Anambra at 30: Anambra has lowest poverty index – Group

Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) a platform for Non state actors and stakeholders, has felicitated with Anambra State Government, friends and well wishers on the occasion of her thirty years of creation.

In a statement released by its Chairman, Prince Chris Azo, and signed by the organising secretary, Comrade Kenechukwu Makwudo, the group said, ‘Anambra State, was carved out of old Anambra on 27th August, 1991 as a result of the desire to scale up the potentials and dividends of development which since its creation, the State has taken a quantum leap in growth and infrastructural development, earning the fame, Light of The Nation.

“Currently, Anambra has the lowest poverty index in Nigeria, the highest growth rate of manufacturing outfits and import substitution in rice and vegetable production in Nigeria. Today, Anambra is the State with the lowest loan exposure and unemployment rate in Nigeria”

These feats have been further enhanced and sustained, through the able leadership of a reform and development conscious State Governor, Chief (Sir) Willie Obiano, who since mounting the saddle, has taken the State to unprecedented greater heights of prudent resource management, good governance and infrastructural development.

The statement however noted that Anambra State, undoubtedly meets an enviable standard as one of the fastest developing modern city in the world.

“The State has won various laurels such as, best State that supports MSMEs in Nigeria. Anambra students, in the past years have cleared most trophies in international competitions, to global delight and admiration”.

“In its drive for integrity and good governance, a new procurement law was enacted, with the inauguration and operationalization of a State Public Procurement Council and Bureau, attracting financial endorsements in the process”.

Moreso, the State was ranked top-notch for citizen participation in the budget process and public finance management, amidst on going reform of all people friendly laws for transparency, accountability and good governance.

“The current administration is touching lives and livelihoods, through Community Choose Your Projects initiative, Anambra Community and Social Development Projects (CSDPs) Operation Light up Anambra, Health Insurance Scheme, popularly known as ASHIA, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) and Anambra Small Businesses Agency (ASBA) for Ease of Doing Business; a strategy that is transforming the State tremendously”.

“And the BOMB, Umueri International cargo and passenger airport, with a ten thousand sitting capacity international conference centre.

“Anambra State also, enjoys the uncommon blessing of producing countless number of outstanding intellectuals and patriots, like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, the only Vice President of Igbo extraction, till date, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Eze Igbo Gburugburu, Prince Akweke Nwafor Orizu and Dr. Chuba Okadigbo (the only Senate Presidents of Igbo extraction) two speakers of the House of Representatives in the erudite personalities of Chief Edwin Umezuoke and Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, Professor Kenneth Dike (first Nigerian Vice Chancellor) Phillip Emeagwali, the computer guru, Professor Chike Obi, foremost mathematician, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, literary gurus, Chinua Achebe and Cyprian Ekwensi; the list is almost endless, including our numerous amazons”.

(ACSONET) has equally saluted the working Governor and encourage him to keep up the good work, and urged Anambra to keep hope alive, observe the prescribed COVID-19 and other safety protocols. And take responsibility, the statement concluded.