Though her assumption of office as Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area did not evoke any excitement or fanfare as it was a time replete with a dire cry for good governance and demonstrable leadership, one that has bearing on the people in the areas of security, infrastructure, ease of doing business and socio-economic empowerment, Anengi Wilcox ascended the saddle with the guts, presence of mind and passion to entrench change.

Upon the unfortunate and untimely demise of her erstwhile boss, Anengi Wilcox was sworn in as substantive Chairman of Bonny LGA by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Thursday, October 14, 2021, to lead a cosmopolitan society populated by a largely informed and exposed elites and people, a place where one cannot pretend to be in service without being called out immediately if such is observed to be the case. It was against this background that the ensuing LGA Chairman set out for work.

The period coincided with the mini convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which afforded her time to brood over the expectations of her people. Her antecedent as Vice Chairman of the LGA for three years, enamoured her with a needs assessment understanding encompassing sea piracy, drug peddling and abuse, and infrastructural deficit, which were at the core of the problems the LGA was facing.

To achieve success and steer the LGA back to the path of good governance and surmounting of these social ills, Wilcox defined her policy thrust on the pillars of security revamp, social impact and stakeholder engagement. First stop was touching base with village heads, community, women and youth leaders across Bonny. These meetings availed her the opportunity to sample the opinion of the people, appreciate their specific expectations and chart a governance template that was people-oriented.

Second stop was security where she held several definitive meetings with heads of various security agencies in Bonny LGA. The security community were forthright in frontloading the issues they were grapple with which defined the path to toe in reining in the multifaceted challenges impinging on the security of the LGA. The outcome, summarised, implied a willingness of the various stakeholders to work with her.

This evidenced in the frontal fight against elements of the underworld with visible results powered by citizen led enhanced intelligence gathering which helped the security agencies to work better. These resulted in the waterways being rid of the menace of sea piracy and reduced travel time laced with renewed traveller confidence, which spilled into the 2021 Christmas season. Against the backdrop of what used to be, people were willing to come home during the Yuletide period. Additionally, the excitement extended in the rural areas as they realised that free petroleum products were being distributed to the various communities that did not have electricity.  

Meanwhile, a fire-for-fire war against drug peddling had already started. Speedily, prosecution followed closely on the heels of arrests. Many of the suspects arrested are still bearing the brunt of their shady dealings till date. For the drug abuse victims, a rehabilitation mechanism was instituted through partnership with a not-for-profit organisation and the story of their lives have been rewritten for good.

Given that Bonny is a tourism destination, festive seasons are usually of importance to the people. For December 2021, it was a jolly good ride, businesses flourished, fun seekers revelled and everyone had a nice time. At the centre of all these was the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, which was celebrated seamlessly without any negative news. This has been the story in Bonny under her watch.

Dame Anengi Wilcox believes excellence and service should be the hallmark of leadership. To her, it is not leadership if the majority of constituents are not happy. And one may ask, what guarantees the happiness of a people other than social welfare and development?

In March 2022, a little above four months in office, there was already a line-up of capital projects for commissioning. The Bonny Ultra-Modern Market Complex and the Civil Servants Quarters were commissioned. Both projects had been under construction for nearly 15 years under successive administrations. Regardless of whatever reason that impeded the completion of these projects, she came with a strong political will that saw to the completion of the projects irrespective of the stumbling blocks on the way.

She always held that empathy is the strongest virtue required by a leader to make progress. When you feel the impulse of a people, you will go the extra mile to represent their interests. Many a Bonny indigene or resident alike see her on daily basis in practice of this ideology. Sometimes, she would get to the office by 9am and receive visitors till 6pm, and carry over the rest to the Government Lodge. And you ask, what manner of a leader is that?

One day, on her way back from an official outing, her convoy suddenly stopped along the King Asimini Bypass, popularly known as Berger Road, and before her aides would alight and move towards the staff car to know what was the issue, she was already out of the car. She carried a little boy of less than five years and stepped back into her car and drove off. They got to the residence of the little child and she went straight to the mother and gave her the warning of her life, demanding to know why such a little child should be allowed to roam the streets of Bonny and crossing roads indiscriminately. The mother apologized, and thanked her for her motherly concern.

There is a potpourri of other examples that portray her as a leader with the milk of human kindness. Currently, there are over 20 capital projects going on in Bonny, most of which would be commissioned during the event that is being organised to mark her 365 days in office. From the Amariari Bridge construction in Finima Community, to the Abalamabie-Hart Motorable Bridge construction. The Customary Court of Appeal renovation and furnishing, the lightning of dark alleys around town, refurbishment of the Coal Beach and Bonny Modern Motor Park, the operation zero-potholes in Bonny to mention a few.

Added to this robust list is the Breastfeeding Week Programme that had her reach out to over 100 indigent women with welfare packs and support funds. The empowerment of widows and the elderly in December wherein business starter packs, food items and monetary grants was distributed amongst other people driven programmes.

Did you know that the Bonny LGA Chairman, Dame Anengi Wilcox is the Rootswatch Magazine Local Government Chairman of the Year? She bagged the award in a keenly contested process comprising the 774 LGAs in Nigeria after being assessed as high-flying in area of Youth Empowerment. Her insistence on transparency in the employment of youths in the ongoing NLNG Train 7 Project through the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre (BIRC) has led to the meaningful engagement of over 1,000 young people from Bonny.

In February 2022, she was nominated as the Personality of the Month at the Garden City Advancement Award. It has been all shades of bliss, splendour and conviviality. As at today, Bonny is bubbling. It has been from glory to glory. All of these have within 12 months, not three years, not a decade.

The secret of these milestones has, mainly, been her dependence on God. Yes, she believes in God a great deal. Fight her at your own peril. Her team has a routine time for prayers when they cry to God for daily guidance. She also believes in collective opinion. She believes in Town Hall Meetings and hearing directly from the people. She believes in hardwork. You can’t be lazy around her. Do such and be kicked afar off. This is her style, format and a little of her pattern.

As the days turn to weeks, weeks to months, and months to another year to make her two years in office, the optimism is on the rise that Bonny has the potential and can be transformed into a place of gold. As the congratulations pour in, Honourable Chairman, may I add my voice and say unequivocally that you have done well in one year. Today there is evidence of good governance in Bonny. We have good leadership. We are in strong hands. To God be all the glory.

Boma Waribor, a Media Practitioner, Communications Expert and Development Enthusiast, wrote in this article from Bonny Island, Rivers State.