By James Eze ([email protected])

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has applauded the lyrical relevance of the Anambra Anthem and commended its visionary invocation of the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda as captured in the body’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking at the recent Summit of Development Partners in Awka, Mr. Kallon said he felt deeply inspired when he first heard the powerful lyrics of the Anambra Anthem, which is otherwise known as “The Spirit of Anambra.”

Said Mr. Kallon: “I was inspired when I heard the anthem of Anambra State. I was inspired by the well selected words of the lyrics. And we are here today to talk about Sustainable Development Goals partnership. Your Excellency, your state anthem already clearly indicates what we hope to achieve from the Sustainable Development Goals.”

According to Mr. Kallon, the Anambra Anthem clearly communicates “national vision, national leadership and national ownership.’

“When I listen to the Anambra Anthem, I see all those three visions. And that is all that the SDG is about. National vision, national leadership and national ownership to drive the development aspirations of the people of Anambra State.”

Describing Obiano as “visionary,” the UN representative further observed that “it is a testament to the visionary leadership of this administration to drive the development of the state through credible partnership, effective implementation of projects, equitable and inclusive growth and attainment of better life and better quality life for the citizens of Anambra State.”

Mr. Kallon also announced that the UN country team had signed a new United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework for the period 2018 to 2022 for Nigeria; a $4.2 billion document that spans four years.

“And my colleagues and I are here in Awka to brainstorm on the framework and generate ideas and strategies on how best to implement the partnership framework to support the development aspirations of the people and government of Nigeria,” he explained.

He further disclosed that, already, nine UN agencies, namely UNDP, WHO, UNIDO, UNITA, ILO, UNESCO, UNDC, UNODC, UN-Habitat, under the delivery of UNICEF, have implemented some projects and partnerships with Anambra State.

The UN Country Rep further explained that the UN system was prepared to explore veritable entry points to support the implementation of the SDGs at both the federal and state levels.

According to him, “It is our hope that Anambra State, already well poised, will take maximum advantage of the partnership opportunities under the new framework by aligning the UN SDGs strategy with the state development plan, providing leadership and ownership of the implementation process.”

Mr. Kallon stressed that the heads of key UN agencies with extensive programmes and engagements were present in Anambra State, saying, “Let us work together and make the United Nations the development partner of choice in Anambra State and share the governor’s vision for a better quality of life for all its citizens.”

Providing insights into the Anambra Anthem, the composer of the anthem, Mr. Tony Odili Ujubuonu explained that he was inspired to write it by the illustrious history of Anambra State, its legendary citizens and its contributions to Nigerian history.

Mr. Ujubuonu, a prolific novelist and a highly sought after advertising copywriter and marketing communications strategist, said, “In writing that anthem, I was trying to tap whatever inspired Anambra’s legendary men and women in order to inspire the people of tomorrow and the people of today.”