AWKA — Anambra State House of Assembly today bade Governor Willie Obiano farewell, just about forty-eight hours to the end of his eight years in office, as governor of Anambra State.
In a special valedictory session in honour of governor Obiano at the plenary today, Anambra lawmakers eulogized the governor’s leadership style, his legacy projects, while hoping that the incoming government led by Prof. Soludo will do better than the Obiano’s led government. Obiano was accompanied to the Assembly by members of his execo and Soludo, the governor-elect.
According to Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, a member representing Anaocha II constituency, and the House Committee Chairman on Basic Education, Obiano has done creditably in the education sector.
“Today is a day of eulogy to our outgoing governor in the person of Chief Willie Obiano. I want to thank His Excellency for the good things he did for the state within the last eight years… every sector is touched in one way or the other. Let me come down to the committee where I have direct oversight on, which is the committee on education. Whenever I find myself in the midst of my other colleagues from other states, they envy me for coming from Anambra state because of the numerous laurels we have won in Anambra State.”
Hon. Okechukwu also thanked Obiano for investing in skill-based education. “In about 48 hours, Obiano will be an ex-governor and Prof. Soludo will take the lead. Obiano has done well, but it is our expectation that Prof. Soludo will do even better”, he said. Hon. Pete Ibida also spoke highly of His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano. Before that, the citation of Governor Obiano was read by Hon. Nnamdi Okafor, the Majority Leader of the House.
For Hon. Obinna Emeneka representing the governor’s constituency of Anambra East local government, Governor Obiano has areas where he did well and areas where he did not do so well. However, “Obiano came to Anambra State with clear vision and mission that are systematic,” Hon. Emeneka has said.
Hon. Somto Udeze representing Ogbaru II constituency commended the governor while expecting that today will not be the last day Obiano visits the House of Assembly. “You did your best. For all these years, you never changed your person. You remained whom you are. You have made your mark and the greatest thing you have done is to throw your support to the Governor-Elect”. Others who spoke at the plenary include Hon. Lawrence Ezeudu, who described the governor as a man “full of empathy.”
Hon. Beverley Ikepazu-Nkemdiche spoke passionately and prayed God to lead Obiano in the next phase of his endeavours. Running out of time, the Speaker could no longer take more responses from House members, so he concluded with his own speech and was followed by the Governor’s reaction.
For Governor Obiano, “I am happy that you find it deep in your hearts to arrange this valedictory session for me. I have listened very carefully to the kind words spoken about myself and my administration. I will like you to carry my message of gratitude to your constituencies for the support… I will remember you all… It’s always difficult to say goodbye. I pray that you accord the incoming governor the support you have given me,” Obiano said.
Outside the plenary, in an interview, Hon. Dr. Tim Ifedioranma reacted to the session and while accepting that the Governor has done his bits, insisted that Obiano’s vision was not properly carried out. “The truth is that Governor Obiano has done his bits…he has good intentions…but was not properly carried out.”
Decrying the state of Anambra roads, Hon. Tim admonished the incoming governor not to focus on one legacy project at the expense of other important public infrastructures. “Governor Obiano started well, but ended poorly,” Hon. Tim concluded.
However, for Hon. Amala Anazodo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Obiano is a nice man and a people-oriented leader who will be missed. “His Excellency Governor Obiano is a nice man. He did his best and made his point. We are proud of him. I am confident that the incoming governor, Prof. Soludo will do even better. Anambra is indeed blessed,” he said.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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