Anambra Airport City Shall Be Completed, Obiano Assures

By Kingsley Ezekwelu

Gov Willie Obiano has assured that the Anambra International Airport City project will be completed in his second term.

The governor who spoke at the official launch of the Emeka Anyaoku Institute of International Studies and Diplomacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University auditorium, Awka explained that the Aerotropolis which is to be executed under a tripartite arrangement involving the State government, Orient Petroleum Resources Limited and a Chinese firm, has the capacity to engender socio-economic transformation of the entire SouthEast.


He revealed that the investing company will commence topography studies and other preliminary works on the site next month. He noted that the forthcoming November 18, 2017 governorship election in the state was all about sustaining the consistency of good governance.

He commended the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku for his numerous contributions towards the growth and development of the country, especially in the resolution of intra and inter-nation crises all over the world. He therefore described the honour of naming the institute after him as well deserved.

The launch was attended by eminent Nigerians including former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan represented by former Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, former Chief of General staff, Air Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma and former Minister of External Affairs, General ike Nwachukwu.

Others were former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili; President, Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Dr John Nnia Nwodo; former governor Dame Virgie Etiaba; traditional rulers and members of the academia amongst others.

The Chairman on the occasion and former Minister of External Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu noted that the honor is a reward for outstanding exploits in the service of the nation and the world and said Nigeria requires such Institute now more than ever in view of her numerous socio-ethnic challenges.

Former Head of State, General Abubakar in his goodwill message described Chief Anyaoku as an iconic diplomat and congratulated him for the honor done to him.

The father of the day, General Danjuma, acknowledged that Nigeria is a great country that is blessed with talents across the various ethnic groups and said what is important is to tap into the strength that lies in their diversity, suggesting that the nation needs to restructure but not through violence.

On his part, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo said Anambra through the efforts of Gov Obiano and the contributions of his predecessors, presents a shining example of excellence and the university is taking a cue.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice chancellor of the University, Prof Joseph Ahaneku said the event marks a quantum leap towards the realization of the University's core mandate of teaching and learning, research and providing platform for public discourse towards community development.

The event also witnessed the Presentation of a documentary on Chief Anyaoku, and another on the proposed project as well as numerous goodwill messages.