Hurray! Anambra state is thirty years old today. Old Anambra, comprising the present Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, was created in 1976 by late General Murtala Mohammed. On August 27, 1991, General Ibrahim Babangida carved out another nine states to the then existing twenty-one. The states are: Anambra, Abia, Adamawa, Delta and Jigawa. Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Osun and Taraba

Agitation for state creation then arose mainly from the desire to spread the gains of economic development. Hence, Anambra State, since its creation, thirty years ago, has lived up to its sobriquet; Light of the Nation.  As the eight most populous state in the federation and second most densely populated after Lagos, Anambra has lived up to its billing as a state with immense resources, characterized by people who carry on a most animated business and other relationship with people who come across them.  Indeed, the highly industrious and resourceful people of Anambra State have justified the need for a state of their own by the remarkable developmental strides they have recorded in all parts of the state.

Currently, Anambra has the lowest poverty index in Nigeria, the highest growth rate of manufacturing outfits in Nigeria and the highest growth of import substitute in rice and vegetable production in Nigeria. Today, Anambra is equally the state with the lowest loan exposure and the state with Lowest Unemployment Rate in Nigeria. Anambra and Lagos are currently the only states involved in the building of new cities planned to meet the standard of any modern city in the world. Anambra has won an award from the federal government as Best state that supports MSMEs in Nigeria

Educationally, Anambra is a centre of excellence.  Literacy rate is comparatively high.  Primary and secondary school enrolments in the state are one of the highest in the country. Anambra State is global champion in world Technovation challenge and bronze medalist in another World Festival of Engineering.

Umu Anambra, apart from being the first and second best in the 2021 JAMB examinations, are about the highest number of Joint admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) candidates going after the limited number of spaces in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.  In fact, Anambra State, since the 2011/2012 academic year till date, has made wonderful results in both WAEC and NECO conducted Senior and junior Secondary School exams.

In politics, Anambra’s history has remained awesome, weird and unique.  It is a state with a long history of firsts in Nigeria.  Despite its relatively small land mass, Anambra has produced a fair number of outstanding individuals. For instance, the only Igbo man that has been president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, is from Anambra.

The only Igbo man that has ever attained the office of elected Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, is from Anambra. The first billionaire in Nigeria, Sir Louis Ojukwu, is from Nnewi. Two greatest Mathematicians in Africa, Prof Chike Obi and 12-year-old Chika Ofili, are from Anambra. An Anambra son, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, is the only Igbo man to have been referred to as Head of state of the Republic of Biafra. Of all states in Nigeria, none has produced three Senate presidents, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Nwafor Orizu and Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, except Anambra.

Similarly, no Igbo state is yet to beat the record of Anambra in producing two speakers of the House of Representatives, namely: Chief Edwin Umezuoke and Chief Agunwa Anaekwe. Professor Kenneth Dike, first Nigerian Vice Chancellor, is from Awka. The first black man to ever attain the position of Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom, Professor Charles Egbu, is from Abatete. The first female governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba, is onye Anambra. The first Undefeated World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Chief Mike Okpala (Power Mike) is from Neni. That the history of Nigeria was rewritten, paving way for staggered governorship elections in the country is as a result of the case study of Anambra.

In the international political arena, the only Nigerian that has occupied the office of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth is from Anambra state, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. In all fields of learning and enterprise, Anambra’s distinction is unparalleled. In ICT, Philip Emeagwali; in Literature, Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, and Chimamanda Adichie stand out significantly. In the whole of West Africa, Anambra prides as the only state that manufactures vehicles, Innoson Motors, and many more names in commerce and other fields.

With all these kindness from the Almighty, others say that God is Onye Anambra. The assertion is, however, not far from the truth. After all, Christianity first came to Igboland in 1857 and the first place the missionaries landed was in Onitsha. And the first Igbo man to be a Cardinal, next to Pope, Francis Cardinal Arinze, is from Eziowelle, Anambra state.

Above all, the first Igbo man to hold the position of Governor of Central Bank, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is from Anambra state.

Anambra at 30 is indeed the light of the nation; 30 hearty cheers to Anambra!

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