Anambra at 33: There is so much to be thankful for

On August 27 – next Tuesday to be precise – Anambra State will be 33 years old. The old Anambra State, comprising the present Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States was created in 1976 by late General Murtala Mohammed and, in 1991, General Ibrahim Babangida created Anambra and Enugu States from the old Anambra State. The new Anambra had to start from the scratch as the following infrastructure – which were the pride of the old Anambra State – went with the new Enugu State: the international airport; the federal university (UNN); the university teaching hospital and even the foremost indigenous automotive company in Nigeria, Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Limited (ANAMMCO). There is a long list of assets that went to Enugu State.

But Anambra State – the second smallest state after Lagos in terms of land mass – was left with its most valuable assets: its human resources and the can-do spirit of its people. With these assets, Anambra State is currently transforming itself.

Let us start with manufacturing – auto manufacturing to be precise. Today, nobody really grieves that ANAMMCO – which many believed would have been what Detroit is to the United States when it was commissioned in 1980 by the first executive president of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari – did not go with the new Anambra State but rather went with Enugu.  Interestingly, today, with the ingenuity of one very distinguished citizen of Anambra, Anambra has made its mark in the African automobile industry. The recent announcement that Innosson Motors exported $4.7 million worth of vehicles to Sierra Leone marks a significant milestone in the African automotive industry and positions Anambra as a potential key player in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  At the moment, the company has the number one citizen of Anambra as its chief marketing officer: just like no American leader would use a car not made in America, Governor Chukwuma Soludo uses an Innosson product as his official vehicle. The governor of Abia State followed suit.

Today, Anambra is home to some of the biggest players in the electrical cable manufacturing and food processing industries.

Anambra does not only stand out in business, the state is blessed with good leadership and hardworking people. In December 2022, a Business Insider Africa article reported that Anambra was the 4^th state in the country with the lowest poverty rate (see link: https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/top-10-states-in-nigeria-with-the-lowest-poverty-rate/xehtlwn). Governor Soludo’s policies in the healthcare, education and infrastructure space have also played a great role in reducing poverty in Anambra State.

In terms of education, Anambra stands out in Nigeria. The state has the lowest number of out of school children in the country. Primary and secondary school enrolments in the state are one of the highest in the country. [Thanks to Governor Soludo’s free education policy and the efforts of successive governments]. Citizens of Anambra have also excelled in education.  The first black man to ever attain the position of Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom, Professor Charles Egbu, is from Abatete. Another distinguished scholar, Professor Kenneth Dike, first Nigerian Vice Chancellor, is from Awka. The list is endless. Recently, Governor Soludo named Anambra’s airport after one of Nigeria’s finest professor and literary giant, Chinua Achebe. [Today, Anambra has its own airport and is desirous of making this airport the envy of other states].

In terms of Nigeria’s politics, the state has produced a vice president and two senate presidents. It has also produced two speakers of the house of representatives. In the international arena, the only Nigerian that has occupied the office of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth is from Anambra State, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

The biggest market in Africa, based on geographical size and volume of goods is in Anambra.  And here is some good news: the design for turning Onitsha Main Market into a 21^st century market is almost complete. Governor Soludo is determined to make Onitsha the capital of commerce in Africa. With the good leadership – which we now enjoy in Anambra – this is possible. [Many important roads in Onitsha, which were in very bad states, have been given a facelift in the last 2 years].

In the coming months, Anambra will have a green and conducive government house. This will be coming 33 years after the state has stayed without a decent government house and lodge. Off course, one of Nigeria’s most attractive fun and amusement parks will be commissioned soon in Anambra. With this fun park, the GDP of Anambra will change forever.

The citizens of Anambra have been very successful and the state remains amongst the few states with a high density of millionaires per square meter. This success has come with its own challenges: criminals flock to Anambra from neighboring states because of the success of Ndi Anambra. Fortunately, Anambra State is developing the most sophisticated security architecture in Nigeria. [With Governor Soludo’s approach there is no hiding space for criminals in Anambra]. And in terms of number of crimes per year, Anambra still remains amongst the states with the lowest incidences in the country. Governor Soludo is working to make Anambra one of the safest states in Nigeria. The governor needs the support of every citizen of Anambra. Community policing and citizen participation in policing are the way to go.  Regrettably, the media have not been very helpful with their reportage of criminal incidences in Anambra. Last week, some sections of the media – including national dailies – falsely reported that gunmen kidnaped eight people and injured 12 people during a traditional ceremony in Nanka Community of Orumba North local government area of Anambra State. This was just a figment of the imagination of the reporter as nothing of such happened.

The future of Anambra is bright. In the coming months, the construction of three brand-new cities will commence in Anambra. There is no doubt that Governor Soludo will take this great state to an enviable height. It is the duty of well-meaning citizens and residents of Anambra to keep supporting the governor.

Nwankwo is the special adviser to Soludo on special projects.