. . . Says he tarred 1,000 km roads reengineered night life

The Anambra Development Union (ADU) on Friday celebrated a former governor the state, Willie Obiano on his 67th birthday, describing him as an “unsung hero”.

Among the achievements included tarring of over 1,000 kilometres of roads, engineering of nightlife in Anambra state and offsetting of N1.8 billion pension arrears.

The President of ADU, Alex Osaemeka, who said these in his speech delivered at the occasion said Obiano fondly called ‘Akpokuedike’, demonstrated commitment to and genuine love for the people, the state and Nigeria in general.

He listed the 67 projects that Obiano initiated and completed to include the first flyover in Awka, the state capital; the first digital databank for Anambra farmers and active situation room for progress monitoring and evaluation; introduction of Anambra rice; as well as introduction of the state’s brand with a new anthem, logo, core values and colours.

Osaemeka said: “As we celebrate the Akpokuedike today and many years to come, may we never forget that His Excellency tarred over 1,000 kilometres of roads in the state, was first in integrating social media and e-Governance, and was the most tolerable to rants, attacks and insults that come with leadership.

“He engineered nightlife in the state, thereby creating a 24-hour economy, built the International Convention Centre in the state, and restored the dignity of our traditional institutions by putting a stop to the idea of inviting and arresting monarchs by the Nigerian police, and gave them brand new Innoson vehicles.”

According to him, by making Anambra the first state in the South East and second to Rivers in Nigeria in the Fiscal Sustainability Index, Obiano remains the state’s unsung hero.

“With that singular feat in FSI, the former governor outperformed Lagos, Kano and 32 other states, just as he was able to offset N1.8bn pension arrears, while maintaining regular monthly payment in line with his promise to deliver on physical and human infrastructure,” he said.

Obiano, a native of Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, was born on August 8, 1957 and served as governor from March 17, 2014 to March 17, 2022.

Before his election into office as governor, he had worked with two First Bank and Fidelity Bank, and excelled as a top flight Auditor and Risk Analyst.

He became governor of Anambra state after his retirement from Fidelity Bank as Executive Director.

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