Giving Governance A Human Face, The Obiano Example

OBIKA CHIDIEBELE

It was the renowned French Political Scientist and Historian, Alexis de Tocqueville who said, “In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve”.

The good people of Anambra State have continued to reap the benefit of  voting Chief Willie Obiano as their governor in 2013 and in 2017 for a second term.

The governor had through series of people oriented programs and policies, proven that the people made the right choice.

Unlike what obtained sometime in the past, Chief Obiano had demonstrated that ndi Anambra are true owners and stakeholders in the state.

Shortly after assumption of office in 2014, he changed the fortunes of teachers in the state. He not only increased the salaries of the teachers, but added five thousand Naira extra to teachers that teach special subjects like, Igbo, Mathematics, other Science Technical Courses, and most interestingly, teachers working in hard-to-reach areas in the state. These hard-to-reach-areas include, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North, Ogbaru and Orumba South Local Government Areas. This good gesture has kept Anambra state on top of national examinations like WAEC, NECO and JAMB.

These interventions in the Education sector and the welfare package for our teachers have continued all through the  season of economic  recession witnessed in Nigeria in 2016. This is truly according governance a human face.

Now, to the crux of this report, the recent visit of Governor Willie Obiano to families who lost their loved ones to floods was demonstration of humane leadership.

The governor literally “relocated”  his office to the families of these bereaved citizens of the state. He side – stepped the reception by party faithfuls and stakeholders at the school fields and halls and went straight to the bereaved families’ homes, sat down with them, inquired first-hand what happened and condoled with them over their loss.

Worthy of note is the fact that the bodies of some of the deceased were yet to be recovered  at the time the governor visited. To this effect, the governor quickly set up a committee comprising the Members of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, Members of Ministry of Health, Environment and other stakeholders, to as a matter of urgency, recover these missing bodies within the shortest possible time.

Particularly at Anaku Community, Ayamelum, LGA, where the Achebe family lost a boy of 6years and a pregnant woman, the governor while condoling the family over their losses,  appealed to ndi Anambra to be mindful of their environment cautioning that, it is dangerous to walk in the flood.

“If you are driving, and there is a flash flood surging, do not continue, pull over by the side and wait for a few minute for it to subside”, was the remark of the governor Obiano when he visited the home of Late Miss Oluebube Sophia Savour from Amawbia, who died inside a vehicle that struggled to drive past a flash flood around Landmark Hotel Amawbia/Nibo section.

During the visit, the governor used the opportunity to advice the people about the menace of flooding, the vulnerability of the Anambra statescape to severe environmental harzads like flooding, erosion and futher decried the unwholesome activities of some citizens on the environment.

The homes visited during the governor’s visit include: Achebe Family, Anaku, Ayamelum LGA, Ivediegwu Family, Igbariam, Anambra East LGA, Godwin Ojadi Ezinwa Family, Nteje, Oyi LGA, Offiaeli Family, Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA and Pst Saviour Family, Amawbia, Awka South LGA.