Appreciating Security In Anambra During The Yuletide
Written By: Ikenna Aniagbaso
Governor Willie Obiano’s achievement in security can easily
be measured by the thousands of Ndi Anambra and their friends who visited the
state to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities. Governor had asked Ndi
Anambra to return home for the Christmas and New Year holidays, assuring them
of safety. From verifiable indications, the call was heeded and the Yuletide
and New Year festivities were celebrated in peace and safety.
Anambra was agog with activities. Every high profile event
was attended by the top elite of the political, traditional, business and
entertainment class, unlike some years ago when Christmas holiday and other
events such as traditional weddings were celebrated outside the state.
But the story was different this time as notable
personalities of Anambra descent returned home for the festivities and hosted
their events on home soil. Many other religious and social events like annual
thanksgiving and harvest programmes, traditional and church weddings, Ofala
festivals, concerts, house warming, child dedications, family reunions, title
taking ceremonies and lots more, which took place within the period, were
totally crime-free.
The peaceful and secure environment ushered in new additions
in the entertainment schedule of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Interestingly, the state became home for top Nigeria’s DJs, Comedians, hip hop
and afro beat stars and other numerous homegrown and upcoming artistes.
Phyno, Slow Dog and Mr Real set the ball rolling with
outstanding performances at the Voices of Happiness Christmas Carols and
Concert, organized by the Anambra State Government. This was followed
sequentially by other privately organized events, which attracted entertainment
icons like Tuface Idibia, Davido, Nigga Raw, DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune, KCee
and Flavour n’Abania among many others
Amazingly, these events happened, sometimes simultaneously,
in the over 2000 villages making up the 179 communities in Anambra state
between December 25, 2019 and January 10, 2020, and even beyond.
The sheer number of people at every of the event and the
traffic generated by vehicles on Anambra roads gave the impression that more
people returned home to Anambra this festive season than any other season in
the past 6 years, yet the state remained peaceful and crime free. Ndi Anambra,
indeed, enjoyed their holiday in comforting safety and reassuring security.
But then, the Obiano-led Government prepared ahead of time.
Security has always been Sir Willie’s priority. His efforts from the early days
of his administration in 2014, helped the state to transform from a notorious
and crime-prone state to the present, popular and widely adjudged safest state
in Nigeria.
The Governor’s periodical and seasonal launch of security
operations like Operation Udoka, Operation Kpochapu I, Christmas Security
Operation and more recently, Operation Kpochapu II, has also aided the
sustenance of his major achievements in security. This, probably, is one of the
reasons why Pope Francis, from far away Rome, Italy, spotted Governor Willie
Obiano for investiture as KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE PONTIFICAL ORDER OF SAINT
GREGORY THE GREAT (KCSG).
As 2020 begins to pick up, it gladdens the heart that
despite daunting safety and security challenges, adequate preparations,
motivation of security personnel, massive and timely deployment of equipment,
including but not limited to, mobile surveillance cameras, surveillance
helicopters, smart city patrol vehicles and motorbikes, fire-fighting
equipment, etcetera, helped to ensure that Anambra state had a peaceful and
joyful festive season.
It is clear that the state cannot go back to the dark days
of lawlessness and impunity, for Governor Obiano has laid the security roadmap
and the course to a safer and more secure Anambra.
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