Ahead of marking his one year in office, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has expressed his deepest gratitude to prominent indigenes of the state whose unflinching support has helped to stabilize the state, making it possible for him to record massive achievements in the past one year.
Speaking in Awka on Tuesday, Governor Obiano noted that but for the enormous support his administration had enjoyed from many illustrious citizens of the state, it would have been an uphill task to expand the frontiers of development with so much result in such a short time.
The governor pointedly observed that he was particularly humbled by the support he had received from prominent indigenes like Prince Engr. Arthur Eze whose donation of $1million USD to the Anambra State Security Fund last year marked the turning point in the all-out fight against criminals in the state.
“We are lucky to have been enjoying the support of Prince Engineer Arthur Eze. I recall that the $1million that he donated to our security fundraising marked a watershed in our efforts to create a safe and secure Anambra State. He also stood firmly behind me when we marked the formal burial of our brothers and sisters who died in the Civil War and other conflicts that have plagued Nigeria since its creation. We are grateful to him for that gesture and his continued support to my administration,” Governor Obiano stated.
The governor also used the opportunity to dismiss a story on social media that alleged that he made some disparaging remarks about Prince Engr Eze and Chief Chris Ubah describing it as the effort of some elements who are frustrated that Anambra has shaken off the old days of needless war drums.
“You must know that naturally, some people are not happy at the progress we have made in the past one year. Some people are sad at the unity and brotherhood they see among our many distinguished citizens. So, where there is no dispute they try to create one. Prince Engr Eze and Chief Chris Ubah are illustrious sons of Anambra State. I hold them in the highest esteem,” Governor Obiano further added.
Obiano further stated that beside his huge donation to the security efforts of the state, Prince Eze has continued to identify with APGA-led government in Anambra State even when he is a major financier of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Describing Prince Eze as a true son of Igboland whose philanthropic gesture knows no bound, the governor cited the empowerment of widows of the South-East zone, and his active participation in the Ozoemezina Remembrance Day of Igbo victims of War World, Biafra War and other conflicts in the country as some of the things that stand Prince Engr Eze apart.
Governor Obiano also explained that he was deeply touched by the overwhelming support of Ndi Anambra which came to the fore during the first Stakeholders Summit held at Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, saying that it re-enforced his belief that a strong and united Anambra would facilitate the realization of the Mission and Vision of his administration for Ndi Anambra.
The governor recalled that the massive investment inflow into the state which stemmed from the fact that Anambra had become secure to investors following the huge support that his efforts to combat crime received from Ndi Anambra.
