25th anniversary: Osun, Anambra, Delta, Kogi, others celebrate

SOME states created on August 27, 1991 are presently celebrating their 25th anniversary in different ways across the country.

Abia, Osun, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Enugu Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi,Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa states were created at the time.

Commemorating the day in Kogi State, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Bolanle Amupitan, urged the citizens to be patient with the current administration in the interest of everyone.

Amupitan called on citizens to allow peace to reign and cooperate with the state governor to move the state forward.

In Awka, Anambra State, Governor Willie Obiano said that the state has evolved through different stages of growth and remains one of Nigeria’s most important states.

In a special broadcast on Saturday, he commended the men and women who managed the affairs of the state as military administrators and governors before him.

“Brothers and sisters, we have reasons for hope. Let us join hands and continue to build a state that will be the envy of Africa in the next 25 years.

“We must strive to seek the face of God by showing love to one another, supporting one another and having the grace to say ‘sorry’ when we are wrong,’’ he said.

Obiano said that his administration had adopted a new development strategy: “Anambra Economic Transformation Programme’’ to enhance the integrated development of the state.

“This strategy was developed to match our new public sector efficiencies with the growing interest of the private sector in order to achieve a set of clearly established goals,’’ he said.

In Asaba, Delta State, government cancelled the monthly sanitation exercise for the celebration.

The Director of Sanitation in the state, Mr Lucky Adah, said that if movement was not restricted, the celebration might be affected.

He said that the state Ministry of Environment had earlier cleaned up streets in the state and appealed to the residents to continue in embracing good hygiene.

Jibrilla, others observe peace walk

In Adamawa State, Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla on Saturday led members of his cabinet and citizens of the state in a six-kilometre peace walk to celebrate the 25th year of the state’s creation out of the defunct Gongola State.

Speaking after the walk which started from Yola Police Roundabout to Doubeli junction, Jibrilla advocated peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of the state.

He called for more support for his administration to enable it to deliver on its campaign promises.

He also said that his administration had resolved to resuscitate the monthly sanitation exercise to keep the newly constructed and rehabilitated township roads and drains in the state clean.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Malam Ahmed Sajoh, said activities lined up for the celebration included special prayers, lectures, cultural display and sanitation exercise.

Dignitaries that participated in the walk included Deputy Governor, Martins Babale; the Secretary to the  State Government, of the state, Dr Umar Bindir and the Vice-Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Dr Moses Zaruwa.

Ekweremadu, Nnamani, Chime shun Enugu celebration

In Enugu State, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu;  ex-governors of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime, on Saturday, shunned the 25th anniversary of the creation of the  state held at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, even as the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, lauded founding fathers of the state, He said he would amend the pension scheme so as to accommodate past leaders, particularly elders who had contributed meaningfully to the state.

Ugwuanyi, who gave the news while marking the silver jubilee, said the proposed amended pension laws would accommodate all the past civilian governors of old Anambra state.

The governor also stated that the state would reconstitute the elders council that would help provide the necessary guidance and counsel to ensure seamless development of Enugu State.

“We intend to amend the Pension Laws of the state to accommodate past civilian governors of the old Anambra state and their deputies in appreciation of their contributions and services to the state.

“I will also use this platform to announce our decision to reconstitute the Enugu State Elders’ Council which we believe will help provide the necessary guidance and counsel to ensure the seamless development of Enugu State,” Governor Ugwuanyi said.

Ugwuanyi used the occasion to reiterate his commitment to take development to the rural areas as part of strategy to create new urban areas, boost socioeconomic activities, create employment opportunities and reduce the pressure on Enugu metropolis.

He said that the state would continue to pursue the diversification of the state’s economy through full exploitation of vast land resources, particularly in Nsukka and Greater Awgu areas to boost agricultural production.

The governor paid tributes to the founding fathers of the state, most especially the former governor of old Anambra State, late Chief Christian Onoh, for the relentless efforts in ensuring that Enugu State was created.

Some of the prominent personalities who graced the occasion included Chief Ken Nnamani, former Senate President; former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo; ex-governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, former military governors among others.

Adeleke, Oyinlola, Akande, others absent in Osun

In Osun State, former civilian governors, namely Senator Isiaka Adelele, Chief Bisi Akande, and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola were absent at Osogbo Township Stadium venue of the celebration of the state’s 25th anniversary, where dignitaries were treated to calisthenic displays by public school pupils.

Besides, two of the invited past military administrators of the state, Colonel Leo Segun Ajiborisa (rtd) and Colonel Anthony Obi, were also absent.

Though Sunday Tribune could not ascertain the reason for the absence at the event, a source disclosed  that all the past civilian governors and military administrators of the state were duly invited for the celebration.

However, despite the downpour that almost affected the celebration, the calisthenic display by pupils of public schools held the audience spellbound for over three hours.

Addressing guests at the ceremony, governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, described the anniversary as historic, saying his administration would not waiver in its resolve to develop physical, mental and social capabilities of the citizenry, with a view to making them productive to in the society.

While contending that qualitative education is crucial to all individuals, he averred that his government had not only developed the individual intellectual strength, but also provided them with befitting learning environment to motivate and enhance their effective learning.

Aregbesola, who stressed that the anniversary was centred on the state’ youths, said it was aimed at boosting their confidence and self-reliance, observed that the calisthenic displays were simply marvelous and awesome spectacles to behold.

At the event, former administrators of the state, Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye and Navy Captain Anthony Udofia  lauded Aregbesola for bringing physical developments to Osun State through the implementation of projects and provision of infrastructure that have have positive impacts on the people.

Dignitaries at the anniversary included former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Oluseyi Petirin (rtd); former Deputy Governor, Chief  Adeleke Adewoyin; wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga.

Others are former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Wale Omole; Lagos APC leader, Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Senators Jide Omoworare (Osun West senatorial district) and Prof. Sola Adeyeye (Osun Central); Senators Olu Alabi and Mudathir Hussain.