Obiano takes over as Anambra gov, rolls out programme

The colourful ceremony which took place at the Ekwueme Square, Awka, attracted  dignitaries including the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Ben Obi,  South-East chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, Nigeria’s ambassador to  Spain and wife of former APGA Board of Trustees chairman, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, Obi […]

The colourful ceremony which took place at the Ekwueme Square, Awka, attracted  dignitaries including the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Ben Obi,  South-East chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, Nigeria’s ambassador to  Spain and wife of former APGA Board of Trustees chairman, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, Obi of Onitsha and chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe,  former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike  Ihejirika, Prince Arthur Eze, Chairman of Coscharis Group Chief Cosmas Maduka, Chairman of DEOF Foundation Chief Emeka Offor, members of the state and National Assemblies, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional  rulers and politicians.
 The state Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance first on the Deputy Governor-elect, Nkem Okeke and later on the governor-elect, Obiano.
In his inaugural speech, Obiano  thanked the people of the state  for their decision to elect him and his deputy to sustain the works of the former administration, noting that the sad story of the state changed after the eight years of APGA such that the state has become a reference point among others in the federation. He praised Peter Obi for re-writing the negative story of the state and being the first governor to perform the official handover ceremony to his successor since the state was created. He assured that his administration would work in a well structured  platform of honesty and extended his hands of fellowship to his political opponents including Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah of the Labour Party (LP), and Comrade Tony Nwoye of the PDP.
Obiano stated that measures have been put in place to attract the people of the state resident abroad to identify with home and help develop the state, just as he assured of continued partnership with international donor agencies. He said his administration would tackle the challenge of inadequate power supply and poor agricultural yield through establishment of independent power plants in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha, along with mechanized agriculture.
 Earlier in his speech, the outgoing governor, Obi expressed happiness that the state witnessed a smooth transition, adding that Anambra is now more stable and more financially viable and urged the people to cooperate with the new government. He advised his successor to remain focused and work for the future of the state.