By Karen James
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday pledged that his administration will support Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in realizing his vision of making Anambra a peaceful, secure, livable, and prosperous homeland for all Nigerians, regardless of tribal, ethnic, or religious affiliations.
President Tinubu made the statement during a stakeholders’ meeting organized in his honor as part of his official visit to the state, which included the commissioning of various projects executed by Governor Soludo.
Speaking on Governor Soludo’s achievements, President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the developmental strides made so far. He particularly praised the One Youth, Two Skills empowerment program, which has empowered over 10,000 youths across Anambra.
“With what I have seen today in Anambra, the Federal Government will partner with the state to support Governor Soludo in actualizing his vision for the people of Anambra, the South East, and the country at large,” Tinubu stated.
He described Soludo as a patriotic Nigerian with strong developmental ideologies and commended him for his inclusive governance, including the appointment of Mr. Bayo from Osun State as a Permanent Secretary.
“My government will support him to realize his vision for the people of Anambra State,” the President reiterated. “We will also urgently intervene in the growing erosion challenges in the state and approve the construction of the Anambra–Kogi–Abuja link road to ease vehicular movement between the two states.”
He emphasized national unity, stating, “Our diversity will lead to prosperity.”
President Tinubu also thanked Governor Soludo, South East governors, traditional rulers, and the people of Anambra for honoring him with the chieftaincy title of Dikesimba of Anambra.
In his remarks, Governor Soludo thanked the President for the visit and appealed for the inclusion of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in national governance, describing it as a progressive party rooted in ideology and good governance.
“APGA supports your administration in truth and shared ideologies. We will continue to support you to succeed. APC and APGA are brothers and sisters working under the same progressive ideals,” Soludo said.
He further assured the President of his administration’s commitment to supporting national development and praised Tinubu for appointing two APGA members to his cabinet—Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Mark Okoye as Managing Director of the South East Development Commission.
The President was accompanied by several dignitaries, including Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Alex Otti (Abia), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Senator Uche Ekwunife (Delta). Other notable attendees included Mrs. Nonye Soludo, Chief Osita Chidoka, APGA senatorial aspirant Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, state appointees, and APGA supporters.
The visit also featured the commissioning of the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
