Generations of Citizens remember good Governments, Governors or Presidents, not only by their actions, but mainly by the legacy projects they left behind. This is because mankind has very short memories, and the ephemeral nature of memories have made it expedient that man should document his activities in durable and retrievable records.
In our generation, Governor Willie Obiano has constructed a fair number of legacy projects for which his person and government would be remembered when he leaves office. Such superlative projects include the three flyovers at Arroma, Unizik Junction and Amawbia roundabouts.
The numerous State Government Investments on infrastructural development have generated profound levels of economic activities that have increased the population of Anambra state from a little over three million in 1991 to more than six million people in 2021. Thanks to the strategic planning with which the government has guided such tremendous increase in population, growth of settlements and expansion of the economic and social activities in our clime.
As part of the commendable plan to leverage on the growing trends and reap the harvest of development, it is heartwarming that Governor Obiano has embarked on the construction of the Anambra State Cargo Airport to mainstream the state into the global centre of financial market economy.
This is because majority of the passengers and cargos which have made the regional Airports within the Eastern and South Eastern Nigeria viable come from Anambra State. Ndi Anambra are strategic businessmen, adventurous seafarers and purposeful merchants. It is in that connection that the Airport will serve their purpose
The Construction, in itself, is also currently creating economic multiplier effects for the catchment villages. Tipper vehicle owners, food vendors and itinerant journeymen in sundry professions are reaping investible capitals on the site. These are the unintended fortunes that come with the existence of such novel projects and our people are better for it.
Yet another commendable legacy project of Governor Obiano is the International Conference Centre at Agu-Awka. The project will put Anambra State into the league of international brands in the global scale of states with economic, social and tourism potentials. It will serve as the International Tourist Centre and marketing brand of the Eastern gateway.
The centre will be the pride of a people and the recovery treasure of the once-upon the boisterous Igbo nation of Eastern Region of Nigeria in the sense that it will be a centre of preference for the discussion of strategic Igbo interest for the local elites and our brethren in the Diaspora as well as the citadel for the presentation of Igbo agenda in the building of the Nigerian project.
As we commend the areas of strength of Governor Obiano, there is, however, the need to remind him of the importance of doing more in the sports sub-sector, which boosted the pride of Igbo people from 1970 to the dawning years of 1990. We thank Governor Obiano for the ongoing re-construction of Awka Township stadium, which will be put to use very soon.
There is need to sponsor novel projects such as Anambra International Marathon. It will be a continuation from the successes of the 2020 Nigeria Police Games that was staged in Anambra State. This will be of priority when we recall that it was the last Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England that boosted their dwindling economy and created the leverage for the establishment of Manchester City Football Club, which is making waves in the European Premier League.
Marathons are not just sports in themselves; they are international marketing strategy, tourism projects and growth factors for both the hospitality industry and national economy. Let us build because ideas make a people great.
WRITTEN BY DR. AZUBUIKE NKALA
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