Zacheaus Somorin
8 July 2009
interview
Lagos — Chief Sam Okey Nwosu. an industrialist, business magnate and political commentator in this interview with Zacheaus Somorin in Lagos bares his mind on how the prevailing atmosphere of insecurity could scare away investors from Anambra State as well as why the state has not attained its full potentials despite its rich endowments in human and material resources. He says that all the problems could be overcome, if leaders could behave like statesmen and de-emphasise politics
What, in your view, are Anambra's endowments?
Everybody in the country's Southeast, Southwest and in deed, the whole of Nigeria, recognises the fact that Anambra is endowed with numerous potentials in tourism, culture, commerce and industry. In fact, although it is not commonly talked about, Anambra has crude oil deposits too; they say it is Nigeria's so called strategic reserve, whatever that means. However, I believe that the greatest blessing God has given Anambra, in terms of endowment, is human resources.
Anambra is a state that has produced, and is still producing great names and great minds. Anambra is a land of eminent personalities. Perhaps, more than any other state, Anambra has produced and continues to spawn role models. Although some of these distinguished individuals have passed on, many of such beacons exist even among today's generation.
The Rt. Hon Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Reverend Fr. Emmanuel Tansi, the only Nigerian to be beatified by the Catholic Church, Sir Louis Ojukwu, businessman extraordinaire, Chief Augustine Ilodibe of Ekene Dili Chukwu Transport fame, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Nwafor Orizu former Senate Presidents, Prof. Chike Obi, Cyprian Ekwensi, Pius Okigbo, Chief Clement Akpamgbo, Prof. Ben Enwonwu and Osita Osadebe are among deceased Nigerian heroes that Anambra gave Nigeria, while the living legends include Cardinal Emmanuel Arinze, he almost became Pope, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Prof. Chinua Achebe, a literary guru of world renown, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice President of Nigeria, renowned architect, scholar, businessman and accomplished politician, and a celebrated artist and art scholar Prof. Uche Okeke.
Aside these older folks, younger generation of Anambra's (wizkids) include renowned computer guru Philip Emeagwali, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Prof (Mrs.) Oby Ezekwesili, Prof (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili, Osita Chidoka a brilliant young man who at just 36 years of age is making his mark at the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) as the helmsman and Chief Cosmas Maduka, founder of Coscharis Industries, Cletus Ibeto of the Ibeto Group, among others too numerous to mention.
Aside from that, what else do you think Anambra can offer Nigeria? Secondly, what is militating against actualisation of Anambra's full potentials?
The answer to the first leg of your question is that Anambra has great potential to galvanize technological revolution in Nigeria, nay West Africa. On the second leg, I believe the first drawback to the actualization of our potentials is poor state of infrastructure, especially the lingering power crisis. You can't industrialise without energy or electricity. Secondly, there is the problem of insecurity, and thirdly lack of political will by our leaders. Then last, but not the least, deep-rooted corruption in every facet of the Nigerian society.
You can't have industrialization without power. In Nnewi, there are industries that fabricate all sorts of auto spare parts, engine parts, brake pads bolts, nuts and what have you. The products of some of these companies even outclass imported ones. For example, Cutix and Joalis wires are regarded as among the best in the country. These wires are generally preferred to imported ones.
Another worthy example is Innoson Group. Innoson Group produces motorbikes with more than 40 per cent Nigerian content. There are countless other manufacturers across Nnewi, which is like Little Japan. With such development, Anambra should have been industrialized long ago. Unfortunately, this has not materialized because of epileptic power supply. Companies are moving out in droves to neighboring countries because of this same problem.
In your view, to what extent has the upsurge in crime adversely affected Anambra's business environment?
The answer is very simple and direct: We're in my house for this interview. If you heard that armed robbers were here, would you come for this interview; not to talk of coming here to invest? Until this issue of insecurity is tackled headlong, we are in for a very rough ride in Anambra State. Now, those of us that invested in Anambra are beginning to wonder if we didn't make a mistake.
You also identified lack of political will among factors slowing down Anambra State. Can you throw more light on that?
When I say lack of political will before I go on, I would like to describe my relationship with Governor Peter Obi, just to be sure that I'm not here holding brief for anybody. I did not get any government patronage throughout the tenure of Governor Chris Ngige because rightly or wrongly he believed I was Peter Obi's man.
Eventually, Nigige left office and Governor Obi came on board. Since the current governor assumed office, I have not received any government patronage in any of my businesses. So, the governor is neither a close friend nor an enemy. He is the Chief executive of my state to that extent I am loyal just like any good citizen.
Having said that; I would blame all of us for the insecurity in Anambra State: The elite, the general citizenry, the government, every one of us is guilty of not doing the right thing, leading to the prevailing insecurity. The governor cannot carry arms and ammunition and begin to pursue robbers in the street, simply because he is Chief Security Officer of the state.
What are your views on the forthcoming 2010 governorship election in Anambra State?
As usual, there'll be campaigns by political parties fielding candidates. I've heard that some 15 to 20 people are already eyeing Governor Obi's seat. But the truth of the matter is that for now, Governor Obi is incumbent and nobody can do anything about that until the election; if he seeks re-election and the people re-elects him fine, otherwise someone else mounts the saddle. As is commonly said, election is a game of numbers; so, how you play your politics will determine the result you get at the end of the day.
However, from my vantage point, I see chaos in the pipeline because the leading two parties are racked by fractionalisation. This is why I foresee a chaotic situation.
My plea to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to allow our vote count. We beg them, in the name of 'The rule of law' to allow our votes count.
This 2010 election in Anambra State has staggered the election calendar of Nigeria, but I don't think it is a bad development for our democratic progress. The forthcoming governorship election in Anambra will attract the attention of the whole world and determine the sincerity or otherwise of the Federal Government regarding free and fair election in Nigeria.
Anambrarians will be the ones dancing in the arena, but if we don't come out to vote, and defend our franchise, then a wrong governor could be foisted on us and for another four years, we will be groaning.
So, I beg the Federal Government and INEC, in the name of God, to please let our vote count. If the people know that their votes will count, then the politicians will be forced to devise good programes and manifestos and campaign vigorously. Politics in Anambra, a land of so many literate people and eminent personalities, cannot be about throwing money around, like a clown that I know, who has been throwing money around for the last one year, without uttering a word about what he intends to do for Anambra State. Anambra is not for sale. Politics, I believe, should be about issues and not personalities.
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