Former Minister of Information, Labran Maku bares his mind on the state of insecurity in Nigeria and what the governors must do to attract development to their respective domains. Maku recommends the Obiano Formula to the governors of the Northern parts of Nigeria and other states that are facing security challenges.
Read all this in the excerpts of an interview he granted at the ceremony marking the 2015 Zik Prize for Leadership in Lagos at the weekend as presented By James Eze.
Excerpts –
“We know that Governor Obiano has been one of the most impactful governors in this dispensation.
“He is a very serious man and since his assumption of leadership in Anambra State, we have seen changes in the direction of governance, we have seen seriousness and focus in the development of infrastructure, we have seen prudence in the management of scarce resources of Anambra State to the extent that in spite of the current economic challenges across the nation he remains one of the very few governors that have been able to carry on the project of modernization of Anambra State, industrialization, without hampering the welfare of his workforce.
“Today Anambra remains very regular in the payment of salaries which cannot be taken for granted anymore in Nigeria if you consider the fact that 27 states have declared that they can no longer pay salaries. He has continued to pay salaries.
“And we are also aware that since assuming office, he has not taken a single kobo from the bank. Not a dime, in loan! This is really exemplary. It shows prudence, it shows discipline in the management of men and resources.
“But over and above that, Awka is wearing a new look. We are beginning to see flyovers that we used to see only in Lagos and Abuja and Akwa Ibom. It is now creeping into Anambra State.
“And Awka which was sleepy and provincial is now assuming the position of the commercial headquarters of not only Anambra State but the South East.
“We are very happy with the performance of Governor Obiano.
“But there is something that I want to mention. I am personally impressed by his programme on peace and security.
“We know that before this dispensation, Anambra used to be a place where people were afraid to visit.
“But presently I am happy to say that suddenly, Anambra State has become the center of peace and tranquility.
“Today, Onitsha that used to be very tough for visitors now has a 24 hour life. Kidnapping is gone. Robbery is gone.
“Peace has returned to the extent that Anambra is now the highest receiver of foreign direct investment in the south East and maybe one of the highest in Nigeria.
“So if he continues like this, and he maintains his programme on peace and security, infrastructure, focused governance, transformation of rural areas through focus on agriculture and his new programme of par
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