Maduako Igbokwe ,Onitsha
ONTISHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Aspirant for the November 6, 2021 governorship, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has said that his vision for Anambra State is rapid development. Ozigbo made the revelation while unveiling his ‘Ka Anambra Chawapu’ manifesto to key PDP stakeholders, officials and stalwarts in the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.
Speaking with the stakeholders Ozigbo decried the sorry state of the state’s capital, Awka, expressing his readiness to transform the capital city into a befitting metropolis. “In our 5-cluster development plan as highlighted in the Ka Anambra Chawapu manifesto, the untapped tourism potential of Anambra Central will be exploited through the ‘Visit Anambra’ agenda.
“Awka and her environs will be developed into a befitting state capital worthy of our state. We will invest in developing our tourism and attraction centres within the state capital and other places around the zone. Our ultimate aim is to make the zone a welcoming environment for tourism, travels and tours as well as a hub for massive educational development and transformation,” he revealed.
“The Nnewi Cluster, as captured in our development strategy, will be positioned as an industrial hub where government will encourage local manufacturing and export. We will give incentives to investors and ensure that it becomes fashionable to invest in Anambra,” Ozigbo continued.
“The world is currently technology-driven, and Anambra State cannot be left behind. We will focus on the Old Aguata Zone as a cluster for technology, ICT and digital development. We plan to launch a State-sponsored start-up investment program to provide seed capital to technology entrepreneurs.”
“Omambala and Ogbaru Clusters have been mapped as agricultural havens. Special attention will be given to the Omambala, Ogbaru and Awka North to ramp up production, and expand the value chain and create jobs.” he said .
According to him, another important cluster in the Ka Anambra Chawapu manifesto is the Onitsha and Idemili Cluster, which will be a commercial mainstay for Anambra, and in extension the South East region.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, also spoke on his bright chances of clinching the PDP ticket at the party’s primary and the main election. According to him, he stands an excellent chance of clinching the PDP ticket as he sees himself as the preferred consensus of a greater majority of party delegates.
“PDP must avoid the bickering and disunity that has bedeviled the party for the past 16 years. We have to take more proactive steps if we are to wrest power from the incumbent ruling party,” Ozigbo advised.
“PDP has tried the same methods in the past and look where they brought us. The forthcoming election presents a fresh opportunity for us to try something new, something different to obtain a different result,” he added.
Ozigbo, who is also the founder of Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation, pleaded with the stakeholders to see why they should key into the vision of the Ka Anambra Chawapu Manifesto, noting that the program is designed to rebuild the present and serve the future profitably.
“The demands of rebuilding our state will be easier if we all see ourselves as partners in the project,” he said. “Even before I made up my mind to run for governor, I had critically studied our state and can satisfactorily conclude that we possess every human and material resource needed to be the best state in the federation.
“I am, therefore, calling on all of us to dispose our minds and work in unity towards achieving everything stated in the Ka Anambra Chawapu Manifesto. I designed the project, but I definitely cannot do it alone. Therefore, I need your support, your input and your prayers at every point in time”, he stated .
The event was attended by key stakeholders from Anambra Central, among include Hon Dr C C Okeke, the Vice Chairman of PDP for Anambra Central Zone; Rt Hon Barr Kelue Molokwu, a former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Dr Patrick Nwangwu, a former medical attache at the Nigerian Embassy in Poland; Chief Shedrack Anakwue, a former Council Chairman in Awka North Local Government Area; Chief Nnamdi Mekoh, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra State; Lady Dr Ego Akabogu, a prominent bureaucrat; Chief Sebastine Okoye, a former Anambra State Commissioner for Environment; Chief Dazza Udeozo, a former Council Chairman in Njikoka Local Government Area; Hon Sir Edwin Ekwuno, a former Council Chairman in Idemili North Local Government Area; Engr Sir Ejike Mgbemena, the State Treasurer of the PDP.
Other are Barr Arinze Okaro (Ichie Egbu Umuoji); Chief CY Udoh; Sir Obum Osakwe, a party stakeholder; Lady Carol Ajuora; Chief Ike Obiekie; Hon Jimmy Etoniru, a former Deputy Council Chairman in Idemili South Local Government Area; Chief Goddy Eze, a former Council Chairman in Dunukofia Local Government Area; Chief Emma Ezenwude, and several other party stakeholders from the zone.
Several key members of the VCO Campaign Organization also graced the first-of-its-kind event, including Rt. Hon Eucharia Azodo, a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and a two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives; Hon. Tim Egboka, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Chief Ejike Oguebego, the immediate past Chairman of the PDP in Anambra State; Dame Love Ebeh, a former PDP woman leader in the state; Chief Tony Offiah, a prominent PDP stalwart; Chief Ikechukwu Akaeze, a former Chairman of the party in Dunukofia local government area.
Others are Dr Willy Emenari, a former Chairman of the PDP in Njikoka local government area; Chief Damian Nwafor; Chief Bartholomew Obagha; Dr Mirian Alike; Comrade Innocent Ugwo, the leader of the VCO Youth Movement; Mrs Oby Mezi, the woman leader of the VCO Youth Movement; Comrade Frank Ekpeha O, the Secretary of the VCO Youth Movement and many others.
