The Abia State governorship aspirant, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has outlined his vision for the state, promising sweeping reforms in agriculture, civil service welfare, youth empowerment, industrialisation and education, if elected governor.
Dr. Anosike, a lawyer and international commercial solicitor, said his aspiration is driven by his belief that Abia State has not achieved its full potential despite claims of progress by the current administration.
The governorship hopeful disagreed with claims that the current administration has performed exceptionally well.
According to him, available performance indices do not reflect the level of development expected in the state.
“If the government was doing well, I wouldn’t be in the race. What we are seeing is more media hype than concrete development on the ground,” he said.
Anosike argued that while some road projects had been executed, several other critical sectors remained underdeveloped, including healthcare, security, education and industrialisation.
Outlining his agenda, he unveiled a programme tagged “Operation Feed Abia (OFA)” aimed at boosting agriculture and ensuring food security across the state.
“No Abia indigene will go to bed hungry under our administration. We will implement a back-to-farm policy and encourage citizens to embrace agriculture,” he said.
Anosike also promised comprehensive civil service reforms, including salaries above the national minimum wage, health insurance schemes for workers and improved pension packages for retirees.
According to him, “his administration would introduce “Civil Service Care” and “Pension Plus” initiatives to improve the welfare of workers and senior citizens.”
On youth development, the aspirant said his administration would establish programmes targeted at reducing unemployment and discouraging migration of young people from the state.
“We want to create opportunities for Abia youths so they can thrive within the state instead of relocating to Abuja or Lagos in search of jobs,” he stated.
Anosike further pledged to industrialise the state by exploring untapped natural and mineral resources, supporting small and medium-scale enterprises with interest-free loans, and creating cottage industries.
He cited gypsum deposits and other raw materials in the state as resources that could drive local manufacturing and job creation.
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In the area of technology and education, he promised to deploy ICT in improving security, healthcare, agriculture and governance.
Anosike proposed compulsory skill acquisition programmes in tertiary institutions and secondary schools across the state to equip students with practical skills alongside academic qualifications.
The governorship aspirant said that his administration would establish ICT hubs to train youths for remote and digital jobs capable of earning foreign exchange.
According to him, “Online opportunities today are enormous. We want our youths to compete globally and earn a living through technology-driven skills.” he said.
Biography
The Abia-born politician studied Law at Abia State University before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School where he was called to the Nigerian Bar.
He later obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) in Petroleum Law and Policy from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee, and subsequently earned a PhD in Property Law and Mortgages from University of Abuja.
While in the United Kingdom, he served as President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers between 2013 and 2014.
Speaking on his professional background, Anosike said he specialises in international commercial law with emphasis on energy, electricity, oil and gas transactions.
Beyond law practice, he is also an author and entrepreneur. He authored a biography of former President Olusegun Obasanjo titled The Human Obasanjo: The Man, the Message, the Movement, alongside biographies of retiring Supreme Court justices.
Anosike is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Homes, a real estate development company.
