SOON, YOU WILL ENJOY HAPPILY IN ANAMBRA STATE

We hope you have been enjoying your Christmas holiday. You may have reconnected with your folks back home, worshipped in your local church, attended Umunna meetings, witnessed weddings, funerals and other ceremonies, etc.

The above paints a vivid picture of the dreary Christmas holiday we are used to, which a friend of mine mischievously calls a hollow ritual. This bores the younger generation to the bone marrow, perhaps with the exception of watching masquerade displays here and there. So coming home for Christmas is not something they look forward to with enthusiasm like most of their parents and older relatives.

Governor-Elect, Cee Cee Soludo sees things differently. He will seek to turn Anambra into the Hollywood of Nigeria. His masterpiece, The Soludo Solution,. A People’s Manifesto For A Greater Anambra, reads in part, “Our goal is to develop Africa’s largest, safe and accessible entertainment-leisure resort, the African equivalent of Disney World.” The implementation will have an international appeal with a strong local feel. The world will come to Anambra and Anambra shall benefit from the immense linkages to the local economy plus government revenues. A timetable of major cultural events will be agreed with Traditional Rulers while key heritage sites will be identified and promoted. There are many of such heritage sites such as the Ogbunike Caves, Odinani Museum at Nri, Ogbagu Cave in Awa, Ogba Ukwu Caves and Waterfall in Owerre Ezuakala, etc.

So while leapfrogging Anambra as an industrial hub, crystallizing the new economy, modernizing trade and commerce and expanding the agricultural value chain for rapid economic transformation, a veritable entertainment and leisure industry will ensure that the world, including our diaspora populace will come to Anambra in millions every year to relax happily. Christmas in Anambra will be one of the key festive and cultural events that offer memorable experiences to all who return home, especially the younger generation. In addition, this can be a lure to bring home our nascent globalising tribe to imbibe the spirit of home first.

As they say, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Be of good cheer.

Joe Anatune
Writes from Awa