As the leader of a state, a governor has the enormous responsibility to ensure that his or her constituents are taken care of. This includes not just those who are well-off and financially secure, but also those who are struggling to make ends meet and may be living in poverty.
Thus, empathy is a crucial leadership characteristic a governor must possess. Empathy as a virtue is, particularly, important for the governor as he is solely responsible for making critical decisions that can impact the lives of so many people immediately or in the future. Empathy, according to a simplified definition by Cambridge Dictionary is “the ability to share someone else’ feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation”. When a governor has empathy for those who are struggling financially or living in poverty, they are more likely to make decisions that will help alleviate their sufferings and improve their quality of life.
One example of a governor who has demonstrated a strong empathy for the poor is Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State. Ever since he took over as governor, he has consistently prioritized policies and programmes that aim to benefit those who are most in need -the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten.
One of the key ways that Governor Soludo has shown empathy for the poor is through his education policies. Affordable education is a critical issue for many low-income families, and Governor Soludo has made it a priority to increase access to affordable education throughout Anambra State’s public schools. Education is often seen as a key pathway out of poverty, and Governor Soludo has made significant investments in public education since he came into office. The recent free education policy of his government is a key example.
He has made it a point of duty visiting places, shelters and other residents occupied by the poor throughout the state, and has spoken at length about the importance of understanding and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to poverty.
Governor Soludo is the first Governor of the state to go for a working visit to Okpoko – one of Nigeria’s largest slums which today is witnessing his transformational zest in the area of infrastructure. He is also the first Governor of the state to visit Olumbanassa, Anambra’s “forgotten” island and settlements in Anambra west local government area of the state thereby giving them a sense of belonging that they are also important members of the Anambra commonwealth.
Governor Soludo, in his unique sense of duty to cater for low and medium income earners provided civil servants in the state non-taxable cash award of twelve thousand naira each between September and December, 2023. This award given to the fifty-nine thousand person capacity workforce in the state totaled a sum of two-point-nine-nine billion naira in the state’s wage bill in the four months. This award is outside the ten percent salary increase given to the workers which took effect from January 2023.
In addition to granting tax exemption to vulnerable groups and petty traders with less than one hundred thousand naira capital, Governor Soludo also approved a twenty percent IGR reduction for public transporters.
One cannot also easily forget that women in the state receive free antenatal and delivery services in all primary and secondary public healthcare centers in the state. Notably, the Anambra State Ministry of Health has identified a drastic reduction in child and child-birth mortalities in the state since the programme was kicked off in September, 2023.
Governor Soludo’s empathy for the poor has not only helped to improve the lives of those who are struggling financially, but it has also had a positive impact on the state as a whole. By investing in policies and programmes that benefit low-income households, he has helped to reduce poverty levels and increase economic opportunity for ndị Anambra. This has resulted in a stronger and more vibrant state, with a brighter future for all of its residents. His commitment to addressing the underlying factors that contribute to poverty and providing the resources and support needed to lift people out of poverty is an inspiring example for leaders everywhere.
Written by EJIKE ABANA
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