WHEN JOURNALISTS GAVE THEIR VERDICT ON GOVERNOR PETER OBI

ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU 

You gave Anambra state Governor, Mr Peter Obi change Agent of the year Award? Has he bought you people over or he merited it? Are you sure you people collectively gave him the award or few of you championed, so demanded Mr Felix Oti-Deboy, a newspaper distributor in Anambra state. 

The Governor has done something great for Anambra people but I know nobody would accept that now until he is out of office. For me I believe he merited the honour from journalists who I think most times reported events in the state unfairly to him, Mr Oti concluded.

To me as a Correspondent, I was baffled when collectively without prompting journalists under the aegis of Correspondents Chapel comprising of media men from all the national dailies with offices outside Anambra state picked Governor Peter Obi for the honour.

There was no argument against the decision as everybody admitted he has indeed worked for the progress and development of the state more than anybody else that has governed.

Correspondents Chapel insisted that the award came Obi’s way for his remaining resolute in his determination to give a new face to Anambra State in the face of fierce resistance. And on 30th September, 2011 the Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi,  was honoured with the Change Agent of the Year award by journalists in the state under the aegis of Correspondents’ Chapel.

At a colourful and massively attended ceremony held at King David’s Hotel Awka, the chairman of the chapel, Comrade Beatrice Onuchukwu, praised Obi for strictly implementing his policies and programmes despite stiff opposition from those reaping off the old order.

According to Onuchukwu, Obi’s style had resulted in the holistic transformation of Anambra State , a feat, she said, had really confirmed him as the rock upon which the state stood.

I most sincerely wish to commend the executive governor of Anambra State on the strictness of his government in implementing government policies and programmes and the astuteness of his character. Peter Obi is the rock on which Anambra stands today to witness tremendous transformation in all sectors.

May I commend the right choice of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, which led to the emergence of Your Excellency as the Honorary Adviser to the President on Finance and Member of the National Economic Team, she stated. 

She gave part of Obi’s achievements as the tarring of over 500klms of roads, building of the state’s first ever teaching hospital, building of the state’s first E-library, renovation of the Women’s Development Centre, building of the first ever workers’ secretariat, as well as he provision of buses to schools and hospital equipment to primary health centers and general hospitals.

As journalists who have been around in this state for many years, we can boldly say that the state has never had it so good, Onuchukwu said.

She also commended Obi on his dual appointment by the federal government as a member of the country’s economic management team and as honorary adviser on finance.

The chapel however pleaded with the government to provide it with a bus and to help its mother union, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state in its current project of building a secretariat.

That was a verdict by journalists in Anambra state which means Governor Peter Obi indeed is working to emancipate his people and those who ought to know better collectively passed that strong verdict. The verdict could be interpreted as a vote of confidence on Governor Obi by journalists in Anambra and by extension journalists in Nigeria. What a surprise verdict, this will be to Governor Peter Obi judging by often misconstrued reports of events in the state in a bid to sell papers or make front page?

By this award , the Governor should know better and do more for his people , Ndigbo as journalist are not known for vainglory, Mr Emma Uke , a security expert has concluded.

In his response, Governor Obi represented by the commissioner for information and culture, Chief Maja Umeh, thanked the journalists for their recognition of the giant strides recorded by his administration and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders in the state in the task of moving the state forward.

He observed with pride that journalists usually known for being critical had turned into development partners and urged others to emulate them.

Umeh promised to get across the journalists requests to the governor who he said was unavoidably absent. He noted that the provision of gainful employment, especially for young people, is another major weapon in the fight against poverty.

Daily Champion reports that Anambra State Government is intensifying its efforts in this regard as follows:  Construction of a Neem-based Organic Fertilizer Plant at Amawbia to produce fertilizer to boost agricultural production and generate employment;   Establishment of an Electronic Shopping Complex and Engineering Academy in Awka to provide jobs; this is a joint venture between Anambra State Government and LG World Electronics of Korea to establish a one-stop shopping complex/ultra-modern warehouse for electronics products including an Engineering Academy; Construction of Phase II of the Onitsha Business Village for ICT-based enterprises; work on the project has reached 90% completion.

Others included Revitalization/resuscitation of abandoned and comatose industries including Omor Rice Mill, Nkwelle-Ezunaka Integrated Livestock Farms etc to provide hundreds of jobs; Training of youths in brick making through Hydra-form Technology to mention but a few. 

Obis government has distributed over 300 transformers to communities and groups to assist ensure steady power supply. Over 4000 classroom blocks are undergoing construction in various communities of the state; over 1000 school buses granted to secondary schools; there are real bridges being constructed to mention but a few.

Sometime ago without mincing words, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwahed visited Anambra and commended the Governor of Anambra State for providing excellent example on how to reduce cost of governance and use the money saved to provide amenities for the people. 

He stated that at the flag-off of the Constitutional review conference of the Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union of Nigeria at Whyte View Hotel, Awka. He advised the Governors to cut costs and save money to pay the National Minimum wage like Governor Peter Obi is saving costs.

The Labour leader  who referred to the Governor as the most hardworking in the country had said that he was however not happy that some unions were on strike in the State and said that he would personally take interest in the negotiations between the striking workers and the Government to achieve total industrial harmony in the State.

Earlier, the National leader of RATTAWU, Comrade Yemisi Bamgbose, Gov. Obi has proved himself to be a man of his words who is committed to serving his people in honesty. We went round the projects he is executing in the State and we are overwhelmed by what we saw. He is not one of those Governors that do not want people to visit their projects because they do not have any.

Concluding, he counseled Gov. Obi not to relent in what he is doing saying: Our dear Governor, do not relent in what you are doing. Though some people will try to cast doubt in your efforts, Nigerians appreciate that.

In his own remarks, the Governor stated that he had assured that he was committed to paying the minimum wage and appealed to striking workers to call it off since, according to him, the minimum wage will be applied to everybody without discrimination.

Anambra state Chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Emeka Kalu described Obi as the voice of Ndigbo and true patriot of Igbo land with a vision and mission to emancipate the Igboman in the circle called Nigeria .