UPSURGE OF RADIO STATIONS IN ANAMBRA: A CLEAR EVIDENCE OF CONDUCIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

By: Chinweozo Amuta from onitsha

There are more than twenty electronic media outfits (including radio and television stations), in different parts of Anambra state today. About two third of the stations were established between 2014 and this year. Some of the radio stations are located at Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area, Nnewi in Nnewi North local government area and Umuchu in Aguata local government area, all in Anambra South Senatorial district.

Other radio stations are located at Obosi, Nnobi, Ogidi, Mgbakwu, Umuawulu and Awka in Idemili North and South as well as Awka North and South local government areas of the Anambra Central district while the rest are operational in Anambra North senatorial district, precisely Onitsha North, which is hosting the largest open market in the West African subregion.

Apart from Lagos, Anambra state has the highest number and concentration of electronic media in Nigeria today. Their establishment is largely due to the fact that the state is enjoying unprecedented peace, stability and socioeconomic prosperity which has made it easy for businesses and commercial activities to flourish. The proliferation of radio stations in Anambra state has obviously enhanced employment opportunities for our teeming youths.

In addition to the state owned Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS radios and televisions in Awka and Onitsha as well as the federal government controlled FRCN and NTA, privately owned Frequency Modulated, FM radio stations in Anambra state presently include; Blaze, Omega, Authority, Alpha, Odenigbo and Ebeonadi.

The rest are; Ogene, Alpha, Sapientia, Kpakpando, Brilla, City Radio and Wazobia, among others. More new electronic media outfits are on the verge of springing up in the state because of the lucrative nature of the enterprise made possible by the friendly atmosphere created by the present administration in the state.

This was not the case before 2014, when Anambra experienced so much divestments due to the menace of dare devil armed robbers and kidnappers. Many of the entrepreneurs who divested from Anambra relocated to neighbouring Delta state and other parts of Nigeria. In those better forgotten days indigenes plying their trade outside the state hardly come home for sociocultural activities and businesses for fear of being robbed, kidnapped or murdered in cold blood.

However, it is a pleasant story nowadays in Anambra state. This is because since the advent of the present government in Agu Awka, very high premium has been placed on protection of lives and property, which is the most fundamental duty of government.

Indeed, the administration has deliberately and consciously created a conducive environment for business and commercial activities to thrive in leaps and bounds. Presently, Anambra is undoubtedly the safest state in Nigeria, with digitized security architecture. This happy development was inspired by the fact that the vision and mission statements of the Governor Willie Obiano administration place great emphasis on making the environment clement for foreign and local investments.

Little wonder Anambra has the fastest growing economy in West Africa. The economic prosperity of the state under Governor Willie Obiano's is so attractive to the extent that in spite of the lockdown necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic thousands of non indigenes and nonresidents of the state desperately want to visit the state to do business with her people. Truly, Anambra has been placed on the path of sustainable socioeconomic growth and development in the past six years.