The first victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, towards its rematch quest to the Government House, Awka came to fruition on Wednesday last week when the majority of the delegates during the party’s primary, overwhelmingly pitched tent with Professor Chukwuma Soludo. There is no doubt that Professor Soludo is a political Iroko, and when he sneezes, other green horns catch cold.
Therefore, APGA leadership and delegates must be commended for choosing this lion, the king of the forest, who is naturally ahead of others, to fly their flag in the November governorship poll in Anambra state. They should, however, note that the game has just started. According to Winston Churchill, Success is not final; it is the courage to continue that counts.
There is no doubt that with his intimidating credentials, Prof. Soludo is the most needed in the state vis-à-vis these challenging times in Nigeria. We know that successful people do what unsuccessful people are not able to do. Already, he has pledged to devote every minute of his life on earth to serve God by working to leave here better than he met it.
Ndi Anambra, this is your moment, seize it! The November election is a very consequential election for the state. It will determine in which direction and speed of our march towards progress or retrogression. Anambra is a unique state, richly blessed with exceptionally productive human capital scattered all over the world but struggling to build a livable and prosperous homeland.
Past governors tried their best. Dr. Mbadinuju established the Anambra State University; Senator Ngige built some strategic roads; while Mr. Peter Obi, as an APGA governor, built more roads and, in compliance to APGA manifesto, touched other sectors. Our current governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has taken it to the next level by combining both the micro and macro dimensions of governance: unprecedented security, Light up Anambra, 17 bridges and roads, community choose your projects; institutionalization of governance; and now the Anambra International Cargo/Passenger Airport, the International Conference Centre, the Awka Township Stadium, etcetera.
A fundamental summary measure of APGA government’s impact on the welfare of the people is the poverty incidence. According to the NBS, poverty index in Anambra declined from 53% in 2010 to 14.78% in 2020. There is no state government with comparable revenue that is doing better. So, partisan politics aside, APGA is serving the people better, and Ndi Anambra do not want to go back to Egypt!
Of course, the government over the next four years will lay the foundation for the Anambra Vision 2070. Ours is a land of infinite possibilities and opportunities. We need continuity, consolidation, and transformation to build on the existing foundation and maximize our potentials. We need to mobilize the creative energies and capital of our people all over the world as well as other investors to live out the essence of our motto, the light of the nation.
Soludo was a poor boy whom God has lifted and gifted to serve. He reached the peak of his professional career in his 30’s; had the privilege of living in Ethiopia, U.K, USA, and travelled to 45 other countries as itinerant scholar and consultant to 20 international development and financial institutions before he was called to serve the Federal Government in 2003.
Until 2009, Soludo served as Chief Economic Adviser to President Obasanjo; CEO of National Planning Commission; Governor of Central Bank; Chairman of Nigerian Mint; founding Chairman of AFC; and chair or member of over 25 committees. He has also been decorated with over 200 national/international awards, including variously Nigeria’s Man of the Year, Nigeria’s third highest national honour (CFR), global and African best governor of central bank, one of most influential Africans; etc. Currently, he serves as a member of Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
Ndi Anambra, this is the time for him to serve his people. Prof. Soludo desires to give back to society through selfless public service. If employed as our Chief Servant, he will deploy all the global and national experiences and networks as well as local knowledge/experience to make us proud. As a Pan-Africanist, Soludo will work with leaders in the South East and Nigeria to create that next Nigeria that will be the pride of the black race.
WRITTEN BY COMR. OBI OCHIJE
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