Obiano Reawakened Quality Entertainment in Anambra, but there was a Snag
By Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili,FCMsp
It is only a blind man that would see something and fail to recognize it. For the 8-year expedition, Obiano’s administration reawakened quality entertainment in Anambra. Unarguably, the Capital City Awka became the core Nollywood hub, as filmmakers, artistes, content creators, music promoters, and movie production outfits besieged Awka for filming and world premieres. Suddenly, the cinema culture took centre stage. Bubbling Charts of entertainment programmes adorned the billboards in the Capital City, we began to witness worldclass beauty pageantry showtimes, Prestigous Awards ceremonies, Mega live music listening parties, thespians hangouts, onlinemedia community events, full scale comic-drama shows, and reels. Dozens of Nightclubs sprang up from different corners of the City; beautiful hotels, eateries, exquisite lounges and exotic bars berthed. Ndi ogbono started arriving Anambra in droves, Awka dwarfed Owerri, and Asaba.
For once in history, ndi Anambra home and diaspora became proud of their state. Nite-life returned, those of us living outside Anambra state would come home every month to groove at the capital city, have fun and without inhibitions exercised our civic responsibilities at the notorious,sorry, popular Abakiliki street now renamed Club road(smiles). The vibrant hospitality industry reawakened the spirit of Anambra, and we merried. Security was topnotch, not until lately that things fell apart.
For me, the only visible, yet painful snag in Obiano’s tourism polices was his inability to fulfill the promise made to ndi Ogbunike about making the ancient cafe, a world class tourist destination. May I most respectfully make a request proposal that the incoming governor Soludo should see to it because governent is a continuum. If well developed, Ogbunike Cave can spin the economy to the benefits of the state. The international conference center should have been sited at Ogbunike Cave, just the way Agulu is enjoying the lake hotel rechristened Golden Tulip. The airport’s proximity to Ogbunike would have made the international conference center more accessible.
In all, Obiano’s administration successfully redefined progressive governance, that has provoked ndi Anambra to be proud of their home state. Prof CC Soludo, should after March 17, be benevolent, make a scheduled visit to Ogbunike Cave for the breaking of kolanut and showers of blessing from the land of Iguedo, and we will chorus “Charley Nwangbafor, arapukwana anyi aka ooooo”.iseeeeee ooooooo!
Ekenem
Ogene Igbo
