Better Governance Beckons For ‘Ndi Anambra’ As Evidences Show Soludo Will Think Home -By Sandra Ijeoma Okoye

In 2017 when the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo, who is now the governor of Anambra State tasked his people to always remember to invest in their home state, even as he observed that it was not possible for all of them to return to their state and reside permanently, not few people were of the view that he was a leader that put his people’s interests into consideration, and always think home.

It would be recalled that while delivering a lecture as part of activities to mark the 3rd anniversary of Governor Willie Obiano’s administration at the time, that was in 2017, in Awka, that Soludo, who is an indigene of the state, said the state had a strong economic base and the human and natural resources and assets to accelerate the momentum of transformation.

According to him, Anambra had the potentials to become an industrial/commercial hub and a true 21st century economic miracle, adding that as an emerging global tribe, Ndigbo and Anambra must think global, but also act local.

He said: “A noteworthy feature of Anambra State at the moment is that it is a net exporter of capital. A large proportion of its most talented/skilled indigenes live outside of the state, while a larger proportion of investible capital is deployed outside of the state.

“Poverty incidence in Anambra used to be the lowest mainly because of remittances by its Diaspora. The skyline of Anambra is adorned with thousands of four-story buildings whose collateral value is insignificant (largely dead or dormant assets).

“Access to bank credit is relatively low. For example, Anambra has the fourth largest bank deposit (after Lagos, Abuja, and Rivers) but the size of bank loans granted to businesses in Anambra is a very small proportion of the deposits. This trend needs to change.

“As a global tribe, we cannot be insular in orientation nor withdraw from the world. Igbo cannot all come home; it is neither wise nor feasible. Like the Jews, Anambra will probably continue to have more than 50 per cent of its indigenes outside of the homeland.”

“Given our entrepreneurial drive and high population density, our people will continue to need Nigeria, ECOWAS, Africa and the rest of the world to maximize our prosperity.

“But while we must feel at home everywhere, there is only one home that will never change, the homeland! Having an identity is not inconsistent with a global or national outlook.”

Citing an example with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Soludo said there were probably few who would question Obasanjo’s patriotism as a Nigerian, “but that has not made him to wear Igbo dress or our red cap to prove that he is detribalized.”

He said further: “Both Ota Farm and the Presidential Library and Home are all in his home state—Ogun. He did not settle in Lagos or Abuja to prove that he loves Nigeria. Of course, by our Constitution, you are first identified by your ‘state of origin’ before anything else. We must not feel shy to campaign for and mobilize a new consciousness towards an “Anambra My Only Permanent Home” philosophy. God did not make a mistake to make us “Ndi Anambra!”

He also recalled that while apologizing for the deportation of some Anambra indigenes from Lagos, former Governor Fashola challenged Igbo by asking why they were running away from their own state, arguing that Igbo should turn such provocation into a positive anger and a challenge to build a prosperous homeland.

Speaking further, Soludo asked Anambra indigenes living outside of the state: how much tax or financial contributions do you make to your state in a year, the state/government that preserves and improves your permanent home address?”

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that he is a man that thinks about home and his people.

In fact, the brotherly love and disposition he has for “Ndi Anambra” was further demonstrated when his people from his ancestral home ahead and during his inauguration as the new governor of Anambra State rallied round him to ensure that he was not left alone.

Ostensibly for the love he has for his people, Isuofia community in Aguata Local Government Area Commended the outgoing Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the confidence reposed in their son. Speaking to the ABS in Awka on the successful eight-year tenure of the Obiano administration which ended today, the President-General of Isuofia People’s Assembly Chief Jude Chikadibia-Okeke, described the outgoing Governor Willie Obiano as a leader who wants the best for Ndi Anambra by choosing a one-time Governor of the Central Bank Professor Chukwuma Soludo as his successor, and added that that with Professor Soludo as the Governor of Anambra State that the people of the state will witness more turn around in all sectors of the economy.

Chikadibia-Okeke who spoke on the legacies Obiano administration left behind, including the Anambra International cargo and passenger Airport at Umueri and International convention center in Awka maintained that Anambra State is always blessed with committed and God-fearing Leaders.

The President-General of Isuofia People’s Assembly, Commended the eighty-man transition committee led by a onetime Minister of Education Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili for their recommendations which he noted will go a long way in repositioning the state.

Chief Chikadibia-Okeke, while wishing the outgoing Governor Willie Obiano God’s guidance in all his future endeavors, called on Ndi Anambra to rally round Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration for enhanced development of Anambra State.

The President-General of Isuofia People’s Assembly maintained that the administration of Professor Chukwuma Soludo will promote an all-inclusive government, restored people’s confidence in Governance in addition to giving Ndi Anambra value for their money.