Commentary: No State Like Anambra In Four Years

WRITTEN BY CHINEDU NZERIBE
No state in Nigeria has in the last four years recorded as much progress as Anambra State in various areas. There are myriads of achievements which have made the state the most competitive in Nigeria. 
Anambra students won the Golden Prize in the prestigious Technovision Competition held in the United States. Students from Regina Pacae Model Secondary School, Onitsha, defeated students from the United States of America and many other countries of the world right in the home of Information technology to get this global award.
Anambra State students represented Nigeria in the 2017 World School Debate held in Germany and took the third position. In a mock debate held earlier in Singapore, they defeated a highly respected Catholic convent school which is more than 100 years old to win the first position.
Also, the same year, students of Loretto Special Science Secondary School, Adazi in Anaocha won the first prize in a Performance Assessment, conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education for all the Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria. In the same performance evaluation by the federal ministry, Queen of The Rosary College (QRC), Onitsha, won the first prize in the Junior Secondary School category. Equally, Mr. Clement Okodo of Central School, Abagana won the first prize in the Teachers’ category.
The following year, the state continued on its trajectory of excellence. It clinched the overall best prize in the assessment of school administrators. The prize went to Amala Ezenwa, Headmistress of Awada Primary School Four in Obosi, Idemmili North Local Government Area. The state also clinched the fourth prize, which went to Vera Uju Ikegwuani, Principal of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha.
Anambra is the first state to have won the School Debate Competition endowed by the President of Nigeria in four consecutive years. Thus, the federal government decided that the competition should be held in the state in 2018. At the debate, held last December, Anambra defeated Benue State.
Anambra State has been leading in examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and National Examinations Council (NECO). It records the least number of examination malpractices among states in the federation.
Anambra State is the only state in the last six years to have reviewed workers salaries upwards, despite receiving one of the least monthly allocations from the federation account. The State pays workers, pensioners and political office holders before the 24th of every month. It is among the first three states to agree to pay workers the new minimum wage once the appropriate law is in place. The state also gives bags of rice to workers, including part-time workers. Needless to state, the rice is home grown. Anambra Rice is now a famous brand throughout Nigeria.
Anambra is the only state to have increased yearly rice production from 80 metric tonnes to 340 metric tonnes. It has done so well in the rice value chain that it is now helping other states. For instance, Lake Rice, a joint venture between Kebbi and Lagos states, may be planted in Kebbi State and sold in Lagos State, but unknown to a lot of Nigerians this brand is milled at Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The mill is one of the companies attracted to the state by the excellent security situation in the state and the state government’s Think Home policy.
Anambra, which has the best road network in Nigeria, has now emerged the fourth largest economy in Nigeria. If it were to be a country, it would be the 13th largest in Africa. It is the state with the least poverty index. And it is the least indebted state in the country, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO) of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The World Bank, last September, declared Anambra the state with the best record in the implementation of World Bank-assisted projects throughout the Southeast and South-south geographical zones. Same month, Anambra received the first prize for successful implementation of the immunization campaign under the supervision of the World Bank. The prize was given to Anambra State by the Vice President of Nigeria and the Minister of Health.
The police authorities on Thursday, March 29, 2018, declared Anambra the safest state in the country. It has since emerged that the state is the safest place in both west and Central Africa. It has also become the most peaceful state in the country. For instance, during the 2017 governorship election, there was no single incident of violence before, during or after the election when Chief Willie Obiano became the first governor in history to win by a landslide in each of the 21 local government areas in the State. 
This is unprecedented in a state where only a few years ago, members of the same ruling party kidnapped the serving governor over a mere disagreement and burnt all key institutions for three days in an orgy of violence.
 It is wonderful that Anambra State has now become synonymous with social harmony. As the campaigns for the 2019 general election are going on, parties in the state and their candidates as well as supporters have conducted themselves with a higher level of civility than in any other state in the federation. God bless Anambra State, the Light of the Nation.