Soludo: Tackling challenges of governance
That is not to suggest that the Novermber governorship poll would be a walk over for the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),which is fielding him for a second term.
Soludo returned home with a wealth of experience as former presidential economic adviser and Central Bank Governor, with the goal of improving governance and delivering the dividends of democracy.
Opinion is divided on his achievements. While Soludo showered praises on himself, saying that he has lived to expectation, the opposition and other critics are of the opinion that he has only indulged in showmanship.
At the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka, the state capital, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Mathew Kukah praised Soludo’s leadership and the progress recorded by his government, urging him to avoid comparisons or competition with others. He also enjoined the people to support Soludo in his aspirations for a prosperous and livable state.
Rev. Kukah said “governance is not about competition, but about consolidation,” noting Soludo’s predecessors had made significant contributions to the growth of the state in their unique way.”
Kukah said serving as a governor, senator, or bishop is a sacred contract with both God and the electorate, adding that it is a form of stewardship, where one is entrusted with duties that demand accountability to the people and adherence to personal principles.
He praised Soludo for his accomplishments over the past three years and for his expression of gratitude to God.
The priest said: “I’m from Kaduna State, but I must admit I’m jealous of the progress in Anambra. You have consistently had governors who leave their unique mark in terms of good governance.
“Anambra is a state with great men and women like Cardinal Francis Arinze, the late Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, the late Dr Alex Ekwueme and many others. And I’m happy that Governor Soludo is consolidating on the gains.
“I have seen some of the projects by Governor Soludo and I commend him. These are projects that will improve the quality of life of the people. I pray that your agenda for securing the people, for education, health, women and youth empowerment will be achieved by God’s Grace for the betterment of the people.”
Soludo is conscious of the contributions of his predecessors. He reaffirmed his commitment to building upon their achievements instead of competing with them.
He said: “My Lord Bishop, we are not in competition with anyone. What we are doing is to improve on what the past governors have done, not to compete with them.”
The governor paid tribute to all of them – Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Chris Ngige, Peter Obi and Willy Obiano.
He noted that despite the crisis that rocked the tenure of Mbadinuju, his government laid the foundation of Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University. The former governor also started the Ekwueme Square in Akwa.
Soludo praised Ngige for fighting the ibfrastructure battle. He said successive administrations had struggled to meet the standard of roads constructed by Ngige, adding that his legacies in that area have remained a reference point.
Soludo highlighted his efforts to improve infrastructure, education, and other sectors that contribute to development and progress. He said his government was working to create a competitive environment with global standards such as the Dubai-Taiwan revolution. Soludo said his initiatives, including the employment of over 8,000 teachers, were meant to align with the global educational advancement.
He added: “We are contesting against the revolution going around the world. When we employed over 3,000 teachers, it was not to compete against our past, but to compete with the revolution going on globally. Anambra has all it takes to achieve the Taiwan-Dubai dream.”
The governor alluded to his achievements in infrastructure, including improved road networks, which now make previously inaccessible areas. He made references to Amansea and Ufuma, which are now accessible within 30 minutes.
He also drew attention to his efforts at reducing government expenditure, saying that Anambra has only spent 65 percent of what previous administrations spent during their first three years in office.
Soludo said: “We are leading in the area of education, health, and other critical sectorr.”
Tendering vital statistics, he highlighted other achievements, including the provision of free ante-natal and delivery services to over 102,000 women, with a significant number coming from neighboring states, the battle against insecurity, focusing on addressing its root causes, and ridding the state of criminals and fraudulent individuals. On his health programme, he said the state now boasts of good hospitals, adding that people get pregnant in other states only to relocate to Anambra for safe delivery.
Soludo said the state has the vision to become a prosperous, crime-free state where decent people thrive.
He added: “We are taking the latest fight against insecurity by tackling it from the root. Anambra is known for its enterprise spirit, and that is where we are headed. If you know any criminal anywhere, just whisper to us, and we will come and wipe them out.”
Soludo said that his administration achieved significant progress in infrastructure and human capital development in three years without borrowing. He said: “I express my gratitude to the Almighty God because it is a journey ordained by God. Three years ago, we applied for this job and you employed us based on trust. Looking back on the promises we made, it is fair to say so far, so good. “We have commissioned over 750 kilometers of roads, with more than 400km already completed. Additionally, we have recruited over 8,000 teachers and rehabilitated public schools to enhance the education sector. “We achieved remarkable progress in youth empowerment, agriculture, security, and the health sector. Today, Anambra is leading in health in Nigeria. We have done all these without borrowing one kobo in three years.”
The governor maintained that his goal is to transform the state into the Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley of Africa, leveraging its abundant resources and exceptional human capital.
He said: “We still have one more year left in this tenure, and I want to assure you that we will continue working diligently every single day to fulfill the promises we made to you. So far, we are on track to laying the foundations for realising the Anambra of our dreams.”
Traditional rulers, politicians amd other stakeholders, whoo applauded the governor, urged him to sustain the tempo of achievement. The traditional ruler of Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area, Igwe Dr Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle, said Soludo has not let the state down.
He said his achievements have touched critical sectors of the state economy within three years.
Igwe Obelle maintained that various approaches to governance deployed by the governor showed that he is well-prepared to actualize his vision of making Anambra State a livable and prosperous homeland.
The monarch said Soludo has, through his numerous developmental strides, restored people’s confidence and hope in governance, urging the residents to support and pray for the administration. He lauded the reforms in education, youth empowerment programs (“one youth, two skills initiative”), and health sectors, including employment of five thousand teachers and the ongoing move to employ another three thousand for public schools, distribution of 20,000 computer laptops to headteachers/principals of public/mission schools, employment of over four hundred medical personnel for the hospitals, and upgrade of Primary Health Care Centres in the three hundred and twenty-six electoral wards.
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