Three years after, Charles Chukwuma Soludo has proved that the people of Anambra State who elected him as governor have made a wise choice.

That is not to suggest that the Novermber governorship poll would be a walk over for the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),which is fielding him for a second term.

Soludo returned home with a wealth of experience as former presidential economic adviser and Central Bank Governor, with the goal of improving governance and delivering the dividends of democracy.

Opinion is divided on his achievements. While Soludo showered praises on himself, saying that he has lived to expectation, the opposition and other critics are of the opinion that he has only indulged in showmanship.

To objective analysts, the governor has tried. But, much needs to be accomplished by his administration.

At the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka, the state capital, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Mathew Kukah praised Soludo’s leadership and the progress recorded by his government, urging him to avoid comparisons or competition with others. He also enjoined the people to support Soludo in his aspirations for a prosperous and livable state.

Rev. Kukah said “governance is not about competition, but about consolidation,” noting Soludo’s predecessors had made significant contributions to the growth of the state in their unique way.”

Kukah said serving as a governor, senator, or bishop is a sacred contract with both God and the electorate, adding that it is a form of stewardship, where one is entrusted with duties that demand accountability to the people and adherence to personal principles.

He praised Soludo for his accomplishments over the past three years and for his expression of gratitude to God.

The priest said: “I’m from Kaduna State, but I must admit I’m jealous of the progress in Anambra. You have consistently had governors who leave their unique mark in terms of good governance.

“Anambra is a state with great men and women like Cardinal Francis Arinze, the late Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, the late Dr Alex Ekwueme and many others. And I’m happy that Governor Soludo is consolidating on the gains.

“I have seen some of the projects by Governor Soludo and I commend him. These are projects that will improve the quality of life of the people. I pray that your agenda for securing the people, for education, health, women and youth empowerment will be achieved by God’s Grace for the betterment of the people.”

Soludo is conscious of the contributions of his predecessors. He reaffirmed his commitment to building upon their achievements instead of competing with them.

He said: “My Lord Bishop, we are not in competition with anyone. What we are doing is to improve on what the past governors have done, not to compete with them.”

He noted that despite the crisis that rocked the tenure of Mbadinuju, his government laid the foundation of Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University. The former governor also started the Ekwueme Square in Akwa.

Soludo praised Ngige for fighting the ibfrastructure battle. He said successive administrations had struggled to meet the standard of roads constructed by Ngige, adding that his legacies in that area have remained a reference point.

Soludo highlighted his efforts to improve infrastructure, education, and other sectors that contribute to development and progress. He said  his government was working to create a competitive environment with global standards such as the Dubai-Taiwan revolution. Soludo said his initiatives, including the employment of over 8,000 teachers, were meant to align with the global educational advancement.

He added: “We are contesting against the revolution going around the world. When we employed over 3,000 teachers, it was not to compete against our past, but to compete with the revolution going on globally. Anambra has all it takes to achieve the Taiwan-Dubai dream.”

The governor alluded to his achievements in infrastructure, including improved road networks, which now make previously inaccessible areas. He made references to Amansea and Ufuma, which are now accessible within 30 minutes.

He also drew attention to his efforts at reducing government expenditure, saying that Anambra has only spent 65 percent of what previous administrations spent during their first three years in office.

Soludo said: “We are leading in the area of education, health, and other critical sectorr.”

 Tendering vital statistics, he highlighted other achievements,  including the provision of free ante-natal and delivery services to over 102,000 women, with a significant number coming from neighboring states, the battle against insecurity, focusing on addressing its root causes, and ridding  the state of criminals and fraudulent individuals. On his health programme, he said the state now boasts of good hospitals, adding that people get pregnant in other states only to relocate to Anambra for safe delivery.

Soludo said the state has the vision to become a prosperous, crime-free state where decent people thrive.

He added: “We are taking the latest fight against insecurity by tackling it from the root. Anambra is known for its enterprise spirit, and that is where we are headed. If you know any criminal anywhere, just whisper to us, and we will come and wipe them out.”

Soludo said that his administration achieved significant progress in infrastructure and human capital development in three years without borrowing. He said: “I express my gratitude to the Almighty God because it is a journey ordained by God. Three years ago, we applied for this job and you employed us based on trust. Looking back on the promises we made, it is fair to say so far, so good. “We have commissioned over 750 kilometers of roads, with more than 400km already completed. Additionally, we have recruited over 8,000 teachers and rehabilitated public schools to enhance the education sector. “We achieved remarkable progress in youth empowerment, agriculture, security, and the health sector. Today, Anambra is leading in health in Nigeria. We have done all these without borrowing one kobo in three years.”

The governor maintained that his goal is to transform the state into the Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley of Africa, leveraging its abundant resources and exceptional human capital.

He said: “We still have one more year left in this tenure, and I want to assure you that we will continue working diligently every single day to fulfill the promises we made to you. So far, we are on track to laying the foundations for realising the Anambra of our dreams.”

Traditional rulers, politicians amd other stakeholders, whoo applauded the governor, urged him to sustain the tempo of achievement.  The traditional ruler of Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area, Igwe Dr Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle, said Soludo has not let the state down. 

He said his achievements have touched critical sectors of the state economy within three years.

 Igwe Obelle maintained that various approaches to governance deployed by the governor showed that he is well-prepared to actualize his vision of making Anambra State a livable and prosperous homeland.

The monarch said Soludo has, through his numerous developmental strides, restored people’s confidence and hope in governance, urging the residents to support and pray for the administration. He lauded the reforms in education, youth empowerment programs (“one youth, two skills initiative”), and health sectors, including employment of five thousand teachers and the ongoing move to employ another three thousand for public schools, distribution of 20,000 computer laptops to headteachers/principals of public/mission schools, employment of over four hundred medical personnel for the hospitals, and upgrade of Primary Health Care Centres in the three hundred and twenty-six electoral wards.

Igwe Obelle said these are clear indications that Soludo is committed to giving the people of of the state quality governance.

The traditional ruler noted that the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of various roads in  by the government would enhance human and vehicular movements.

He also said it would boost businesses.

Igwe Obelle added: “To be honest with you, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has done beyond expectations. The ‘one youth, two skills initiative’ has really curtailed criminal activities in the State under his watch. I want Ndi-Anambra irrespective of political affiliation to give him full support to deliver his campaign promises.

“I urge the governor to remain focused and not to be distracted by his political opponents. He should employ more youths into the State security outfit (Anambra Vigilante Group) to help curb the growing number of idle youths who are falling for hard drugs and other abusive substances.”

Igwe Obelle also commended the governor for prudent management of state resources.

He urged affluent individuals and well meaning groups to key into the private-public community partnership initiative of the government to increase the tempo of development across the 179 communities in the state. A commentator, Ebuka Nwankwo,  said Soludo has converted the state into a construction site. He praised him for the ongoing road revolution.

He said: “The administration has awarded contracts for the construction of over 400km of new roads and has steadily maintained a pace of fully completing an average of 28km of these awarded roads every month within the dry season period.

“The 400km of high-quality roads being constructed with stone base and cement stabilization – a technology that is rare in the history of road construction in Anambra because of its cost implication – is exclusive of the 392km of roadways that have been made motorable as a result of the governor’s routine road maintenance works, erosion control works and the flyover project in one of the state’s major cities – Ekwulobia. Interestingly, many more road projects will also be awarded in the coming months.

“With the rate Governor Soludo is building new roads and maintaining existing ones, he will be setting an unprecedented record in the Southeast in the coming years.”

On security, Soludo has also made a mark. Before his inauguration,  unknown gunmen were on the prowl and eight local governments were under siege.

The state government has liberated these local governments and has made Anambra a relatively safer state.

Nwankwo said: “As a result of the robust security architecture in the state, perpetrators of any crime are apprehended within days unlike before where criminals, in some cases, were never caught.”

The urban regeneration and renewal have also been applauded. Anambra lacks a masterplan. Sokudo embarked on the designs for masterplan for Anambra Intercity Railway Network and three  brand new cities – Awka 2.0, Onitsha 2.0 and Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City. The goal is to create one expanded city state.

 The governor’s social and human capital development programmes are also expected to yield more fruits. No fewer than 1,068 women enjoy the  free delivery programme on a monthly basis. Also, over 5,000 pregnant women benefit from the free antenatal services and free medications monthly. on a monthly basis.

Soludo is building general hospitals, primary healthcare centers and recruiting healthcare personnel in the state. Due to his education programmes, the number of student enrolment has inceased.  The empowerment programmes, including skill acquisition training, that target tbe youths have enhanced inclusion. Last year, no fewer than 5,000 youths were empowered with seed capitals, or grants, totally N2 billion after they were trained in the state’s One-Youth-Two-Skills Programme.  Also, 10,000 youths are being empowered with grants to start their own businesses.

Nwankwo said: “There is also the ongoing agricultural revolution which aims at taking millions of people out of poverty through the state’s palm kernel and coconut revolution.

To observers, Soludo has maintained fiscal prudence. Payment of pensions, salaries, and inherited debts have been achieved without borrowing a penny from any bank.

[TheNation]