As Nigeria marks her 15th anniversary of
uninterrupted practice of democracy in the country, Anambra State governor,
Chief Willie Obiano has expressed hope that peace would eventually come to the
land despite the turbulent times. In his Democracy Day Message to commemorate
the event in Awka, the State capital,
Governor Obiano recalled that “when
democracy took roots in the country 15 years ago, Nigeria was a wasteland of
dead and dying dreams.
Painting a vivid picture of the country before the
current democratic regime, Obiano said: “We had wandered in the wilderness of
dictatorship for many years with only occasional glimpses of democracy. Our
youths fled Nigeria in droves to known and unknown places across the globe in
pursuit of a better future. Unemployment raged like a harmattan wind and all
over the country, there was fear and uncertainty.”
The governor further noted that since the seed of
the tree of liberty was planted in 1999, Nigerians had found shelter under the
soothing protective shadow of that tree; and called on all Nigerians “to raise
our heads together as one beyond the present dark clouds that gather in the
horizon of our collective freedom and affirm our faith in a united and free
Nigeria.“
Addressing the present security problem in the country,
the governor however expressed dismay that in the last five years, “we have
watched in utter horror as the dark designs of the merchants of terror eat away
at the very foundations of our liberty. We are astonished at their wanton
violation of the age-old respect for the sanctity of human life as well as
their brazen disregard of all civilized conventions of armed conflict that
emphasize the protection of women and children at all times and in all
situations. With every new act of terror, it becomes clearer to us that a
season of anomie has set upon us and we need faith in each other to see the
next day. Every new bomb that explodes in the streets is a huge test to our
democracy and the freedom it brings.”
Obiano however assured Ndi Anambra that “we shall
survive this hurricane, and to fellow Nigerians, he reiterated “we shall win
this war!” He buttressed his conclusions on the positive reactions from the
rest of humanity to every bomb that has exploded in Nigeria, stressing that we
are assured of our eventual triumph over these turbulent times.
Summarising the reaction of the world to the
Nigerian situation, Obiano observed “When we stand still and listen to the
chant of school children across the world imploring these terrorists in the
Sambisa Forest to Bring Back our Girls, we find courage in the kinship of the
human community. When we pause and ponder over the great efforts and commitment
of the federal government to this struggle, when we hear the soothing
assurances of the United States of America, the UK, France, China and all of
Nigeria’s friends and allies, we become more certain that eventually, the light
of liberty shall fall on this present darkness.”
“We are reminded that we are not alone; and that a
threat to human freedom somewhere is a threat to human dignity everywhere. We
are assured that one day; HOPE will rise once again from the present DESPAIR!”
The governor anchored his belief in the end to Boko
Haram terrorism and other insurgencies in the country on the fact that almost
every known climate of oppression in human history has eventually given way to
the bright sunlight of freedom, citing Apartheid, Iraq under Saddam Hussein,
Libya under Ghadaffi and a many other atrocious cases of man’s inhumanity to
man, reiterating that “Boko Haram and its sponsors and promoters shall
eventually pass away and Nigeria shall be free again!”
Using Anambra State as a case study in the general
anomie that has beset the country in recent times, governor Obiano noted that
the people of the state for several unbroken years, were victims of organized
crime, in which “Daredevil Criminal gangs prowled our streets and communities,
robbing us blind and holding their fellow human beings in captivity in exchange
for ransom.
“For years, my people lived in fear – not fear of
the unknown or the fear of strangers but the fear of our own brothers and
sisters who for the love of hot cash and instant gratification have decided to
point their guns backwards. While the climate of fear they unleashed on us
prevailed, our freedom died. It died hard!” he observed.
The governor however expressed satisfaction that
the situation in the State is quite different today as “the people who once
denied Ndi Anambra a peaceful sleep are either on the run or in captivity.
Those who denied us freedom are presently having a taste of their own
medicine.”
The State Chief Executive enunciated some of
the achievements recorded in less than two months in office including
launching a long term offensive against criminals and rooting out drug dealers
from their secret cells as well as cutting off their supply lines.
In the same vein, Obiano assured that his
government is working at replacing the guns in the hands of the youths with
offer letters for jobs and seed monies for small scale businesses.
Also ongoing
is a data capturing exercise that will provide a rich statistics on
the youths with a view to matching their skills to job openings. He urged idle
youths to turn around today and head to their local government headquarters and
participate in this registration exercise.
The governor reassured that “there is hope for
Anambra State! My team and I are resolved to ensure that you get the full
benefits of democracy and justify the confidence you reposed in me when you
cast your votes for APGA in November last year.”
He highlighted the inauguration of a Board for the
development of Awka into a modern city, the flag off of the construction of
bridge across Omambala River to the oil field of Anambra State, with incentives
to attract more investments to the sector and announced that plans are underway
to remodel our markets and transform Onitsha into a leading industrial center
and make the famous Ogbunike cave a major tourist attraction and relaxation
spot.
According to him, “this democracy has given us so
much that we now have a historical responsibility to preserve it for our
children and their own children after them. I implore you to report any
suspicious movement in your community and neighbourhood to the police. In doing
this, let us be reminded that according to Wendell Phillips, famous American
abolitionist, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”
The governor also commended President Goodluck
Jonathan for attracting the sympathy and support of Nigeria’s many friends to
the current efforts to bring back our girls, and appealed to the people of the
State to remain steadfast in their prayers for the peaceful reuniting of the
Chibok girls to their parents and loved
ones.
Good work!
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