For some weeks running, it has become traditional that the Anambra State Government, on weekly basis, dishes out savoury ingredients for internalising civilisation in the state. The unfolding state policies aimed at enthroning sustainable viability in the lives of the state and its people throw up relevant features in the mission of Governor Peter Obi in governance: establishing the template for a comprehensive regeneration of the people and progressive transformation of the society. Regardless of the shrouds of mischief, the government, working in accordance with the dictates of Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), has continued to work its resolve to put the state on the mark for an upbeat future. It is worthy of note that the institution of ANIDS by Obi at the early stage of his government marked him out as a visionary leader. ANIDS appraises the entire demands of the people, institutions and the environment on the government. It does hard appraisals of the resources available to government, factoring in projected values of the enormous goodwill which the governor's exemplary governance has continued to attract to the state. This goodwill is not what/howsoever, as the effective worth, blending with good governance, has continued to guarantee expanded projects to Anambrarians. Through the instrumentality of ANIDS, the government rationalises the demands on it vis--vis its capacity to meet such demands. This exercise produces the roadmap for the acts of government. Indeed, ANIDS gives Obi's government its dexterous, responsible and responsive character.Apart from the numerous physical marks of development to the credit of the state government (the impressive road network linking all the extremities of the state especially areas that hitherto knew no roads and so remained primitive before this government opened them up to the civilising influences from outside; the many bridges with Odor, Otuku, Ezu Amansea/Ebenebe, Obibia and Okpu as examples; the monumental Chief Jerome Udoji State Secretariat, the Judges' quarters at Onitsha, the stadia at Onitsha North and South Local Governments, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, the magnificent Business Parks at Onitsha, the rebuilding and expansion of many General Hospitals as exemplified in Ekwulobia and Umueri, among many other 'eye-markable' projects; the securing of the master plan for the state's three most prominent cities of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi from the UN-Habitat, and other value-adding schemes) the unassailable ingenuity in Anambra model of governance has become more manifest in the recent policies of the government. These policies are made to ensure the transformation of the state into a virile and stable polity. Indeed, whoever weighs the enormity of decay in both character and learning among students in our government schools today against what obtained before government fractured the mission of the Christian and other voluntary proprietors of schools, hails Obi for his forthright courage in seeking restoration of the same standard which produced virtually all the personalities that typify the Igbo dexterous and ingenious character. The governor's rethink and frank self-immolation fell short of invoking reparation for the school owners when he declared the forceful takeover of schools 'as one of the biggest and costliest mistakes ever made by government.' The absoluteness of his resolve to make amends which every part of his speech captured was thus summarised: 'Today, we shall make a new beginning by returning to the point from where we turned into the wrong road.' The joy of this recourse to history was heightened by government's undertaking to fund the schools and pay salaries duly. And to facilitate smooth take-off of the schedule, the government appropriated N6 billion to enable the school owners effect initial repairs of the dilapidated structures in the schools. While the euphoria over school handover lingered, Obi introduced yet another heart-lifting reform; this time, it was the health sector that was the focus. At the flag-off of what the governor termed a turnaround scheme in the health sector held on 28th of November, 2011, he announced the distribution of MDG's medical equipment to both Government and Mission Hospitals in the state. Again, taking recourse to the dynamics of hindsight, the governor appreciated the contribution of mission hospitals; he contended that they have 'remained active collaborators in healthcare delivery in the state.' He went further to state that 'driven by the philosophy that these hospitals owed by the missionaries share the same goals with those owned by government: to deliver healthcare to our people at reasonable consideration,' the government chose five of such hospitals to be 'turned into Centres of Excellence on healthcare delivery.' He gave a grant of N400 million to be shared among the five hospitals. This would surely ensure improved health service to the people.Again on 5th of December, 2011, in the spirit of Christmas, the governor gave out the sum of N2 million to each of the 177 communities in Anambra State. He charged the leadership of the communities to deploy the fund towards enhanced security and rural road rehabilitation during the Christmas season. The immediate effects of the gesture are felt in the obvious reduction of criminal activities as well as the rural road works in the state. These acts of Obi have continued to attract commendations across the globe. While they portray as a pragmatic leader of his people who would stop at nothing to improve their lot, they challenge those in leadership positions to thrive to effect positive and enduring changes that would entrench civilisation among the people.'Anarado wrote in from Adazi-Nnukwu, Anambra State.
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