The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has described former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku as Anambra’s gift to the world.
Obiano stated this in a press release signed by the state commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba to wish him a happy 88th birthday celebration.
Speaking through Adinuba, Obiano said, “Chief Anyaoku, GCVO, CFR, CON, is a very important gift which Anambra State gave to the world. He is arguably the most famous and honoured of all Commonwealth secretary generals ever.
“During his tenure, the Commonwealth became a very important institution for the struggle for democracy, human rights and dignity of the human person. The whole world remembers how the organization fought to save Ken Saro-Wiwa, the Nigerian writer and Ogoni environmental activist from execution during the Sani Abacha dictatorship.
“The whole world appreciates how the Commonwealth fought gallantly to free such eminent Nigerians as Chief Moshood Abiola, who won the June 12, 1993, presidential vote which was inexplicably voided by a previous military regime.”
Obiano praised Anyaoku, saying that even though he is a global citizen, he chose to pay attention to happenings in his country, Nigeria and his state, Anambra.
The governor added that some of these qualities were the reason he chose Anyaoku as the chairman of Anambra elders forum, a position he said has helped him (Obiano) work closely with Anyaoku.
Anyaoku at 88: ‘He is Anambra’s gift to the world’- Gov Obiano