The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has called for increased partnership and brotherly cooperation as the crème de la crème of Anambra made up of prominent sons and daughters supported by friends and well-wishers converged at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia in honour of the Governor’s invitation to inaugurate the State’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary with a modest but well attended dinner.
The governor made the call in a remark aptly titled “Please let’s do it together,” where he said that it was important for the people to forge a united front and think home especially in the face of increasing hostilities.
According to Obiano, “Ndi Anambra, I am standing here tonight to tell you that there is so much work to do to build a better future for our children but the government of Anambra State cannot do it all alone. I am standing here to remind you that the only way we can move this great state forward is to do it together, to think together, to push together and to build together! Experience has shown that when people work together, they always win!”
The governor stated that despite great efforts made by successive regimes to develop the state, Anambra was still work in progress, adding that at 25, there were many reasons to give thanks to God and celebrate.
He acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of the past leaders of the state as well as the exploits of great Ndi Anambra across various spheres of human endeavor which had brought fame and acclaim to the state and stressed that his administration was riding on the solid foundation they laid to take the state to the next level.
According to him, “It is a thing of joy to realise that since the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Ndi Anambra have never waited for any government to provide access roads, scholarships, electricity, community schools, town hall blocks, cottage industries and recreational facilities for them. We have always stepped out through the various Town Unions to push the boundaries of modernity in our communities”.
Describing the communal spirit that has been driving development in Anambra communities for ages, governor Obiano enthused that Anambra people do not “wait for the wind to change in our favour. We go against the wind and leave a large mark for generations yet unborn.”
Further extoling the people’s sense of community and enterprise, Governor Obiano harped on the diversity of talents that were available to the state.
“We have wealth creators and those who scatter riches. We have geniuses among us but we also have everyday people who continue to add drama to our everyday life. These are the attributes of a great household. There must be the good and the not-so-good children but they are all equally loved. Everyone is important to us. We cannot keep one and throw the other away. That is the spirit of Anambra. That is what has sustained our legend…The belief that where one thing stands, another thing stands beside it. Nothing ever stands alone in the philosophy of our people!”, he said.
Rallying the people together to forge a common front on what must be done to make the state a better place in the next 25 years, Governor Obiano advised Anambra’s many entrepreneurs to take advantage of the current conducive climate in the state and plough their investment homewards.
Finally, Governor Obiano made a strong appeal to the people, saying, “I wish to make a case for love and brotherhood among us. I wish to appeal for peace and harmony. Let us all beat our cudgels into ploughshares and trim this garden of possibilities called Anambra State! Let us embrace one another in love and celebrate our great state, our great history and our common humanity!”
Earlier, Deputy-governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke who was the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event welcomed the guests and explained that the idea of the celebration was to gather the people to thank God for His mercies upon the state which ensured that it remained on the path of growth and development despite the economic hardship in the country.
Proposing the Anniversary toast, the Commissioner for Information and Communication’s Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta described Anambra as the land of great men who were neither scared of challenges nor opportunities.
Other highlights of the night were a 30-minute documentary on Anambra at 25 which captured the history and milestones in the life of the state, the unveiling of the Anniversary Logo, stickers and lottery package as well as performances by the Police Band and the State Cultural Troupe.
The dinner which was part of activities kick-starting the celebrations which will climax in December 2016 was attended by distinguished Ndi Anambra from various walks of life notable of whom were a former Vice-president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Governor, Dame Virgie Etiaba, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Members of the National and State Assemblies, Traditional leaders led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe, religious leaders and the academia, captains of industries among others.
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