In the annals of human history, the birth of great societies often springs up from the fervent visions of imaginative leaders, thinkers and pathfinders. These human agents of change possess the remarkable ability to see beyond the limitations of their environment and envision a better world, inspiring them to embark on transformative journeys that ultimately lay the foundation for significant progress.
Thus, great societies often emerge from the flames of passion and unwavering commitment to turn dreams into reality. But it is not everyone that sees what a visionary sees or shares his passion to attain the vision. It may also happen that some would be impatient, expecting an instant miraculous realization of an expressed vision. Yet, the fact remains that Rome was never built in one day.
Asia’s pride, Singapore, was not transformed in a year by its iconic leader, Lee Kuan Yew. It took him well over 30 years. In the cases of Dubai and Taiwan, neither of them became a thriving global destination for investors and tourists today in the twinkling of an eye. In fact, history affirms that the founding fathers of modern Dubai in the United Arab Emirates led by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, initiated the city’s transformation in the mid-20th century. The significant stages of development, including the construction of iconic landmarks, took place over several decades, with continuous efforts to shape the city’s future.
Taiwan’s own development can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it implemented various infrastructure and economic reforms that laid the foundation for its contemporary modernization. Long and painstaking planning was common to all these nations.
The foregoing are few of several advanced societies that inspired Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, to begin to envision that a similar replication of transformation is possible in Africa, starting from Anambra State. Specifically, he first publicly mentioned the vision in a keynote address he delivered at the second Anambra State Development Summit hosted by the League of Anambra Professionals in May 2006. The title of the keynote then was ‘Anambra 2030: Envisioning the African Dubai, Taiwan and Silicon Valley’. The vision, codified as ADT, began to possess the visionary.
In 2009, while campaigning to be the governor of Anambra State for the first time, Prof. Soludo again expressed the same passion about making Anambra, the African Dubai-Taiwan (ADT). Again, he repeated the idea during his campaign for governorship of Anambra State in 2021.
Obviously, Soludo’s recurring vision involves transforming Anambra State into a socio-economic and technological hub that could emulate the successes of Dubai and Taiwan in an African context, and he believes so much in its possibility.
However, since Prof. Soludo became Governor last year, cynics have wondered if the vision is no longer there. Of course, the vision is fully on course. Most times, rain doesn’t suddenly start falling without first gathering clouds. It is necessary to note that the implementation and realization of such a vision as ADT would involve various challenges, including infrastructure development, investment attraction, policy dynamics, resource allocation planning, and more.
As naysayers ponder the feasibility of Governor Soludo’s ambitious quest, they must be reminded that the path to greatness is never linear. The governor’s far-reaching vision is not just an arbitrary dream, but a calculated and informed aspiration that holds within it the seeds of a prosperous Anambra. History is replete with instances of visionaries who faced initial skepticism, only to prove their critics wrong with resounding success. Anambra’s journey won’t be different.
Now, what is really happening? How is the vision shaping up? Well, the right foundation is being laid, block by block. The enabling environment for African-Dubai Taiwan to emerge a reality is being quietly and steadfastly created. Governor Soludo’s multi-faceted approach, characterized by ongoing infrastructural investments and projects across various sectors, is a clear testament to the meticulous groundwork required for transformation on such a grand scale.
Diverse sectors such as security, road infrastructure, energy, ICT, education, healthcare, transportation, housing, urban renewal, ecology, agriculture and so on are all integral components of this visionary project.
The strength of a great vision lies in its planning and resilience. As the foundations are being laid, let us stand in support believing that the journey to greatness has already begun and is fully on course.
Written by CHRISTIAN ABURIME
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