Please, Let’s Do It Together---Gov OBIANO

Remarks by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, during a Special Dinner to mark the 25th Anniversary of the State on Saturday, August 27, 2016

Ndi Anambra kwenu! Kwenu!! Kwenu!!! Kwezuenu o!
Umu nnem, on the 25th Anniversary of Anambra State, I am not standing here tonight, to tell you the history of our great state. Mbanu! We are all familiar with how our journey started as a state. Neither am I standing here to bore you with my account of stewardship as the governor in whose time, our beloved state turned 25. I think most of are fairly familiar with that too.

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! Umu nnem, this is probably the reason why after 25 years of efforts by successive regimes to make this state a better place, Anambra is still work in progress.

Nevertheless, at this juncture, I must not fail to acknowledge the great sacrifices made by so many illustrious indigenes of Anambra State to drive the wheels of development in our communities. 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 … and where necessary, our illustrious brothers and sister have taken it upon themselves to build important amenities in their communities as their personal contributions to community progress. So, Anambra has many philanthropists who find fulfilment in spreading joy in our communities. That is a heritage we share, umu nnem. Among us are also great entrepreneurs who have not only contributed to the growth of the nation’s economy but have also created thousands of jobs to keep our youths off the streets. Ndi Anambra, that is who we are! That is the famous Anambra spirit. We don’t wait for the wind to change in our favour. We go against the wind and leave a large mark for generations yet unborn. Anyi bu Odogwu! Odogwu aburo guy name! Unu anakukwa aka ebe aoo!

Dalunu! Ndi Anambra, this is a dinner. So, I must not speak too long. But before I take my seat here tonight to celebrate with you all, I must also acknowledge our great sons and daughters who have done us proud in Nigeria and across the world. These include the school children who have represented Nigeria in world debate championships, scientists who have contributed to human advancement, writers and thinkers who have changed the perception of the very idea of the black as a human being, bankers whose ideas have changed Nigeria’s financial landscape, traders and businessmen and women who have dominated commerce across Africa and of course the members of the clergy whose prayers have kept things in the balance for every one of us here. Anambra nwelu ebu, nwe nfu! We have wealth creators and those who scatter riches. We have geniuses among us but we also have madmen and women 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! Umu nnem, okwa eziokwu kam kwulu?

Ladies and gentlemen, as we brace up for the challenges before us in the next 25 years, we may do well to remember that my team and I have created the enabling environment that we have all been waiting for. Anambra is the safest state in Nigeria at the moment. Take my word for it! We have mastered the counter-response strategy to emergency situations like kidnapping. We have also set up the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency ANSIPPA to help our people set up their businesses here. ANSIPPA makes the process of investing in our dear state very easy. Bikonu, tell our brothers and sisters across the world to think Anambra when they think of investment. Tell them to think Anambra when they are thinking of setting up a new business. Please, remind them of what our ancestors mean by the saying Aku luo uno, amalu onye kpalu ya! Ndi Anambra must bring their wealth home!

Finally, 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!

Ndi Anambra, let us holds hands together as one tonight and say NEVER AGAIN to the bitter quarrels of yesterday. Above all, let us remember that United, we stand but Divided we fall. Maka na anyuko mamili onu, ogbo ufufu!

It is on this note that I urge everyone here tonight to stand up and join me in singing a birthday song for our dear state.

Oya, common everybody! Let’s sing –
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you Anambra!
Happy Birthday to you!
Hip Hip Hip – Hurray!
Umu nnem, as settle back to our seats, we shall show you a little documentary that tries to capture the power and the glory of Anambra State in 30 minutes.

I wish you a Happy viewing experience!
Dalunu.
Willie Obiano
Governor
Owelle Onyeka Mbaso
SSA Political to Gov. Obiano
Support Gov. Obiano's Administration and APGA
Willie is Working, QED.