ADF says the book is in acknowledgement of the leadership qualities of Obi
By Emma Ogbuehi
Members of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) have explained their reasons for writing a book on the 2019 Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, saying it is in recognition of his integrity and leadership profile.
ADF described the eight years of Obi’s administration as the Governor of Anambra State as “eight years of clear and pragmatic demonstration of leadership.”
Speaking on Thursday during the unveiling of the book entitled The Challenge of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: “Eight Years of Peter Obi in Anambra State, the leader of the group, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, said the book was written to highlight the purposeful leadership of the former governor.
Prof. Nwala said the book was not essentially about Peter Obi as a person, but about the exemplary and purposeful leadership he provided that had remained a beacon of good governance.
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He disclosed that the need to use Obi as a model was borne out of the testimony they garnered when the group undertook industrial tour of Alaigbo, starting with Anambra State.
Nwala said that in Anambra, when they met with Chief Mbazulike Amechi, he was full of kind, reassuring and encouraging words about Obi.
Further, he disclosed how the Chief Executive Officer of INNOSON Vehicle Manufacturing, Innocent Chukwuma, requested them to thank Obi for the unprecedented support he offered him, including making it possible for him to stand on sound financial footing by paying him upfront for vehicles supplied to him, as well as the part he played when his consignment was seized by customs.
The ADF leader said that the trip to Onitsha Habour Industrial areas was eye-opening. “We learnt the place was resuscitated by Peter Obi. The network of roads he built in the area was exceptional,” Nwala said.
He also said that all the industries they visited spoke highly of Obi in terms of support and deep understanding of the requirements of the time. “This visits convinced us to research into Obi’s era as a model for leadership,” Nwala said
The Chairman of the Board of ADF, His Lordship, Bishop Obi Onubogu, described the choice of Obi as a model of true leadership, presented for emulation, as a very objective one, because his leadership style has continued to reverberate among the people.
Speaking on behalf of Obi’s Former EXCO members, Prof. Stella Chinyere Okunna, who led the team, said that in spite all odds, they always felt proud by the quality of services they helped Obi to deliver to the people. “We may not be rich, but we have remained proud to be associated with Mr. Peter Obi whose passion for growth and development is unrivaled in this clime,” the Mass Communication expert said.
With Okunna for the event were: Dr. Patrick Obi, Dr. Chike Ohamobi, Dr. Mike Egbebike and Val. Obienyem.
Quite unusually, the unveiling was not preceded by donations, as the organizers said it was just to formally let the world, Nigerians and Igbo people know that a book on practical leadership capable of re-orienting serious leaders were out to be bought and read for edification.
The 152-page book has seven contributors under the editorship of Prof. Uzodinma Nwala.