Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has restated his administration’s determination to make Anambra a “smart, secure, livable, and prosperous homeland.”
This is even as he outlined an ambitious development roadmap for the state.
Excerpts:
The Journey so far
Speaking in an interview on a national television, Soludo highlighted key achievements recorded under his watch and assured that what has been achieved so far is “only a tip of the iceberg.”
“We came in with a clear vision to transform Anambra into a smart, livable, and prosperous homeland for our people,” the governor said.
He further said “Two years down the line, the foundation has been laid solidly, and Ndi Anambra can already feel the change in the air.”
On education
According to the former Central Bank Governor, his government has revived and repositioned public schools across the state, describing Anambra as “now leading in Nigeria’s public education performance index.” He said “we recruited thousands of qualified teachers, retooled the curriculum, and restored discipline and quality to our classrooms. The result is there for everyone to see—our students are excelling nationally and internationally.”
On Security
Governor Soludo also noted that peace and security have returned to the state after a period of tension and unrest. “Anambra now breathes fresh air in safety,” he declared.
“Our security framework, which is community-based and intelligence-driven, has made it difficult for criminals to operate. People now go about their daily lives freely, and the sense of normalcy has returned.”
Health and Youth Empowerment
In the health sector, Soludo said Anambra has been ranked the best in healthcare delivery across Nigeria, crediting the success to ongoing investments in primary health care centres, hospitals, and maternal health. He added that the administration’s youth empowerment programmes have also begun yielding results.
“Our youth development model is unique. We are training, equipping, and mentoring young people to become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.
On infrastructure
Governor Soludo listed several communities—Okpoko, Nzam, Awba Ofemmili, Awa, Umuomaku, and Ikenga—that are experiencing tarred roads for the first time in their history, adding that “we are deliberately opening up rural communities and connecting them to urban centres. No community will be left behind,” he assured
He emphasised that the projects cut across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Looking ahead, the governor unveiled an ambitious slate of upcoming projects. He announced that implementation of the completed Anambra Rail Network master plan would begin after November 8.
“The rail system will change the way people and goods move within Anambra,” Soludo said. He also disclosed plans for The Great Niger City to rise from the Onitsha–Obosi–Ogbaru axis, Awka 2.0 to develop around Awa, Ndiukwuenu, and Ezinator, and an airport-centric industrial city to spring up in Ogboji.
The governor further revealed plans for a Walt Disney–style amusement park at Agulu Lake, envisioned to become “a major tourism and leisure destination east of the Niger.” He added that more dualisation of trunk A and federal roads would be carried out to ease movement and drive commerce. “Our dream is clear—to make Anambra the shining light of Nigeria,” Soludo said. “We are building a homeland that our children will be proud to inherit.”
Credit: The Sun