Governor Obiano

Ahead of the inauguration of Anambra governor, Chief Willie Obiano for second term, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Emeka Okonkwo, has called on “all well-meaning citizens of the State to support the governor in order to surpass his accomplishments in the previous term.”

He also congratulated the Governor, on his inauguration, describing it as a huge endorsement from the people on how he has handled the affairs of the state in the last four years.

In a statement in Awka, Okonkwo, Publisher of Anambra State Compendium, an 800-page book on the people and their general way of life, described the governor’s renewed mandate as a victory for Ndi Anambra as well as an “endorsement for hard work, which should serve as an inspiration to every citizen of the state”.

The feat, he added, equally underscores the age-long value of positive leadership and reward that is purely based on merit.

He said: “The overwhelming support for APGA at the last election, was a testament to the laudable performance of Governor Willie Obiano in the state. We are delighted to note that Ndi Anambra have come to recognise and also appreciate good governance”.

Okonkwo stressed that under Obiano, Anambra has become the fastest developing state in Nigeria, adding that it was in appreciation of that commitment to service that made the people return him for another term.

Chief Okonkwo: Publisher, Anambra State Compendium

According to the publisher, the Obiano factor in achieving excellence, finds place in the theme of the Anambra State Compendium, that would soon be presented to the public.

The 800-page publication, had, incidentally been described by the governor in the introduction section, as “a detailed pictorial-based reference manual on the history, people and government of Anambra state, 25 five years after its creation”, adding “We have tried to x-ray in pictures and prose the beautiful story of Anambra people.”

Giving insight into the idea behind the book which chronicles the state’s history, rich cultural heritage, traditional and government institutions, as well as its tourism potential and great leaders (past and present), in different fields of endeavour, the Governor added; “We sincerely hope that the information contained in the impressive compendium on Anambra state will help ginger future generations of citizens of the State to surpass the toils and great accomplishments of the outstanding beacons and icons of the state as well as its  past and present leaders.”

Anambra prides itself as a state whose greatest asset is its human capital. The state is known to have produced great men and women with outstanding accomplishments. These are the people among other beautiful heritage that the new book has acknowledged.

For instance, the compendium elaborately celebrates the likes of Sir. Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, who it describes as “an exceptional entrepreneur, a pioneer of private enterprise in Nigeria and unarguable, the nation’s first multibillionaire who at his death was reported to be worth over $40 billion”.

It also paid glowing tributes to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first Nigeria’s President General; Dr. Nwafor Orizu, first Senate President; the first female Head of Service, Engineer Ebele Okeke, among other such pioneers in their areas of operations.

The book also records the great feats achieved by revered personalities such as the late Biafran Head of State, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, (Ikemba Nnewi), literary giant, Chinua Achebe, Father Tansi, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyoku, Second Republic Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, Cardinal Arinze and renowned artist, Ben Enwonwu, whose work recently broke an African record by selling at over a million British pound sterling.

The Compendium also recounts the role of activist, Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, in the famous Aba Women Revolt, revealing that the late women leader was from Anambra state and not Cross River state, as many had thought.

According to the book, Ekpo, who died in 2006 at the age of 92, was born on July 27, 1914, to Mr & Mrs Okorafor Obiasulor, from Agulu-Ezigbo, Anaocha local government area of Anambra state.

Olaudah Equino, one of the first liberated slaves in America, was as well recorded as an indigene of Anambra state. The book noted him as “as a first known Nigerian writer and publisher” who used his works to campaign extensively for the abolition of slavery and slave trade.”