Celebrating Peter Obi’s legacies by Prof Pat Uche Okpoko

Leadership is the pivotal element in any development equation. Whether for a small unit, conglomerate or geo-political entity, the quality of management will largely determine the nature and extent of progress (or regress) attained.
A visionary and focused leader would guide his people, while the one with clouded purposes would become a nightmare for the citizenry.
Governance is not some cryptic expression, but a series of processes which generates a range of outcomes –from the positive to the negative. In an environment long bereft of quality leadership, it is always refreshing to celebrate the few who have excelled. That way, we can assure ourselves that all is not lost for our dear country.
About a year ago, mid-March 2014, Peter Obi concluded his second term as governor of Anambra State in South-East Nigeria. Easily more than most other state chief executives, his tenure had witnessed an amazing mix of travails and giant development strides. All through his campaign for the 2003 governorship elections, his primary poser to the people of the state was: “Is Anambra Cursed or Are We the Cause?” As he traversed the length and breadth of the state, he contended that Anambra was not under any curse; but that it was the people themselves who had to rescue it. Increasingly, the people regained their faith in God and their self-worth, and gave him their support.
Even when he was rigged out of his deserved victory in favour of Dr. Chris Ngige, nobody heard him criticising the incumbent on any of his decisions. When some vital state assets were burned down, he promptly condemned the act and urged Dr. Ngige to stay focused on governance. In the meantime, he calmly adopted due process to regain his mandate, which he got some three years later.
Illegally impeached but restored to office in his first term, Governor Obi demonstrated unusual magnanimity to his orchestrated traducers. Among others, he insisted that the offending House of Assembly Speaker (Hon. Balonwu) be retained, against the wishes of majority of the legislators, executives and citizenry. That is the man of faith, Peter Obi.
Mid-way into his tenure, he further shocked the nation and Anambra watchers when he informed a group of civil society organisations (CSOs) that his administration had commenced a comprehensive savings plan. Many of us were sceptical; what with the massive development projects he had embarked on even as the State was not an oil producing area with the benefit of oil derivation funds.
As if that was not enough – just before the end of his tenure, – Governor Obi announced to a stunned audience that Anambra State had accumulated savings to the tune of N75 billion – denominated into assets as well as local and foreign currencies. The audience, not one to be toyed with, included former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; heads of  churches in the state, CSOs and media executives. A recent inquiry with a senior banker revealed that the foreign currency savings bequeathed by the Obi administration, which was $156, 000 million then (variously in Fidelity Bank US$56 million; Access Bank, US$50 million; and Diamond Bank, US$50million), which he presented publicly in the presence of the referred banks CEOs, has, with interest, appreciated to about $171, 500.000 million.
A curious enquiry at the Bureau de change showed on their board that the exchange rate is now N228 to the dollar.  With the above exchange rate, the money now stands at approximately N39 billion. This excludes the local currency and assets components of the savings. If one follows the same calculation, it will now amount to about N100 billion, without putting into consideration additional savings from his successor, Willie Obiano, which I believe that based on his electoral promises has continued the savings culture.  At a time various states in Nigeria are saddled with huge debt profile, unpaid salaries and other monetary obligation, Nigerians should celebrate this outstanding vision, commitment and sacrifice for our dear country by Mr. Obi. He should be honoured for this singular act, as I have never heard in this country, of any Nigerian leader bequeathing to his successor savings, not to talk about savings in foreign currency, that is over 15 per cent of the entire countries Sovereign Wealth Fund.  All we hear is huge debt profile.
Many Nigerians have wondered why he left so much for his successor and did not simply retire it in sync with the greedy venality of the generality of the political class. But again, that is the man of vision, Peter Obi.  Though the attainments of his tenure as governor have been variously documented, it will bear repetition to draw attention to their unique qualities. The Obi administration’s programme of action was tagged Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS); a novel, multi-sectoral initiative fashioned within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of  Eradication of Extreme Poverty & Hunger, Gender Equality & Women Empowerment, Reduction of Child Mortality, Boost to Maternal Health, Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnership in Development. In spite of trip-wires laid on his path, Peter Obi successfully implemented the ANIDS, and with tremendous impact for the public and private sectors alike.
In the first instance, he invested in institutional structures, encompassing the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary –empowering them to perform their roles effectively. The outcomes included generating Master Plans for three major cities (Awka, Onitsha & Nnewi); instilling transparency in the conduct of government business; strengthening the infrastructural base of the State (Anambra was acknowledged as having the best and most extensive road network in the country); waste and emergency management, housing development; concrete support for primary, secondary & tertiary healthcare and educational services, and many others.
The Obi administration firmly rooted the youths with the Anambra State Youth Re-Orientation & Empowerment Programme (ANSYREP). Incorporating character development and vocational training, the scheme has boosted the basic industriousness of the people to grow cottage industries, among others. Similarly, he launched a Youth Employment Fund, with much emphasis on agriculture and agro-business. The government provided the seed money, while individuals and private organizations have been making their donations to the Fund. Peter Obi has since been utilizing his extensive private-sector contacts to provide further opportunities for Anambra youths.
In acknowledgement of the increasing role of ICT, his government collaborated with relevant organisations to inculcate ICT competencies in the state’s public and private sectors to enhance competitiveness and corporate governance. In effect, every local government area of the state had a functional Microsoft Academy, even as virtually all secondary schools in the state were given computer equipment and accessories.

Right from his first tenure, Peter Obi took on the hydra-headed challenges of insecurity and impunity. Under him, Anambra State became the second in the country (after Lagos) to launch a Security Trust Fund. In a comprehensive promotion of collective responsibility, he provided concrete support for security agencies, the State’s 177 autonomous communities and their vigilante groups. Edicts were enacted to indict traditional rulers who conferred chieftaincy titles on those “without day-time means of livelihood,” while the property of known kidnappers and related felons were demolished. More telling, traditional rulers and Presidents-General of communities experiencing frequent violent crimes were to be sacked and handed over to the Police for prosecution.
Governor Peter Obi stabilised basic education in Anambra State. He took the courageous decision to hand over more than 1, 000 schools to their initial missionary-owners; with the novel understanding that government will continue to cater to staff salaries, while the missions will be in charge of general administration. Beyond these, he provided strong financial and other resources to tertiary institutions, including the State University, colleges of education, college of agriculture, schools of nursing & midwifery and even federal-owned institutions, among others.
Public and private health establishments also received regular boosts in funds, equipment and executive capacity. Governor Obi’s rationale for support to private health services was that those institutions catered primarily to indigenes of the state, like in the case of the private schools.
Given the strategic place of agriculture, the Obi administration invested prudently to enhance activities and performance of the sector. Included here were provision of motorcycles, tractor services, implements, a range of inputs and agro-chemicals to farmers at subsidised rates. Capacity was also boosted with improved funding and expansion of the College of Agriculture, which now boasts of professional staff, modern hostels and laboratories.
Commerce and industry were also given decent attention. Among others, Onitsha now has an ultra-modern Business Park, complete with banks, stock exchange, securities & exchange, capital market brokerage and ICT facilities. Developed with private partnership, the park has since been generating revenue for both the government and investors. The transformation of the stretch from the Niger Bridge head through Upper Iweka to Zik’s Roundabout is a marvel to view and drive on. Against all odds of entrenched predatory interests, Peter Obi mobilized the will and resources to effect this enduring transformation.
The Obi administration actively explored and exploited partnerships with the private sector; and attracted significant support from such Development Partners as the Bank of Industry (BoI), UN Children’s Fund, World Bank, British Department for International Development (DfID), UNDP, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Japan International Co-operation Agency, European Union (EU), US Agency for International Development (USAID), Shelter Afrique, Cities Alliance Group, UN-Habitat, International Finance Corporation, WHO, and African Development Bank. In Peter Obi’s time, quite a number of diplomatic missions and international conglomerates also visited the State to explore areas of mutual co-operation.
It is on record that he neither borrowed money from any quarters, nor did he default in his State’s counterpart contributions on joint ventures.
The first two-term Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has been acclaimed and honoured from within and outside the country. These include: Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON); Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, Pope and Marty – by Pope Francis 1 for his good work and personification of sound Christian principles in public service; Honorary Presidential Adviser on Finance & active member, Nigeria Economic Management Team; two-term Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum; & Chairman of seven-term Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum; 2011 Zik Leadership Prize in Good Governance – by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre; Best Performing Governor on the eradication of polio in South-East Nigeria – by Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation (with a cash prize of  N120 million); ThisDay Newspaper Best Governor on Fiscal Management; The Sun Newspaper Man of the Year;  The Voice Newspaper Achievers Award 2014  for outstanding example in Leadership and Governance; Choice Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention – by Association of Anambra Women  (ASA), USA; The Golden Award on Prudence – by the Methodist Church of Nigeria as the most financially prudent governor in Nigeria; Very Good Financial Planner and Manager – by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion for his resourcefulness and creativity in governance; Leadership and Good Governance Award  by The Ezeife Leadership Foundation for restoring peace and harmony to Anambra State; Silverbird Man of the Year Award (jointly with Governor Fashola of Lagos State) for the uncommon development of their states and introducing new norms in governance; Leadership Excellence Award – by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV); The Best Governor on the Implementation of the MDG; Fellowship of the Canon Law Society of Nigeria for living the ethics of Christ in governance; ICT Governor of the Year – by the West Africa ICT Development Award;  among many others.
Commendations have also come from the EU: It important to have people of high integrity like Peter Obi; DfID: Obi’s commendable performance in office led us to classify his government as reformist; NAPEP: “Obi … remained determined and dogged by initiating effective economic empowerment programmes; the World Bank: … an exceptional leader and very prudent in financial management … his interest is to better the lots of his people; BoI: Obi was the first governor … to approach the Bank of Industry for collaboration to create job opportunities for the people of the State. He understands the dynamics of the economy; Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council: “Obi has created the enabling environment to fast-track industrial growth and development … Through steady positive transformation, (he) restored peace and stability to the state, thus encouraging the people … to live dignified life; UNICEF: … Anambra is among UNICEF’s strongest partners in Nigeria. I commend Obi for his commitment to children, prompt payment of counterpart funding, involvement in the development of education, scaling-up of skill acquisition centres and giant strides in the Millennium Development Goals and leadership in Water and Sanitation Programme.
ANIDS is truly a study in commitment to meaningful development, with the human element taking centre-stage. On this integrated platform, Peter Obi aimed at several targets and scored many direct hits. He should be celebrated as a veritable role model of good governance, to be emulated not just by incumbent Governors, but by those aspiring to positions of public trust. He must be factored into the mainstream of national development to play greater roles in the management of public affairs.
• Prof.  Okpoko , University of Nigeria, Nsukka