BY SUNNY DAVID
Anambra state government has declared Thursday and Friday as work free days in the state.
Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano gave the announcement during the 2021 public service day celebration, at the Jerome Udeorji secretariat complex, Awka.
Our correspondent reports that the holiday is to enable the state workforce to prepare for Saturday’s election, asking them to moblize their neighbours because the election must hold.
He thanked the state workforce for the cooperation between them and his administration, stressing that he has fulfilled his promises to them and added more, expressing his desire of having Professor Soludo succeed him.
The governor explained that his support for him is as a result of his pedigree and confidence in his ability to develop and manage Anambra resources assuring that he will perform better if elected.
In a speech, the Head of Service, Barrister Harry Uduh said that Governor Obiano has kept faith with Anambra workers since inception of his administration, pointing out that the governor has been consistent with payment of salaries, pensions, leave allowances, periodic civil service trainings among other incentives.
The APGA Standard Flagbearer in Saturday’s gubernatorial election, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, flanked by his running mate, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, promised to stand on the foundation laid by the Governor for consolidation and continuity, revealing his plans of job creation for greater number of Ndi Anambra as a way of maintaining the pride of State.
While describing civil servants as the foundation of every government, Professor Soludo pledged that if elected, by next year, once the finances can carry salary and other payments adjustments, his administration will implement it, asking the State workforce to come out and exercise their franchise in Saturday’s election which he said is very critical to the progress and advancement of the State.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, National Light Newspapers, Comrade ABC Ubani who spoke on behalf of five hundred and thirty others, revealed that since the creation of Anambra State, before the advent of Governor Obiano, no Governor had paid their pensions and thanked the Governor for being magnanimous in governance.
Also speaking, the Chairman Anambra Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Mr. Joevita Arazu, pledged that they will vote for the government in power to ensure continuity.
Earlier, the popular Nigerian actor, Chinwetalu Agu, praised Professor Soludo for the debt relief he achieved for the country during his time at the Central Bank, among other laudable programs, stating that he does not joke with Anambra because of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s axiom of Nke a bu nke anyi, which represents Ndi Igbo, applauding the Governor for his achievements in the state.
Present at the event were members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of statutory Commissions, Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatals which witnessed award presentations, cutting of cake and music performances by Anambra civil servants.
