Obiano Endorses Maku for Nasarawa, Raises Hope on APGA Candidates

The APGA gubernatorial candidate in Nasarawa State, Mr. Labaran Maku has been described as Nasarawa’s brightest hope for focused and purposeful governance in the coming elections.

 

Receiving Mr. Maku at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, the Governor of Anambra State who is also the National Chairman of the Board of Trustees of APGA described Maku as a great patriot who had served Nigeria meritoriously in his past capacity as the Minister of Information and someone whose innate leadership abilities should be of great benefit to the people of Nasarawa State.

 

According to governor Obiano, Maku’s excellent pedigree marks him out as a worthy addition to the cast of thoroughbred Nigerians that APGA had assembled to transform Nigeria in the coming political dispensation and one which Nasarawa people must latch onto in order to leapfrog their state to a new height of development.

 

Obiano Commissions Diagnostic Center, Re-constructs General Hospital Onitsha

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has commissioned the Sun Medical Diagnostic Center, an ultra-modern diagnostic center located within the premises of the General Hospital in Onitsha.

 

Performing the ceremony in Onitsha, Governor Obiano expressed optimism that the center would serve as a viable alternative to Nigerians who travel overseas in search of superior medical diagnosis as it is fully equipped with the latest facilities in modern medical research.

 

As part of the efforts to drive home the need for proper diagnosis of ailments before treatment, the governor announced that the Sun Medical Diagnostic Center would provide a free diagnosis to people between Monday and Friday next week and urged Onitsha residents to take advantage of the opportunity to attend to their medical needs.

 

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Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, his wife, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu and Dr. Joseph Akabuike, Commissioner for Health inspecting facilities in Onitsha General Hospital.

The governor who also used the opportunity to formally inaugurate the renovation and reconstruction of the Onitsha General Hospital further explained that on completion, the hospital would among other things, house specialist areas in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, saying that it would also accommodate standard accident and emergency units with an airfield for the landing of helicopters to ensure a speedy movement of patients in and out of the hospital.

 

According to him, also being planned are quarters for all categories of health workers, a pharmaceutical block and a laboratory as well as some isolation wards for contagious medical cases. The governor explained that the project was in fulfillment of his campaign promise to evolve a structured health system that would pave the way for medical tourism in the state and discourage Nigerians from seeking medical help overseas.

Some of the buildings undergoing reconstruction in the hospital

 

Governor Obiano further explained that the General Hospitals in Ekwulobia and Enugu Ukwu would also be developed in a similar way to serve the people of Anambra South and Central respectively while the ongoing renovation work on all the 37 general hospitals in the state would be accelerated to ensure completion on schedule.

 

The governor also restated the resolve of his administration to entrench a standard medical practice in the state using the latest technology and specialist skills supported by a public-private partnership arrangement that would be driven by experts in properly defined medical practice.

Dr. Paul Ezeukwu, Chief Willie Obiano, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, Dr. Joseph Akabuike, Commissioner for Health and Hon Dubem Obaze, Secretary to the State Government.

He also noted that a primary health agency that had just been signed into law would help to reposition and revitalize all primary health centers across the state while a legal framework would soon be put in place to rid the state of quacks.       

 

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Akabuike explained that when fully renovated, the Onitsha General Hospital would serve as a training center for house-officers and resident doctors in different areas of medicine.

  

In his own remarks, the Medical Director of the Sun Medical Diagnostic Center Dr. Paul Ezeukwu said the center has enough capacity to meet the medical examination needs of the people as it enjoys the collaborative partnership of some reputable laboratories in the US and further assured that the center would extend its expertise to other laboratories and hospitals in the state for a more comprehensive coverage.

 

Dr. Ezeukwu also declared the readiness of his group to partner with the Obiano administration to set up a world class cancer center that would be the first of its kind in the South East of Nigeria and urged fellow indigenes of Anambra State to bring home their investments now that Governor Obiano had created a favourable environment for all.

 

Also speaking, the Chairman of the construction company that is handling the renovation and construction of Onitsha General Hospital, Prof. Michael Obiefuna noted that Governor Obiano’s determination to upgrade quality health services in Anambra State would help to increase the life expectancy of the people and reverse the neglect of general hospitals. 

Nnewi, Ekwusigo Pledge Support to APGA, as Obiano flags off more Roads

Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano, and his wife Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, with all the APGA Candidates within Ekwusigo/ Nnewi North/Nnewi South Federal Constituency during the Flag-off of Coscharis Road in Nnewi yesterday.

Communities and residents of Nnewi and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas of Anambra State have pledged total support to the Governor Willie Obiano administration and all the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates in the forthcoming February 2015 elections. The widespread endorsement of APGA and its candidates by the Ekwusigo and Nnewi South LGAs was done in appreciation of N16.5 billion road projects the APGA led-government has awarded in the areas over the years. The latest being the 6.22 kilometre Coscharis-Onuzilike Okonkwo-Francis Maduka road project at Nnewi and the 7 Kilometre Ozubulu – Ihembosi – Ukpor road projects inaugurated by Governor Obiano on January 23, 2015.

 

Speaking while inaugurating the 7 Kilometre Ozubulu – Ihembosi – Ukpor road projects Governor Obiano said that the infrastructural projects were in line with the policy of the administration to open up and link all parts of the State with quality road network especially the food producing areas.  

 

APGA flags off Anambra South Senatorial Campaign, Absorbs more Defectors

As the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) targets to win both the State and National Assembly seats in the forthcoming general elections billed for next month, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has flagged off the Anambra South Senatorial District Campaign of the party and  intensified  massive grassroots mobilization and sensitization of the electorate to get their voter’s cards in order to be eligible to vote candidates of their choice.

 

Flagging off the campaign of the party at Ekwulobia, Tuesday, Governor said that APGA had entrenched the culture of good governance in the State and urged the people to vote for APGA candidates who he charged to maintain good leadership and quality representation at all levels of governance.

 

He called on local government chairmen, traditional rulers, Presidents-General and other stakeholders to encourage and support eligible voters in their area to collect their permanent voters’ cards before the elections.

 

Obiano’s Investment Drive Attracts Vehicle Assembly, Gas Distribution Plants to Anambra

Chief Joe Billy Ekwunife, Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Chief
Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State and Chief Cajetan Muonagolu, Managing Director of Richbon Nigeria Limited during the MoU signing between the government of Anambra State and Richbond Nigeria Limited in the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia...at the weekend

Returning from the Yuletide break, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has resumed his effort to accomplish his administration’s vision of making Anambra State the first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities with the recent attraction of an automobile assembly plant and a natural gas distribution plant to the state.

 

The two investors are Richbon Nigeria Limited which plans to establish a $40m vehicle assembly plant in the state and Falcon Corporation Limited which intends to set up a natural gas distribution project valued at $100m that will pipe natural gas to the many industrial clusters in the state.

 

The proposed Richbon assembly plant will be located in the industrial cluster at Oba, Idemili Local Government Area and will on completion assemble various types of automobiles including light and heavy duty trucks, buses, construction and agricultural equipment among others.

Thai Trade Mission Finally Here

A 28-Man Delegation from the business community in Thailand has finally arrived Awka, Anambra State capital on a week-long visit to explore the abundant business opportunities in the state.

The Trade Missioners are largely drawn from diverse sectors of the Thai economy cutting across sectors like Oil & Gas, Agriculture, power generation and distribution, waste and water management, Mining, Healthcare etc.

The delegation, led by Dr. Ratana Porn D arrived the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu via Addis Ababa having flown Ethiopian Airlines straight from Bangkok, Thailand.

Accompanied by the Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, Amb. Chudi Okafor, the Trade Missioners were received at the Airport by the CEO of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Mr. Joe Billy Ekwunife, his Executive Director and Senior Special Assistant on Investments, Mr. Mark Okoye and the protocol staff from the Office of the Governor of Anambra State.

We bring you  the arrival photographs of the delegation.

Obiano’s Investment Drive Revs Up as Tai Business Delegation Storms Anambra

 

The intense investment drive of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has had a flying start to the New Year as a strong team of international businessmen from Thailand arrives Awka, the Anambra State capital tomorrow to take advantage of the growing investment opportunities in the state.

 

The delegation is scheduled to arrive the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on Ethiopian Airlines flight via Addis Ababa to be received by top functionaries of the Anambra State Government including the representatives of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) which facilitated the trade mission.

 

The delegation is made up of a formidable team of 13 Thai businesses with vast interests cutting across oil and gas, agriculture, electricity generation, waste and water management, mining as well as agricultural equipment manufacturing among other interests.

Ozoemezina – When a Leader Rises to the Call of History

On a balmy evening in late October last year, I ran into the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke as he was stepping out of the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Anambra State. He had just rounded off a meeting with his friend, Governor Willie Obiano and was heading to his car. A brief exchange ensued. I had been a huge fan for so long and it was a gift to finally meet him, I said. A sunny smile lit up his face as he said, “I have just told your principal what he must know. I told him that unless Anambra gets it right, the rest of your Igbo brothers will continue to search for a direction. I made him realize that this is his cross to bear.” After this comment, he quickly hopped into the open door of a black Toyota Jeep and slid noiselessly away into the gathering dusk, leaving me with a sinking awakening.

 

President Jonathan Storms Onitsha, Thanks APGA for Support

President Good Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan has commended members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for their unflinching support and assurances in the coming presidential election.

 

Speaking at the Government Lodge in Onitsha during his weekend campaign tour of the city, President Jonathan recalled that the support he got from APGA helped seal the victory for him during his first term and thanked all members of the party for standing to be counted when it mattered most.

 

According to him, APGA’s continued support of his administration had not only made his first term highly eventful but it has also boosted his chances in the February 14, 2015 Presidential election.

An Appeal for Peaceful Elections in Anambra State... A Special Broadcast by Gov Willie Obiano

 

A SPECIAL BROADCAST BY THE GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF WILLIE OBIANO ON THE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE PEACE IN THE STATE DURING THE GENERAL ELECTIONS HOLDING IN FEBRUARY 2015.

 

Fellow citizens, it has become necessary to address you on the coming general elections. Since the past four years, we have all patiently waited for this moment. Now that it has finally come, we must handle it with care.

 

Ndi Anambra, as we begin the countdown to the coming elections; we must all remember to abide by the laws. Our Electoral Laws state very clearly that no political party is allowed to nominate MORE THAN ONE Candidate for any elective position. By implication, no political party is allowed to present 2 or 3 candidates for one elective position.

 

2015 Elections: Obiano Raises Alarm on Multiple Nominations

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has raised an alarm over the worrisome incident of the emergence of multiple aspirants parading themselves as candidates vying for the same position on one political platform, warning that security agents in the state were fully ready to pick up anyone who violates the electoral laws.

 

In a Special Broadcast on the coming elections entitled – An Appeal for Peaceful Elections in Anambra State, Governor Obiano expressed concerns that some political aspirants who had not been cleared by INEC are still campaigning and parading themselves as candidates of different political parties.

 

Said he: “Since the publication of the final list of candidates that are duly approved by INEC to contest the coming elections, we have seen many aspirants whose names are not on the INEC list parading themselves as candidates and campaigning for election in Anambra State.”

 

According to him;

South-East Traders Join APGA to Queue behind Jonathan

 

 The decision of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to adopt President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the party’s candidate in the February 14, 2015 Presidential election, yesterday received a boost from the unanimous decision of traders in the South east geopolitical zone to adopt President Jonathan as their own candidate in the coming presidential election.

 

The traders who came together under the aegis of the South-East Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATA) also resolved to adopt all the candidates standing election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as their candidates in the coming general elections.

 

Ozoemezina – Day Obiano Held Rite of Passage for Igbo War Dead

At the end of the Nigeria – Biafra war, folks on the eastern divide greeted each other with the prayer – salutation, ‘happy survival!’ It was a natural impulse that surged on meeting with a relative, friend or associate whose fate in the harrowing events had remained unknown to you. The  scary signatures of the conflict were everywhere; intruding into your psyche even if you wanted to avoid them – malnourishment all around, blown up bridges,  buildings pock marked with bullet holes,  abandoned artillery pieces and cases of spent cartridges,  queues for essential commodities and so on. It was merciful providence to be alive.   A short while into the new season, prolific writer Cyprian Ekwensi published the novel, Survive the Peace. It was an artistic recreation of the transition from the trauma of war to the sobriety of peace. From the life of the characters, the post – conflict stage could be daunting without the right attitudinal responses. As it were, a key demand of pacification of a brutal past is coming to terms with its memory.

 

Anambra Bids Fallen War Heroes, Civilian Victims Farewell, 45 years After Biafra... Ndigbo do not have a single story – Obiano declares

Following the clamour for a formal burial for millions of Anambra indigenes who lost their lives in the Nigerian Civil War, the World War II and pockets of sporadic violence in the country, the Government of Anambra State today performed a formal rite of passage for the fallen heroes and heroines as well as the civilian victims of the Nigerian Civil War, the World War II, the pogroms and other ethnic and religious violence in the country.

 

The very elaborate but solemn ceremony which took place at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, attracted distinguished Igbo sons and daughters from the entire South Eastern geopolitical zone including the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme and the maverick billionaire businessman, Prince Engineer Arthur Eze, Chief Victor Umeh, APGA National Chairman and Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, APGA gubernatorial candidate in Imo State among many others.

 

Governor Obiano Scoops Award in US, Woos Foreign Investors

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has urged the international business  community and Nigerians in the Diaspora who wish to invest in his state to take advantage of the one stop agency, the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) to make such investments without the rigmarole of dealing with multiple, incoherent agencies and offices. 

He made the comments while speaking as the special guest of honour at the USAfrica Interactive Forum at the weekend in Houston, Texas, where he received the award of ’Nigeria’s Governor of the Year’ 2014.

The former banker and auditor also listed prudent management of the resources of the State, economic enablers and aggressive attack on all forms of crime as the highlights of his performance in the past nine months of his administration.

Obiano wins Integrity, Anti-Corruption Award

The high-performing governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has been named winner of this year’s edition of the Nigeria Integrity and Anti-corruption Awards.

 

According to Ethics and Corporate Compliance Institute of Nigeria who instituted the awards, Governor Obiano earned the confidence of the awards panel for his commitment to public safety and security.

 

In the words of Dr Dagogo Lawrence, a spokesman of the institute, “Governor Obiano has demonstrated that the challenge of securing of lives and property could be prioritised and achieved with prudent leadership and focused direction.”

 

Governor Obiano Thanks Ndi Anambra for Peaceful Celebrations

The Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano has on behalf of the government of Anambra state expressed profound appreciation to Ndi Anambra for the peaceful and memorable Christmas and New Year celebrations witnessed in various communities in the state.

 

The governor was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and sense of duty displayed by Ndi Anambra through their positive response, attendance and participation in the activities and programmes of the maiden Anambra Heritage Festival which held from December 23 to 26, 2014. The Festival activities include Reading by Novelist and Newspaper Columnist, Prof. Okey Ndibe, Masquerade display at Ekweme Square, the Obiano Football Fiesta and the Jam Blast Music show held at the Ekwueme Square on the December 26, 2014.

 

Obiano Condoles with Jonathan on Passage of his Sister

The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has condoled with President Goodluck Jonathan on the passage of his sister, Mrs. Nancy Jonathan-Olei who recently died at the age of 53.

In a statement signed by James Eze, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Governor Obiano expressed a deep sense of regret that the late Mrs. Jonathan-Olei passed on at a very young age, describing her death as colossal loss to her family and the nation.

According to him, the late Mrs. Nancy Jonathan-Olei was a pillar of strength to her family while she lived and a tremendous influence on her community and the local church. “She stood tall among her fellow women, supporting her family and working as a stabilizing force in her immediate community,” Governor Obiano remarked, saying that the Jonathan-Olei family had lost an amazon.

PICTURES: Launch of Sale of Emblem to Mark the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day

“We are gathered here today to open up the floodgates of our national memory and spare some thoughts on the numerous sacrifices that the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have made to protect our freedom and preserve our nationhood”. These were the striking words of the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano at a special ceremony held yesterday to launch the sale of emblem to mark the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Conference Hall, Government House, Awka.

 

The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Nkem Okeke in appreciating the worthy roles of the armed forces in national security noted that “without the sacrifices of the Nigerian servicemen, there would have been no Nigeria today. We must never lose sight of their bravery nor fail to acknowledge their patriotism”

 

Present at the event were the Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chukwudi Orizu, Chief Judge of the State, Justice Peter Umeadi, Secretary to the State Government, Hon Oseloka Obaze, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Honourable Commissioners and many other political appointees.

 

Also at the ceremony were heads of the security agencies in the State;

 

Here is the event in pictures…

 

A Feast of Colour in Aguleri as Igwe Ogalagidi Marks 115th Ovala

The ancient kingdom of Aguleri exploded in a kaleidoscope of colours at the weekend to mark its 115th Ovala Festival. It was a feast of culture and opulence as the illustrious sons and daughters of Aguleri turned up in their largest number to celebrate with their Igwe – Eze C. N Idigo IV (Ogalagidi) as he marked yet another great year on the throne of his fathers. The 4-day cultural festival began on Friday with a rich display of the once dreaded Ada Masquerade which drew a mammoth crowd of youths from the neighbouring towns. There was also a ceremony for the induction of new members into Igwe’s Cabinet as well as the ceremonial firing of royal cannons and a lot of drumming and dancing.

Saturday January 3 was the main Ovala Day. It attracted an unprecedented crowd of very important personalities like government functionaries, congressmen and women, captains of industry, cultural aficionados, venerated royal fathers, the clergy, the youths and the elderly from all over Anambra State and beyond. The ebullient governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who is also a cabinet member in his hometown of Aguleri graced the occasion with some members of his cabinet and added colour to the day.

One of the highpoints of the event was the conferment of the title of Iboibo Aguleri on Chief Sir Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of APGA.

 

We serve you the pictures of this great event…

Obiano’s Wife Showers First Baby of the Year in Anambra with Gifts

The wife of the governor of Anambra State Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has described the birth of the first baby girl in Anambra State in the New Year as a good omen for the people of the state.

Chief Mrs Obiano who showered the new born who was delivered at 12am on New Year’s Eve with assorted gifts also observed that women bear good tidings which according to her are an indication of a positive outlook for the state and the people in the New Year.  Mrs. Obiano made the observation when she visited the new born on January 1, 2015 at Basic Health Centre, Court Road Onitsha, Anambra State.

Our New Year Hopes, Dreams Shall not Fall with Falling Oil Prices - Obiano

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has assured Ndi Anambra that their hopes and dreams for a prosperous year shall not fall with the falling price of oil in the international market.

 

Delivering his New Year Message to the people titled “Stretching to a New Height of Excellence,” Governor Obiano observed that “the future of any society lies in its capacity to look beyond the darkness and doubts of today and see a glimmer of hope in the shadows of tomorrow.”

 

According to him, though many experts have predicted a tough year for Nigeria in the face of plummeting oil prices, such forecasts would never dampen the aspirations of Ndi Anambra adding that “with our enormous human and material resources, we shall not surrender our ambitions to dwindling oil prices in the international markets. We shall draw on history and our past accomplishments to stretch the scope of our vision and expand the boundaries of our possibilities.”