Governor Willie Obiano is not a change agent? by Kenechukwu Nweke back from Glasgow

Anambra State goes with the popular appellation ‘’The Light of the Nation’’. Keeping this in mind, can it be said that since 17th March 2014 when Willy Obiano took over as the Governor of the state, he has been able to fan the embers of the light to flame? Naysayers from the state would not easily give him kudos, but allies, I mean those with positive and optimistic attitude will, with delirious eagerness roll out drums in praises and accolades of his wonderful achievements.

In this intellectual and perceptual engagement by both sides, there is a general consensus of opinion that peace has returned to the state. Before the coming of the governor, the state was enmeshed in a theatre of fear, kidnapping and criminality. All these are gone.
Gone for good.  The state now enjoys peace and tranquility. Four months ago, I was in Glasgow for summer holiday. From my conversation with Mr. Ugochukwu  Umejiaku,  an Engineer from Anambra State who lives and works in Glasgow,  it was evident that he was  home sick. He confided in me that for a decade, he had not visited his home town. He did not visit home not because he had no money but because he was scared of the chronicles of stories from victims who were robbed, molested or kidnapped when they visited the state. Now, Mr. Umejiaku has gladly joined his family in his home town   in Anambra State for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In her own testimony, Miss Modester Nwannochili  speaks gloriously of  how the state has been turned into a peace haven.  In her words,” people can now move freely in the state without molestation. There is also a return of night life in the state while kidnapping has reduced considerably”.

The constant and recurring question by keen observers of social and political developments in the state is, ‘’How did Governor Obiano achieve this feat?’’ The answer is simple. Governor Obiano  is a good student of history. He would probably have learnt from Layne Beachley, an Australian lady who dealt with her feelings of loss and abandonment by setting a goal for herself that would prove her worth to the world and that was to become a world-champion surfer. Layne Beachley achieved her goal, winning the world title not once but a record seven times, making her the world’s greatest female surfer.  The lesson from this is that, to achieve anything in life, you have to believe that you can.  It is this belief demonstrated by Governor Obiano  in the governance  of Anambra State that surely won him and  the state the titles and accolades of a peacemaker and one of  the safest states in Nigeria.

Governor Obiano is indeed a holder of many titles. Apart from being a peace maker, he has also won for himself the title of ‘’The Peoples Governor.’’ Political observers in the state say he has brought human face to governance.  Giving credence to this title, the governor while presenting his 2016 budget proposal to the state Assembly, affirmed and I quote  “indeed, my administration has humanized governance  and assumed the remarkable  status of the human face of governance.
“ Not long ago, 25 prisoners serving different jail terms in the state were granted amnesty and handed a cheque  of N1million each  to enable them re-possess their lives. Salaries of workers in the state are not only paid regularly but recently increased by 15%. It is also on record  that N1.9 billion arrears  of salaries owed to the State Water Corporation staff   as well as the approximately  N1 billion pension  owed to local government retirees have been  cleared. The administration has also disbursed the sum of N733 million to mission schools, renovated 862 units of 10 classroom blocks and awarded scholarships estimated at N30 million to over 200 students.

Governor Obiano also has the title of ‘‘doing more with less’’. This title has since become the new mantra of his administration. For instance, the three flyovers in the three strategic locations in Awka, are nearing completion while work continues at a considerable pace on other roads and bridges, including the 47 kilometres road and bridges to the oil and gas fields in Anambra East. In line with his promise of continuity, the governor has so far paid the sum of N35.1 billion on all projects inherited from the last administration and N11.7 billion on projects so far initiated by his administration. He has also kept his promise of making Anambra State the 1st choice investment destination and hub for industries and commercial activities.

In January this year, a 28- man Trade Delegation from Thailand arrived in the state for investment opportunities. There were also the visits of the Irish Trade Mission and the UK Trade Mission to the state. These are clear testimonies of the boost and the efforts the Governor has brought to the state.

There are however challenges facing Governor  Obiano’s  administration such as lack of fund to embark on more ambitious projects and the uncooperative  attitude of  die hard  and pessimists of his administration. But the good news is that in the midst of all the challenges, he has been able to keep faith with the people of the state.
The lesson from the performance of this governor  is that human beings are the greatest inhibitors of themselves. Just believe that you can do it and the sky is your limit.


 Kenechukwu Nweke, a Political Analyst, writes from Abuja