The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) on Thursday unveiled a book, The Challenge of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: Eight Years of Peter Obi in Anambra State.
Speaking at the unveiling, the leader of the group, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, said the book was written to highlight the purposeful leadership of Mr Obi.
The 152-page book has seven contributors under Nwala’s editorship.
Nwala said the book was not essentially about Obi as a person, but about the exemplary and purposeful leadership he provided that had remained a beacon of good governance.
He further said 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 Mbazulike Amechi, he was full of kind, reassuring and encouraging words about Obi.
Further, he disclosed how the CEO 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 were eye-opening. “We learnt the place was resuscitated by Peter Obi. The network of roads he built in the area were 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
Chairman of the board of ADF 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 cabinet members, Prof. Stella 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,” she said.
