Anambra 2017: APC aspirant unveiled his manifesto in Lagos

It was a gathering of Anambra stakeholders, family members, friends, well wishers, donors, kinsmen, old school mates and others last week Thursday. The venue was Welcome Centre Hotel along International Airport Road, Lagos and the time was 6:00pm. The atmosphere was cordial and the attendance was impressive and supportive.

It was all for the presentation of campaign manifesto by one of the leading All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in the November 18 Anambra governorship election, Engr. Barth Nwibe. Setting the ball rolling at the event was the master of ceremony, Mr Okey Eze, who took time to welcome and recognise the dignitaries that graced the occasion.

During the opening prayer and breaking of kolanut, former President-General Igboukwu Development Union (IDU) Chief Eric Nwobi prayed for a hitch-free governorship election in Anambra State and declared total support for Nwibe’s governorship ambition, stressing that it is a dream that must come true.

Nwobi said: “What amazed me was Nwibe’s commitment to his friends, relations, kinsmen and his support to whoever wants to make Anambra a better place. He is willing to serve selflessly. Little wonder, he has turned out to be one of the best in his engineering profession.

“He is second to none in chosen specialty-oil well drilling. He has built one of the most successful oil service companies in Nigeria-developed expertise, generated employment and created unquestionable wealth for himself and people. Nwibe has not kept his wealth alone. He is expending it on education, youth empowerment, Christian causes and humanitarian projects.”

After, Nwibe mounted the podium to unveil his manifesto amidst encomiums and standing ovation. Nwibe thanked the stakeholders, friends and others for making time to attend the event. He said that if elected governor of Anambra state, he would publish all the audited sources of revenues accrued to the state on monthly basis and how they were being spent. He enumerated the malaise in the state which include increased youth unemployment, dirty townships with blocked drainage and waterways, decaying health facilities, wasteful and frivolous expenditure of public funds, lack of transparency and accountability, lopsided appointments, infrastructural developments and others.

Nwibe said: “My major policy focus is to provide enabling environment, critical supports and guarantees that will revive all employment creation production and service facilities and create new ones especially in Agriculture and industries. To provide enabling atmosphere for the full development of oil and gas reserves in Anambra state to include the refining operations, gas production for domestic use, power and export.

“To provide the critical supports for the full attainment of a medical Tourism leader in Nigeria in partnership with our Diaspora brothers with specialist skills and managerial expertise all over the world. My target is to build a world class hospital in each of the three senatorial zones with linkage to existing hospitals.”

On his Ten-point Development Programme of Excellence For Anambra, Nwibe said: “This involves a holistic and grassroots marshal plan on how to reposition the State for better performance. The programme include power generation and industrialization of the state, eradicating wastage in government, security of lives and property, buy-Anambra initiative, integrated infrastructural development, make Anambra a health city, modernised and integrated agricultural development, education, youth development and woman empowerment, Think-home Thrust: Diaspora participation, and transportation.”

Also in his passionate appeal to people of Anambra state, Nwibe said: “Umunne Ndi Anambra, our state has come to a crossroad once again, and now you have the power to change the political fortunes of our beloved state. Elections are about choices. But this election isn’t just like any other. It is about deciding whether to switch to the right path to prosperity and good life for our people or to continue in the aimless journey to nowhere upon which our state has set out since this present government came to power.

“I am ready to be your governor and I fully understand what this means. A governor’s job is to ensure that government works for every citizen of the state and not for his kinsmen alone. A governor should bring people together and build bridges between urban and rural areas and harness the different viewpoints for the effective and overall development of the state. I cannot do this without your support. It starts indeed with your vote.”At the end of his presentation, many of the stakeholders, friends, supporters and others took turn and time to speak on the personality called Bart Nwibe.

Speaking to The Guardian at the end of the event, Nwibe said he was humbled and impressed by the massive support he has received from the people of Anambra State, promising that if elected governor, he will never disappoint them.