Written By: Timothy Ifedioranma
The map of Nigeria was, again, redrawn on August 27, 1991 when General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, then President of Nigeria, thought it wise to create another nine states to the then existing twenty-one. The wise decision gave birth to Anambra, Abia, Adamawa, Delta and Jigawa states. Other states created twenty-eight years ago are Kebbi, Kogi, Osun and Taraba states.
No doubt, agitation for a new State arose mainly from the desire to spread the gains of economic development. For instance, Anambra State, since its creation, 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 rate in Nigeria. Educationally, Anambra is a centre of excellence. Literacy rate is comparatively high. Primary and secondary school enrollment in the state is one of the highest in the country. Today, Anambra State is global champion in world Technovation challenge and bronze medalist in another World Festival of Engineering.
Umu Anambra are equally 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 exalted office of elected Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, is from Anambra. An Anambra son, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, is the only Igbo man to have been referred to as Head of state of the Republic of Biafra. Of all Igbo states, none has produced two Senate presidents, 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 federal House of Representatives, namely: Chief Edwin Umezuoke and Chief Agunwa Anaekwe. Professor Kenneth Dike, first Nigerian Vice Chancellor, is from Awka, Anambra state. The first female governor in Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba, is onye Anambra. That the history of the country 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, Chimamamda Adichie stand out significantly. In the whole of West Africa, Anambra prides as the only state that manufactures vehicles, Innosin Motors, and many more names in commerce and other fields.
Anambra state is outstanding in Igbo land. Today, Anambra has the lowest poverty index in Nigeria with the highest growth rate of manufacturing outfits. Anambra has the highest growth of import substitute endeavours in rice, yam and vegetable production in Nigeria. Anambra is also the state with the lowest loan exposure in Nigeria with capacity to meet its monthly payments to its workers in time. In fact, Anambra recently won an award from the federal government as Best state that supports MSMEs in Nigeria In the area of infrastructural development, Anambra, today, has the best network of roads in Nigeria. The current administration, under the leadership of Gov. Willie Obiano, has reeled out policy initiatives that have restructured development in the state with an amazing rapidity. Night life in back, streets are dazzling at night, while investors are trooping to the state.
In fact, Obiano’s development strides in security, aggressive agriculture, construction and road maintenance, trade and commerce, power supply, investment, community choose your project initiative, industrialization, oil and gas have resulted in the transformation of villages into towns; towns into cities and cities into metros. Today, with the level of work going on, Awka is fast being transformed into befitting capital city.
As we raise our glasses to toast to the progress and prosperity of Anambra State, we remember the sterling contributions of the State’s past leaders. We salute in particular Navy Captain Joseph Abulu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Police Commissioner Dabo Aliu and Colonel Mike Attah. We also applaud the invaluable contributions of Group Captain Rufai Garba, Wing Commander Emmanuel Ukaegbu, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Dr. Chris Ngige, Dame Virgy Etiaba and Sir Peter Obi. We pray for our current Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and ask God to continue to imbue him with the strength of mind and spirit of leadership to continue to steer the wheel of progress for our dear state.
Ndi Anambra, as we celebrate, we look forward to another wonderful year, a time to build and strengthen the bonds that bind us as a people. We raise our glasses for Anambra State: the light of the nation. Hip hip hip…hurrah!
To God be the glory.
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