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Tag: Willie Obiano

  • Jubilation in Anambra as Obiano resuscitates rice mill

    Residents of Umumbo in Ayamelum local council area, Anambra state have expressed appreciation to the state government following the resuscitation of JOSAN Rice Mill.

    The project was embarked upon by Federal Government in 1987 in collaboration with the World Bank and the Old Anambra State Government before it was abandoned.

    The mill, said to be the largest in West African sub region, was however resuscitated and expanded in 2018 by the Obiano-led administration after it went moribund in 1997.

    Speaking during the commissioning, the governor, Willie Obiano said the project was an indication of his administration’s commitment to improving the state’s agricultural production capacity.

    He added that the project was expected to accelerate agricultural revolution in the area through private sector participation and further boost national self-sufficiency in rice production.

    “The mill is a Public Private Partnership venture between the State Government and Joseph Agro Limited and has the capacity to do 30,000 metric tons of rice,” he said.

    Read Also: Fuel tanker goes in flames in Anambra

    Underscoring the role of the community to rice production transformation agenda of the state government, Obiano assured provision of other necessary amenities to ensure smooth running of the facility.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization, Processing and Export, Afam Mbanefo said the mill would create job and wealth opportunities for youths in the area as well help offtake paddy from local farmers.

    Responding, the Project Managing Director, Chief Oliver Okeke described the mill as a fallout of the state government’s effort to bringing in genuine investors in the agricultural sector.

    He pledged the commitment of his team to achieve the purpose the project was established.

    In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Omor, one of the communities benefitting from the project, Igwe Oranu Chidume, lauded government’s effort in resuscitating the project.

    He expressed hope that the mill would make the state a net exporter of rice to neighbouring states.

    On his part, the President General of Umumbo, Mr Tony Nnamah, regretted the destruction of their farms and source of water by herdsmen.

    He however noted that the project has the capacity to achieve food sufficiency for the state in rice production.

    The governor had earlier laid the foundation stone for a water scheme to provide potable water to the community as well as an irrigation system to support dry season farming in over 10,000 hectares of arable land for rice farming.

  • Additional Igbo state feasible under Buhari – Obiano

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has revealed that an additional Igbo state was in the offing under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Obiano made the disclosure when Ohaneze ndi Igbo, Lagos Branch paid him a solidarity visit at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Anambra state.

    He also expressed hope the federal government would set aside November 16 as a National Day for Ziks Memorial.

    The governor described Ohaneze as one united group, calling on members to remain a sociocultural, non-partisan body with the goal of pushing the Igbo agenda.

    He clarified that he was in good terms with its President General, but regretted the group’s decision to fix a meeting on a day the President was in the state to commission a Mausoleum in honor of the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe who remained a world hero of Igbo extraction.

    While reaffirming his support to the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and all other party candidates, the governor reiterated his support for restructuring.

    The Ohaneze ndigbo delegation said they were in the state to show solidarity to the Obiano-led government.

    The Igbo group, led by its President, Sir Nnamdi Nwigwe, praised Obiano’s negotiating power and his Think Home philosophy, among other notable initiatives.

    He said: “We are particularly happy with your position on appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s good gestures to the people of the South East region and Anambra State in particular.

    “The completed Zik’s Mausoleum, which is a national monument, the ongoing second Niger bridge, road projects and other infrastructures lay credence to the fact that the Buhari administration has not forgotten the region.”

  • ‘Obiano remains APGA national leader’

    The Anambra State government has debunked reports that Governor Willie Obiano has left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, said Obiano remains the party’s National Leader and Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).

    The statement reads: “Various political forces have devised all kinds of methods to obtain Governor Willie Obiano’s support to enhance their chances in the general election. Some have gone as far as claiming that Obiano has defected to their parties.

    “Investigations have revealed that those spreading this rumour are agents of two of the three leading political parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). But the government hereby states that the reports are false; Governor Obiano remains both APGA’s National Leader and Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).

    Read also: Peter Obi, Willie Obiano in verbal war

    “He has been campaigning for APGA’s candidates, including Gen. John Gbor, the party’s presidential candidate. He has been consistent in telling supporters to vote for only APGA candidates. He has never asked Anambra people to vote APGA candidates in some elections and candidates of other parties in another election.

    “Obiano’s policy of constructive engagement, as opposed to confrontation, in his relationship with people, groups and institutions, means that as much as there are differences in political perspectives, we must maintain a friendly disposition to all. He is satisfied with the trust which Ndi Anambra and APGA members repose in him, which has enabled him to render useful service to the people. He has no intention to leave APGA and join another party. He will continue to use APGA as a vehicle for tremendous mobilisation and service to God and humanity.”

  • Our relationship with Buhari has paid off – Obiano

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State is happy over what he calls the cordial relationship between him and President Mohammadu Buhari.

    The governor says he has no regret relating well with the President.

    Obiano who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said yesterday that the good relationship has “contributed in no small measure to the unrivalled social harmony in the state which has made Anambra one of the most competitive states in the country.”

    “Not only do we have excellent relations with all state governments in Nigeria, we also enjoy warm relations with all political parties and their members, including candidates in the 2019 general elections,” the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, quoted him as saying in a statement in Awka.

    Read Also: Buhari, El Rufai ‘ll return to office – Kaduna deputy gov

    He added: “We don’t discriminate in the state, as can be testified by the presence in our administration of members of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress and a number of non-Anambra indigenes.

    “We are proud that Anambra is today the most peaceful, the most cohesive and the most inclusive state throughout the country.”

    Obiano linked the level of cooperation among federal and state agencies in the state to his strategy to make Anambra the first choice investment destination in Nigeria, saying:“I have consistently stated that investments go first and foremost to peaceful and stable places.

    “Frankly, I think other parts of the country should come to Anambra State and see how not only how key federal agencies work together but also how national and sub-national organizations cooperate fully with one another for the benefit of the people.

    “The unprecedented investment flow of over four billion dollars in just four years in Anambra State is not fortuitous or a mere happenstance but a part of a well planned, deliberate strategy which took into consideration environmental factors affecting investment decisions everywhere in the world.”

    He commended intelligence and security agencies in the state for providing impressive security in the state, especially during the Christmas and New Year Fiesta.

  • Obiano lauds FG over pace of work on 2nd Niger Bridge

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, has expressed satisfaction with the standard and pace of work on the Second Niger Bridge in the state.

    Obiano made his feelings known when he embarked on an inspection visit to the site in Onitsha on Tuesday.

    The governor, who was visibly happy with the extent of work done so far, said he was confident that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari would deliver on the job as scheduled.

    He noted that the bridge, when completed, would not only boost the economic activities of the South-East and South-South but that of the whole country.

    “I have no choice than to praise president Muhammadu Buhari for his determination in the implementation of other federal government projects in the state and other states in the region,” he said.

    Read Also: Obiano rewards outstanding NYSC members

    The Project Director, Julius Berger Construction Company, Mr Fredrick Wieser, explained that the construction would be in three phases.

    Wieser noted that the federal government has already made advance payment of 15 per cent which amounted to N30 billion as mobilisation fee.

    According to him, the bridge will be 1.6 km, while the access road from Asaba axis will be 3.3 km and 7km from Anambra respectively.

    “Right now, we are doing foundation work in the river which will be 50 metres deep.

    “The pilling work in the river will be 15 metres above water level to allow free flow of ships,’’ he said.

    He, however, pointed out that with the determination of the present administration, the project would be delivered on or before February 28, 2022.

     

    NAN

  • Anambra restates commitment to ensuring security

    The Anambra State Government has said that it remains committed to sustaining its security architecture to safeguard the lives of the residents and their property.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, that Gov. Willie Obiano had prioritised security in the state.

    He said this was aimed at improving the political and socio-economic development of the state.

    He said that the government had attracted lots of local and international investors to the state and would not toy with the security of the investors and their investments.

    The commissioner said that the state government had recorded an impressive achievement in security and would not backslide, assuring the people of their safety during and after the yuletide.

    NAN

  • 270 physically challenged graduates to get employment in Anambra

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has disclosed that no fewer than 270 physically challenged would be engaged in the state workforce.

    Obiano dropped the hint at the Governor’s lodge, Amawbia during the distribution of over 100 wheel chairs to the People Living with Disabilities.

    He reiterated that physically challenged undergraduates would continue to enjoy free education in all the special schools across the state.

    He said, “We will continue to provide excellent environment for every teeming youth, especially people with disabilities to strive.

    “Every citizen of Anambra has equal right. It is against divine law to discriminate humans. It is not their fault that they were born with disabilities.

    Read Also: ‘Interest in job skills growing in Anambra’

    “So, we must provide them with necessary facilities to live on. They need our love and it is our duty to help them at any given time. Doing it is for God not human.”

    The Governor recalled the promotion of some disabled people in his government to enviable positions, who, according to him, were neglected by previous administrations.

    He commended his wife, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano for touching lives through her pet project, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), unveiled 30 years ago.

    Appreciating supporters of the project, especially Dr Arthur Eze, for donating generously for the construction of buildings to indigent and widows, Obiano appealed to other spirited individuals to emulate the gesture.

  • Obiano tasks Anambra judiciary on civil procedure rules

    Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has urged stakeholders in the justice sector to evolve acceptable rules of proceedings that would ensure efficient and effective functioning of courts in the state.

    Obiano made the call on Friday in Onitsha, Anambra State during a two-day public summit on the review of civil procedure rules for courts.

    He said the synergy between the executive and judicial arm of government in the state has led to series of landmark changes in the justice administration and the working condition of judicial officers in the state.

    Represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the governor thanked the Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi for commencing the process that resulted to a total overhaul of the rules governing civil procedure of various cadres of courts in the state.

    Earlier, the State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi explained that the review of the rules of proceedings was occasioned by its outdated nature.

    He said, “The rules of courts have become obsolete which necessitated the setting up of various review committees to look into them and come up with draft documents that would be subjected to public  scrutiny before being Adopted as rules of procedure for all Courts in the state.

    “The rules being reviewed are the High Court Rules (2006), Anambra State Magistrate Court Rules (1991) and the Rules Establishing the Anambra State Multi-Door Court House.

    Read Also: Obiano mulls allowance increament for NYSC members

    “It is the recommendations of the various committees set up to review these laws that the Chief Judge presented to the public during the just concluded summit for appraisal.

    “The dynamism of the law does not allow its rules of practice to be latent.”

    Umeadi explained that participants were free to make suggestions in gray areas in the committee’s recommendations, which he promised would be reflected in the final draft that would ultimately become the rules of procedure for courts in Anambra State.

    Some of the key areas that engaged the attention of participants were issues of enhanced court fees, summary trials, granting of adjournments, probate matters, and preliminary objections.

    Other areas included pre-trial conferences, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms, enforcement of  ADR awards and use of modern technology in litigation process.

    One of the resource persons who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor made case for synergy between the regular courts and the multi-door courts, to ensure that judicial officers at various levels were bound to enforce the ADR decisions reached at the Multi-Door Court House.

    Participants which cut across all public strata, from the bar, bench, academia, stakeholders and other groups in the state justice system; engaged in robust debate in what seems like a clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed new set rules of Courts.

  • Succour for wives of fallen heroes

    No fewer than 200 widows of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Legion from Anambra State would be empowered by the state chapter as part of activities marking its year’s end celebrations.

    The Anambra State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Major Elder Nwankwo Joseph Ifeanyichukwu, who dropped the hint, said the empowerment was targeted at ameliorating the plight of the widows and to take care of their immediate families.

    Members of the Legion comprise ex-servicemen, some of whom still render security services to the country in various ways. Many of them help in the fight against Boko Haram, some even killed in the course.

    Ifeanyichukwu said widows of Legion members would be given grinding and sewing machines, farming tools and other inputs, consumables and cash, among other items.

    He requested the women in the state to register with them so they would be captured in the exercise.

    He solicited for concerted effort and financial assistant from both the government and public spirited individuals to carry out the lofty project, which he said, would be held annually.

    According to Ifeanyichukwu, the celebration which would take place at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center, Awka, would be declared open by the state governor, Willie Obiano.

    Lamenting lack of an administrative office for the legion in the state, the chairman further appealed to the governor to approve a land anywhere in the state capital to enable them start building the state secretariat of the Legion.

    He said, “Non-utilisation of the previous parcel of land allocated to the legion opposite the government house by Group Captain Garba Rufai (Rtd) for the previous administrations of the legion made the state, the only state in the south east that exists without a secretariat.

    “We need financial support from both the government and public spirited individuals. We want government to improve on their welfare package for us.

    “We will also want the governor to provide an SUV car for the chairman or replace the Legion’s bus that is now in bad shape and as well, enlist us as one of the beneficiaries of the community project initiatives organised by his administration.

    “We have given much to the world and nothing should be looked on as too big to be given back to us in return,” he appealed.

  • Literacy campaign resonates in Anambra

    Recently, the Literacy Enhancement and Achievement Project (LEAP) and the Anambra State Ministry of Basic Education organized a workshop in conjunction with The Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN) in Awka, the Anambra State capital.  It was purposely put in place as a moment to celebrate what was termed, The child, the boy, the man, revolving around Willie Obiano, the governor of Anambra and a biography written on him by his wife, Ebelechukwu.  But beyond the public presentation of the book it was time for the people to have the second edition of Literacy festival in the state where Professor Chuckwuemeka Onukaogu and his team have been working round the clock to ensure that literacy in the state is streamlined to meet the local and immediate needs of the people, particularly in secondary and primary schools.

    For a long time, across the nation, there was the need to retrain primary and secondary school teachers to meet the modern and professional needs of their students.  This was one need Professor Onukaogu of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ife, Osun State, promptly discovered and quickly fell in line to ameliorate.  Today, he is fully involved in some states, more so, Anambra, where he engages in not only literacy campaign and promotion but to also restrain teachers for what he termed effective students – teachers relationship”.  This was why the one day programme organized in Awka was entitled effective and efficient teaching and learning of literacy across the school curriculum:  LEAP learning centred model to the rescue.  This model project took its firm hold in Anambra in 2015.  The idea, according to its progenitor, Onukaogu, is to ensure that Junior Secondary School (JSS) students have the prerequisite literacy empowerment to acquire, receive and give information creatively.  This is essentially needed in some of the core subjects of English, Basic Science and Mathematics.  But this can be expanded to include other subjects that in are conformity with the avowed literacy needs of the people across the school curriculum.

    Over the years Onukaogu, a committed researcher, scholar and a Professor of the English Language, has chosen to use his platform of LEAP and RAN to entrench literacy all over Nigeria.  And it is not surprising, that Governor Obiano has given him the leeway to do this properly in the state.  It is not surprising also to note that in the past years, due to the profundity of the LEAP project, Anambra has been coming tops in both the JAMB and WAEC examinations.

    Now that teachers are being well-trained, it has become easier for them to have proper and humane and human relationships with their students.  Indeed, Anambra has become a model in this regard.  With this skills and knowledge acquisitions in the state, Onukaogu believes more should still be done to make the achievements permanent.  He said:  “despite all the reported successes, LEAP faces one very serious challenge at this stage of its implementation in Anambra schools.  Having stimulated students to want to read and write, we are unable to provide them with the diverse materials that would be at their readability levels as well as sustain their interest to read”.  But he and his team are not relenting as they have been making contacts with different donor agencies to provide the necessary materials to continually cement this project.

    Onukaogu, just like Obiano, insists that there has to be a paradigm shift in literacy practices both in and out of school settings for global relevance.  When this is effectively done the students will have enough confidence in themselves to be able to do better in schools and outside of it.  After all, the world is already a global village and the model of education herein has to synchronise with what obtains elsewhere to make for concerted growth and development.  Also, Governor Obiano had given the enabling environment for the project to thrive.  This was why he was involved in an open literacy festival with some of the students who had the opportunity to ask him questions on the rights of the child.  The programme which drew quite a crowd offered the governor the opportunity to witness first and how successful the LEAP project has been in the state.  So far more teachers are roaring to go while the students can now relate more cordially with their handlers, especially in the classrooms.

    For Onukaogu, it is time to do more.   “The idea for this programme began in 1986.  “That year, I joined the International Reading Association.  This is a group that believes in the promotion of literacy across the world.  So, for me there has to be a theoretical framework for what you do.  So from that academic background you have to study extensively for it.  The Centre of Excellence for Literacy Education was then formed by me to embark on this campaign”.  Today even a retirement, Onukaogu is more proactive and still able to gather his professional colleagues from various professional groups to prosper literacy in many states of the federation.  Today he is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Reading Association of Nigeria.  He is equally a member of the International Literacy Association which he joined in 1988 and in 2001, he organized the first PAN Africa Reading for All Conference in Abuja.  So far, with the help of some international donor agencies like Heinrich Bol Foundation and his own Foundation called Centre of Excellence for Literacy Education, he has been promoting literacy in different prison across Nigeria.

    In the end, the conference opened people’s eyes to the core value of knowledge, education and what needs to be done to measure up with the rest of the world.  Present at the occasion were Governor Obiano, his wife, Ebelechukwu, Professors Stella Ekpe, Osita Chukwulobelu, Kate Omenugha and others who are in the forefront of literacy campaign and promotion in the society.