My husband cares about the welfare of Ndi Anambra

By Emeka Ozumba

The Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has disclosed that the primary concern of her husband is the welfare of Ndi Anambra and the development of the communities. These formed the thrust of her message on Thursday when she visited Achalla, Amanuke, Urum, Mgbakwu and Isuanaocha communities in Awka North Local Government Area.

Mrs. Obiano who just returned from participating in series of programmes at the 61st Session of the United Nation’s Commission for the Status of Women (CSW), in New York, United States of America, under the auspices of her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) is already back on the road touring and has thus far visited over 125 of the 181 communities in the state.

Said Mrs. Obiano: “Our governor’s primary concern is welfare of Ndi Anambra. I can attest to this because the discussion is a staple on our dinner table and I can assure you that he is focused on leaving a worthy legacy. This is why apart from ensuring that everyone gets their due, and development of physical infrastructure, he builds institutions that like Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA), Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA) amongst others which are vehicles for implementing his people-oriented programmes.”

Mrs. Obiano told the crowd at the town squares to receive her that she embarked on the tour not just to reach the indigent and the less privileged but also to keep the locals abreast of what the government is doing and take feedback to the governor. She charged the villagers to ignore anyone who tries to extort them for any reason in the guise that it is for the governor or the wife, stressing that the governor is here to serve and hers, to support him and called on the people to maintain their support for the governor and his team.

The governor's wife expressed appreciation of the challenges identified in the welcome addresses on how the communities are usually cut-off during rainy season due to bad roads. She however assured the people that government records show that the ongoing roads projects in the area will extend to critical points to enable them evacuate their agricultural products.

She praised the industry of the rural woman and the doggedness of the artisans who have formed associations to coordinate ‎the group and achieve their objectives and encouraged them to take advantage of government assisted loan scheme to improve their businesses.

The governor’s wife enumerated laudable achievements of the Obiano administration which has positively impacted the lives of citizens of Anambra and galvanized economic activity in the rural areas. Such projects like the N20million Community-Choose-it-Your self-project she noted has helped the local community economy. She also highlighted the cushion created by the palliative measures of tax relief and abolishing of levies in local markets for petty traders, barrow pushers, Okada riders as well as abrogation of illegal levies in schools etc. as a positive action taken by a caring and sensitive governor who has the welfare of the people at heart. She therefore urged the people to pray for the governor and his team.

Mrs. Obiano also advised the women to take advantage of CAFÉ programmes which provides succor and empowerment to indigent women and widows. The CAFÉ projects include; Housing for indigent widows in each Senatorial zone, the building of Toilets in rural Markets across Anambra, as well as Skills Acquisition and empowerment training for over 2,500 women in various skills including; Tailoring and Fashion design, Soap making, Bakery and Confectionery, Hair dressing and Beauty Therapy, and Interior Decoration amongst other programmes.

In her remark, the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Victoria Chikwelu told the people that the empowerment tour is a yearly statutory obligation to the people which the wife of the governor has extended to towns in collaboration with her Ministry to ensure they feel the pulse of each community. The Commissioner informed the people of the government’s policy of special attention and care for the physically challenged, and urged them to apply for the ongoing employment of people with disabilities.

On his part, the Transition Chairman of Awka North Local Government Area praised the grassroots based development approach of the Obiano government which has ensured that he is touching previously neglected communities. He expressed the satisfaction and appreciation of people for the construction of Awka-Achalla-Urum roads, upgrade of the College of Agriculture at Mgbakwu to a Polytechnic and other projects, and assured that they are standing with Obiano to continue and complete his laudable programmes in the next five years.

The wife of the Governor, was also accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Nkem Okeke, the wife of the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, Iyom Mary Oye, the wife state Chairman of APGA, Mrs. Regina Obi, top government officials and party leaders.