By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to develop Anambra State and the entire South-East states by incorporating them into the Federal Government’s economic and development plans, bolstering partnership and growth in the geopolitical region.
He said these would include saving Anambra State from its perennial gully erosion menace, which has defied all past and present efforts by the incumbent state Governor Charles Soludo’s administration.
Others are to ensure Ndigbo and states in the South East benefit from the establishment of a gas pipeline that runs through states in the geopolitical zone to boost the huge gas deposit in the area, completion of the ongoing dual carriage road that runs between Anambra and Kogi, and inclusion of the South East zone in the already designed railway plan being executed by the federal government.
Tinubu stated this in his speech during a grand reception to end his one-day working visit to Anambra state at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital.
He applauded Nigerians for their unity and shared commitment to the nation’s diversity, which he said would lead to the prosperity of all segments of the country.
He also promised to battle to a standstill the threats of insurgency across the nation to ensure the safety and protection of the citizenry, guarantee peace, and encourage investment opportunities and the development of the country.
The President harped on the imperatives of collective efforts to ensure economic prosperity that would boost small businesses and activate massive agricultural production to increase food security.
He said, “Today, I have seen the solid foundation being laid by the government of Anambra state, and I have just commissioned several landmark projects, particularly the Solution Fun City, New Government House, Anambra Towers, the eight-lane Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard, and the Dubai Taiwan Silicon Valley. These are master plans for infrastructural transformation and Human Capital Development.
“With Soludo, we can all work together to transform the vision of our country, and we have a solution because we have Soludo.
“Let me commend Soludo and the government of Anambra for their proactive efforts in improving security in the state. I wish to assure the South East of the Federal government’s assistance by partnering with the area.
“We know that Anambra is the gully erosion capital of Nigeria, so we promise to make ecological investments in Anambra state.
“The South East also has a huge gas deposit, but it was bypassed by the National Rail Master Plan, and I stand here to promise you that it will be reversed. The Ministry of Transport will make the inclusion.
“Also, the Anambra-Kogi road would be made possible and completed, and I agree that this would make the trip to Abuja easier and faster.”
He says, “I can see a deliberate plan by your governor (Soludo) to honour heroes past and his predecessor. “The federal government will continue to partner with Anambra State and the south-east zone.
“On the Anambra gully erosion capital, we will do it to remediate the challenge; rectify the gas pipeline and the abandoned railway between Anambra and Kogi states to fast-track movement and development. This already designed railway will include Anambra with the ideological partnership,” he said.
We’ll conquer insurgency, we will defeat them,” he added.
While commending Soludo and other South-East governors for honouring him as Progressives, he especially lauded the traditional rulers in the state and entire geopolitical zone for the title, which he noted has distinguished him as a son of Anambra and Ndigbo.
He called for togetherness amongst the various federating units in line with the spirit and letter of a stanza of the National anthem that “though tribes and tongues may differ, but in brotherhood we stand as the same family.
The President arrived in Anambra State amid tight security and fanfare, as well as admiration from political leaders, stakeholders, traditional rulers, captains of industries, civil society groups, various unions, market women, traders, student unions, and other support groups, who trooped out to welcome him on his one-day visit to the state.
On arrival at the Chinua Achebe International Airport aboard the Nigerian Air Force 1 Presidential Plane, his host, Governor Soludo, received him.
The President was bestowed with the traditional title of ‘Dikesimba Anambra’ (Great Son of Anambra State) by the Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the monarch of Obosi Community, alongside other traditional rulers in the state.
He was treated to a brief airport ceremony, including the inspection of guards of honour and introduction to some of the significant personalities (VIPs) by Governor Soludo before he departed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, where he commissioned the
Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Students and Diplomacy.
He also commissioned the multi-billion Naira Solution Fun City, Awka, and Anambra Country Club near the Fun City, the Family Fun House, the Water Park, and the Amusement Park, respectively.
The President further took a tour of the newly built Government House, known as the Mini City complex in Awka, which houses over 38 buildings and sits on over 25 acres of land. He also commissioned the Anambra Tower of Light and unveiled the monument of Statues of five Anambra heroes past and Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard.
Earlier, Governor Soludo announced that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has a tradition of supporting the government at the centre as well as the political party.
He also announced the endorsement of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, noting that APGA, being the first progressive political party in Nigeria, shares the same progressive ideology as another progressive party, the All Progressives Congress APC.
“Our support for President Tinubu is rooted in the history of the principles of progressivism and progressive ideology, and in 2011, the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA supported the party that owns the government at the centre, and this has continued to date, and I wish to announce that it has not changed.
“And in the spirit of Awoism and Michael Okpara we share the same vision of true federalism which you Mr President fought at a very high cost from AD to AC to ACN and now APC and we as a party announce that we shall continue in that state to support the party at the centre,” he promised.
Also, Chief Emeka Anyaoku noted that governing Nigeria’s pluralist complex is a very difficult task, adding, “We in Nigeria will continue to pray that you address the pluralistic status of our country.
“I have confidence that your administration would address our country’s insecurity and economic challenges.”
Anyaoku further expressed his endorsement of Soludo for a second term, insisting that Gov Charles Soludo should come back to complete the good works he is doing in Anambra state.
For his part, the CEO of Chrome Oil and Gas, Emeka Offor, said, “Since Tinubu came into office, the businessmen are happier because we are doing better. You went to Enugu state and commissioned projects even though the governor doesn’t belong to your party.
“Your Excellency, the way you have shown your acceptance of Gov Charles Soludo’s projects shows that you have already endorsed him for a second term. I, Sir Emeka Offor, will make sure that our governor returns come November 8, 2025.
“By the time our governor returns for his second term in office, he will lead the pilot for your second term as President of Nigeria.”
Some eminent personalities include Minister of Works David Umahi, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Dr Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Governor Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, former Senate Minority Whip Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Senators Ben Obi and Stella Oduah, among others.
