Apartheid, Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Libya under Ghadaffi and a many other atrocious cases of man’s inhumanity to man, reiterating that “Boko Haram and its sponsors and promoters shall eventually pass away and Nigeria shall be free again!”

Using Anambra State as a case study in the general anomie that has beset the country in recent times, governor Obiano noted that the people of the state for several unbroken years, were victims of organized crime, in which “Daredevil Criminal gangs prowled our streets and communities, robbing us blind and holding their fellow human beings in captivity in exchange for ransom. For years, my people lived in fear – not fear of the unknown or the fear of strangers but the fear of our own brothers and sisters who for the love of hot cash and instant gratification have decided to point their guns backwards. While the climate of fear they unleashed on us prevailed, our freedom died. It died hard!”

The governor disclosed that the situation in the State is quite different today as “the people who once denied Ndi Anambra a peaceful sleep are either on the run or in captivity. Those who denied us freedom are presently having a taste of their own medicine.”

The State Chief Executive enunciated some of the  achievements recorded in less than two months in office including launching a long term offensive against criminals and rooting out drug dealers from their secret cells as well as cutting off their supply lines.

In the same vein, Obiano assured that his government is working at replacing the guns in the hands of the youths with offer letters for jobs and seed monies for small scale businesses. Also ongoing is   a data capturing exercise that will provide a rich statistics on the youths with a view to matching their skills to job openings. He urged the idle youths to turn around today and head to their local government headquarters and participate in this registration exercise.

The governor reassured that “there is hope for Anambra State! My team and I are resolved to ensure that you get the full benefits of democracy and justify the confidence you reposed in me when you cast your votes for APGA in November last year.”

He highlighted the inauguration of a Board for the development of Awka into a modern city, the flag off of the construction of bridge across Omambala River to the oil field of Anambra State, with incentives to attract more investments to the sector and announced that plans are underway to remodel our markets and transform Onitsha into a leading industrial center and make the famous Ogbunike cave a major tourist attraction and relaxation spot.

According to governor Obiano, “this democracy has given us so much that we now have a historical responsibility to preserve it for our children and their own children after them. I implore you to report any suspicious movement in your community and neighbourhood to the police. In doing this, let us be reminded that according to Wendell Phillips, famous American abolitionist, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”

Governor Obiano commended President Goodluck Jonathan for attracting the sympathy and support of Nigeria’s many friends to the current efforts to bring back our girls, and appealed to the people of the State to remain steadfast in their prayers for the peaceful reuniting of the Chibok girls to their parents and loved ones.