Highly affluent Anambra indigenes living in Abuja and the surrounding areas of the Federal Capital Territory turned up in large numbers on Thursday to throw their financial muscle behind their governor, Chief Willie Obiano, collectively pooling about N100m to boost his campaign against insecurity in the state.
The indigenes who thronged the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Center venue of the first fundraising were unanimous in declaring their support to Chief Obiano’s efforts to rid the state of organized crime.
Moved by the footages of Chief Obiano’s activities as captured in a documentary shown at the venue, the people declared their readiness to lend unflinching support to the governor to ensure a faithful pursuit of all the goals of his administration.
Speaking at the event, Chief Mrs Agakpo (the Ada di ora nma) commended the governor’s courageous crackdown on criminals in the state, pointing out that insecurity had been the bane of development in Anambra State for far too long.
Recalling a particularly traumatic experience that she had suffered in the hands of the underworld in the state, a PDP Women Leader, Chief Mrs. Ogugua-Agakpo observed that Chief Obiano’s heavy-handed crackdown on criminals was long overdue.
“My family has been a victim of organized crime in Anambra State. My father, an 80-year-old man, was kidnapped last year when he was returning home from church. We did everything within our power to track him. I went all the way to Israel to get a tracking device but all it could do was to lead us to the discovery of his corpse. It was a traumatic experience but I am happy that Governor Obiano is doing something serious about kidnapping in Anambra State,” Chief Mrs. Ogugua-Agagbo narrated.
According to her, affluent indigenes of the state would do well to support the efforts of the governor as it was in the overall interest of everyone that Anambra should be free of crime.
In his own remarks, Chief Patrick Chidolue, the Chairman of Chelsea Group called on his fellow Anambra indigenes to stand to heed the clarion call and support the governor’s efforts to reclaim the state from the grip of criminals.
According to him, anyone who had eyes to see could tell that the state had changed for good under governor Obiano. Observing that the challenges faced by residents of the state in the hands of hoodlums in the past had denied the state of huge investments, he implored the people to make generous financial donations to the on-going campaign as it was crucial for the survival of the state.
Similarly, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, Chiarman of The Dome Group lauded Governor Obiano’s vision and leadership style describing his approach as a completely new paradigm in the administrative history of the state.
“We have seen a complete paradigm shift. We have seen intellectualism in government. We have seen creativity and we have seen the power of vision in governance. We thank you for your firm resolve to change Anambra State,” Dr. Okonkwo declared and called on Ndi Anambra in all walks of life to rally round their governor.
Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Obiano had observed“that all over the world, freedom and progress are usually earned and not bestowed. Ndi Anambra, we must earn our freedom from fear and insecurity!” he decalerd.
Said he; “As we launch a new phase of strategies that will free Anambra State from the clutches of criminals, we need your moral and financial support. My administration has demonstrated the resolve and the capacity to win this war and banish kidnappers and violent criminals from our midst.”
Narrating the exploits of his administration in his first 100-days, Chief Obiano declared, “We have indeed made progress in Anambra State. We have regained our freedom from the enemies of liberty and once again, Anambra State is ready to lead the charge for the return of Ndigbo as an economic power-block in Nigeria since the Civil War. We are fully aware that the journey ahead may be difficult and slow but we are not looking for a quick fix. We shall be relentless in our push to expand the frontiers of excellence in Anambra State and beyond.
“I am proud to announce that Awka has finally started to show the signs of an emerging city with the return of a vibrant night life. I have been reliably informed that Ndi Anambra now feel safe enough to come out at night to test their new freedom and share the joys of the new Anambra. There is a new sense of hope, a new self-belief, a new beginning that has enveloped our daily lives in Anambra State and I invite you all to come home and experience it first-hand.”
Prominent Anambra indigenes graced the occasion which also featured the formal presentation of the new cultural symbols of the state.
