BEVERLY HILLS, CA, March 17, (THEWILL) – Dr. Willie Obiano Monday took the oath of office as Governor of Anambra State for a tenure of four years following the expiration of the tenure of Governor Peter Obi, who served the state for eight years.
The ceremony was held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka and had in attendance Obi as well as other dignitaries including the Special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on inter party matters, Senator Ndii Obi, who stood in for the President.
In his address to the large crowd that witnessed the swearing in ceremony, Governor Obiano thanked voters for choosing wisely in electing him alongside his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke to lead the state.
Chief Obiano, an ex-banker and technocrat, who won the November 16th and 30th 2014 gubernatorial elections on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in a highly inspiring address titled, Expanding the Frontiers of Excellence; preached about unity and political healing.
Obiano who is the fourth democratically elected governor Anambra State sought to rouse the consciousness of ndi Anambra by reminding them of the Igbo industry and ingenuity when he said “a people who astonished the world with their ingenuity and resourcefulness during wartime can lend a weighty hand to efforts to re-make our world in peace-time.” The time has come to prove to ourselves that the entrepreneurial spirit for which we are known all over the world can take firm roots at home; that together as one we can be masters,” said.
His call for love was further affirmed by President Jonathan through his representative Senator Ben Ndi Obi, an adviser on Inter-party affairs who said that the present peaceful dispensation which the state enjoys evidently displayed at the celebrations should be sustained. President Jonathan confirmed public speculations about Governor Obi political career at the Presidency as a soon to be federal executive council member.
The celebration marked a united front by politicians in the state with all local governments and their officials present despite their political inclinations. It is the first time in the history of Anambra State of a successful transition of power between two governors in a civil and democratic atmosphere.
In an emotional laden speech the outgoing Governor Obi in clear terms advised Governor Obiano that “Your agreement is with the children of Anambra state. Give them a better future, give them a better Anambra and it will be well with you. You are not indebted to anybody. I am not indebted to anybody. I came with my car I leave with my car back to my home.”
Celebrations were held in all local governments presided over council chairmen aside the state capital, Awka where the inauguration took place to usher in the new government. It was a colourful display of dancers, masquerades and female groups who took to the streets to celebrate the transition.
Excerpts from his address reads: “Beloved Anambrarians, with humility, I stand before you today, to accept this historic responsibility that you have given to me to serve. Our great leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, advised Ndigbo that only wise political choices would ensure their survival as a nation within a nation. I am proof that you heeded that advice.
“I wish to assure you that you made a wise choice when you voted me and Dr. Nkem Okeke as your governor and deputy governor. Not only that, in voting for our great party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, you once again listened to the wise advice of the great American Civil Rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King Jnr, that; “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools…”
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