Gov has shown commitment to development
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday said that he knew the height he wanted to take the state to before he was elected in 2014 as the chief executive.
Obiano, who said that governance was not rocket science, added that he was not an accidental governor. The governor spoke shortly after he was honoured with the New Telegraph Award for Outstanding Governor of the Year 2016 in Lagos.
Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, at the event, said that he came to power with an idea of what he wanted to do. He further said that a good leader must be transparent, accountable, sit down and look at the state he wants to govern in terms of its comparative advantage. He said: “Being a leader is not rocket science, but simple commitment; commitment to do what is right.
The governor is committed and dedicated to the development and progress of the state. “The resources for him to work are not there. When we came on board, the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state was about N500 million and we have raised it to N1.2 billion and we are working towards raising it to the level of N2.2 billion monthly.
“I thank the management and the Board of Directors of New Telegraph for the Award of an Outstanding Performance and I believe that it will spur him to do more for the state.
We have four or eight years to leave a legacy, but Governor Obiano has left a legacy in three years in office and I believe he will make Anambra a better state by the time he finishes his first term and, maybe, God willing, he will do a second term.”
Also speaking at the event, The former minister, who urged all media organisations to emulate New Telegraph’s gesture aimed at encouraging active stewardship and good governance, also advised Obiano to get the attention of his colleagues in the South-East states and press further for closer political association between governors and the people of all the South-Eastern states.
“Governor Obiano should strive even further to get the attention of his colleagues within the South-East to work even closer together within development policy areas and in providing infrastructure cost effectively beyond their respective borders to the entire states linking South- East and South-South to other contiguous zones for development of the entire South and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria and in extending linkages to the Northern zones of the nation.
“Governor Obiano should press further for closer political association between governors and the people of all the South- Eastern states. former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, commended the Anambra State governor, describing him as thoughtful.
Kalu said that Obiano has exhibited serious commitment to the development of infrastructure, agricultural production based on the state’s rich endowment for grains and other staples.
The former finance minister said that the recent commendation of the governor by Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo, was a confirmation of the governor’s excellent service to the state.
The chairman, who noted that he was significantly impressed by the activities of the governor since he assumed leadership of the state, added that his headship has successfully tackled and still tackling issues in key sectors such as education, health and in the very important cultural and social areas.
He said: “I am happy to observe that Governor Obiano has continued to play the vital role of mobilising all segments of Anambra State, following on the footsteps of his predecessors.”
“I also use this opportunity to call for a more conscious and active involvement of the people of the South-East and South-South in the major parties of the nation as a conscious and deliberate prelude towards the evolution as a modern viable two alternative party structure that will serve the purpose of strengthening peace and stability of the Nigerian political space,” Kalu said.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Telegraph, Alhaji Idi Farouk, in his remark, commended the governor for his investment in the youth and for fighting crimes and insecurity in the state. According to the chairman, the choice of Governor Obiano for the award was not an accident and the decision was aimed at rewarding excellence in service, particularly at a time when service to humanity is rare to come by among the nation’s leaders. He said:
“New Telegraph is not frivolous with its awards and I make bold to say that today in Nigeria, Chief Willie Obiano is the person whose head fits the cap of this award.
“I know the kind of economy you inherited when you came to power, horrible deficit, which you have now turned around to be a huge economy; this is why you deserve this award and this why New Telegraph is honouring you.
“I know the governor is in the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), but I know that in a very near future our path will cross.”
He also commended the staff and management of New Telegraph Newspapers for building a veritable platform, which he noted, is now one of the nation’s most read newspapers.
“About three years ago, a visionary Nigerian, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, founded New Telegraph Newspapers and in three years, New Telegraph has become the most read newspaper and this is because we have a very active workforce headed by Mrs. Funke Egbemode. Also, some of our editors are the best materials.
I want to thank this incredible workforce for bringing this newspaper from scratch to the enviable height it is today,” Farouk added. Also, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Egbemode, said the choice of the governor was a product of intensive debate among members of the company’s board and management, saying the decision was never taken on the spur of the moment.
According to her, New Telegraph was impressed by the efforts of the governor to rewrite the history of the state, especially in the areas of security, infrastructure and business innovations.
She said unlike other states where governors are considering hiking taxes and just mulling diversification, Governor Obiano has approved rebate on taxes to small businesses and artisans, while export of vegetables has commenced in earnest.
She added that the award presentation was to encourage good governance and inspire others to emulate the Anambra helmsman.
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