Willie Obiano: Bye Bye….Bye!

DR. HARRIS CHUMA-ODILI, FCMsp 

By this time next week, Willie Obiano will no longer be governor of Anambra State, as Chukwuma Soludo will assume the role of new governor.

As a deep spirited onye Anambra, I have elected to take to this forum to say farewell to Obiano, and thank him for his service.

If you have been following my media exploits, you would agree with me that I was quite critical of Obiano’s administration; reason why many tagged me anti-APGA government, even as a member of the ruling party. I never stopped at speaking truth to power; my position in the scheme of things, had prompted some key political appointees to relate with me with leprosy gloves. At a point, the government media handlers sent social media shenanigans to discredit my efforts. With all sense of  purpose, I was leading on media activism, demanding good governance and productive leadership from Obiano’s government, even as a member of his party.

Sincerely, I’m proud of the role I played during Obiano’s administration. I didn’t stop at reminding him that he must not fail, thank goodness he listened, and did the needful. Yes, he did, because he was a listening governor, one who does not treat serious issues with levity. He is up to speed with news, and events around the state. Once you bring his attention to an issue, believe, he would quickly rise to the occasion. Obiano would pass as the governor who had dozens of media aides, because he wanted to make sure that his eyes were everywhere. 

Reminiscing on my last audience with Obiano; it was at his instance to join him and others on his usual weekend walk to assess the speed of work at the Anambra Airport. Soon, after the visit to the Airport, we all retired back to his magnificent country home in Aguleri where he hosted the guests to a sumptuous dinner. At the large and cozy auditorium, Obiano engaged the excited guests in a combo, he took a moment to describe me; “You see, this man, my brother in-law, ezigbote ogo mu, ezigbo mmadu (a nice guy), go and get palmwine “iti” for him, that’s what Ogbunike people like to drink. Harris is my inlaw, he writes well, and always speaks the truth. I, sincerely, appreciate his boldness, his bravery, but I must say that he is a time bomb”. And everyone burst into laughter. Yes, you see, Obiano’s analysis and submission on my character attributes and mannerisms as a “time bomb” was apt, well defined. It goes to show that he clearly understood that I was never an apologist of his government, but a friend of the house. 

As a media PR strategist, practicing in Anambra, it’s been highly rewarding and fun. I can confidently state that Obiano’s government never made any recognizable attempts at gagging the Press. As obtainable in some states, Obiano never harassed anyone who wrote against him or his government. The freedom of press was absolute so to say, in his time. Little wonder, recently, pundits are beginning to study the body language of the new governor, if he would travel the same route; only time will tell.

With nostalgic feelings, I recall about three years ago, when I led some Ogbunike indigenes to launch an advocacy programme in the media; deploying online media platforms to campaign vigorously on the urgent need for the government to address the untoward plights of ndi Ogbunike. Unfortunately, that didn’t go down well as most of his overzealous appointees of Ogbunike extraction felt embarrassed, and consequently challenged my guts. They gathered at the town hall and issued a Press Statement disassociating themselves from the media campaign for a better Ogbunike. They labelled me anti-APGA, anti-Osodieme, enemy of the motionless progressives politicians. The potbellied sycophants rose in defense of Indefensible. Thank God, the effort is yielding positive outcomes today, as some of the dilapidated roads in Ogbunike are currently receiving government attention.

The credit must go to all that made contributions to the success Obiano recorded in the state. I want to thank most especially, all those who served meritoriously in Obiano’s administration, who have been honoured with the prestigious Anambra Commanders Award; they should continue to contribute meaningfully to the project Anambra, and resist the temptation of walking away after the expiration of their tenure. 

We must not forget the fact that Anambra belongs to all of us, anything to make it work, should be our primary concern. Whether you are in the new government as an appointee or not, ensure to contribute your quota in the Smart City Agenda.

I wish to praise the APGA for providing the template through which dividends of democracy were provided for the people. 

Thank you Chief Willie Obiano! Thank you….My handsome in-law! Please, take good care of my beloved sister Ebelechukwu, like always; no Ill feelings. Goodbye Willie Obiano. Bye!

Ekenem!

Ogene Igbo.