Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed his appreciation to prominent indigenes whose unflinching support has helped to stabilise the state, making it possible for his administration to record great achievements in less than one year in office. He said, but for the enormous support his administration had enjoyed from many illustrious citizens of the state, it would have been difficult to expand the frontiers of development with so much result in such a short time.

Obiano, who used the opportunity of the appreciation message to dispel rumours on the social media that he made disparaging remarks about Prince Arthur Eze and Chief Chris Uba, noted that the support he had received from prominent indigenes like Prince Arthur Eze, whose donation of US$1 million to the Anambra State Security Fund last year marked the turning point in the fight against criminals in the state.

His words: “We are lucky to have been enjoying the support of Prince Engr Arthur Eze. I recall that the $1million that he donated to our security fundraising marked a watershed in our efforts to create a safe and secure Anambra State. He also stood firmly behind me when we marked the formal burial of our brothers and sisters who died in the Civil War, and other conflicts that have plagued Nigeria since its creation. We are grateful to him for that gesture and his continued support to my administration.”

Describing the allegations on the social media as the effort of some elements who are frustrated that Anambra has shaken off the old days of needless war drums, the governor added: “You must know that naturally, some people are not happy at the progress we have made in the past one year. Some people are not happy with the unity and brotherhood they see among our many distinguished citizens. So, where there is no dispute they try to create one. Engr Arthur Eze and Chief Chris Ubah are illustrious sons of Anambra State. I hold them in the highest esteem,”

The governor stressed that beside his huge donation to the security efforts of the state, Eze has continued to identify with the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) led government in Anambra State, “even when he is a major financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

Governor Obiano, however, described him as a true son of Igbo land whose philanthropic gesture knows no bound, citing the empowerment of widows of the South-East zone, and his active participation in Ozoemezina: Remembrance Day of Igbo victims of World War II, Nigeria-Biafra war and other conflicts in the country, as outstanding gestures of Chief Eze.

The governor said he was deeply touched by the overwhelming support of Ndi Anambra, which came to the fore during the first Stakeholders Summit held at Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, noting that it re-enforced his belief that a strong and united Anambra would facilitate the realisation of the mission and vision of his administration. He recalled that the massive investment inflow into the state, which stemmed from the fact that Anambra had become secure to investors, was made possible by the huge support he has so far received from great Anambra sons and daughters.

He noted: “Those peddling these stories in our midst are known. Those sponsoring them are also known to us. Their wish is that Anambra will disintegrate for their own selfish interest. But God has already taken control.”

•Photo shows Arthur Eze.

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