An Overview of Soludo's January: A Glimpse into Agu-Awka"

 "An Overview of Soludo's January: A Glimpse into Agu-Awka"

By Izuchukwu Adichie

Throughout January, Soludo was involved in a range of activities, including the appointment of Prof. Charles Ononuju as MD/CEO of Anambra Solid Minerals Development Company Ltd and Chairman, Petroleum and Energy Resources Ltd, meetings with government officials, business leaders, church leaders, community members, stakeholders, traditional rulers council, and business leaders.

Following his New Year message to Ndi Anambra on the 1st of January, in which he described the year as "a year of changing gear with full execution", Soludo was involved in a series of events, including a 2-day "Mid-term performance review retreat" at the ICC from the 12th to the 13th of January. The retreat was designed to enable executive members to reflect on set goals, the journey so far, the challenges faced, and the success achieved. Soludo also held four consecutive Executive Council Members meetings and was present across the state to continue commissioning projects done by the successful and wealthy ndi Anambra, under a new mantra: the public - private - community - partnership (PPCP).

On the 2nd of January, Soludo commissioned a 500-meter road in Umueri built by Chief Josephat Onwualor, and on the same day, he commissioned 2.27 km of road and an ultra-modern marker at Ozubulu built by Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze). On the 3rd of January, he was at his Isuofia Community to supervise the election of the new executive members of the Isuofia People's Assembly(IPA) which was done under option A4 and saw the emergence of Mr. Fidelis Okafor as the new president. As communities and ndi Anambra continue to respond to Soludo's call for a "Think Home" philosophy, he commissioned a world-class civic center built in memory of the former Nigeria Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme by the Ide Memorial Group in Oko community on the 5th day of January.

Soludo received Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Christopher Gwarbin Musa, and his delegation at the Amawbia Governor's Lodge on the 6th of January, where he commended the partnership and support of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against insecurity in Anambra. On the same day, he also commissioned the Apple Valley Hotel built by Chief Joseph Anene in response to the leapfrogging of the tourism economy of the state. 

On the 7th day of January, Soludo was at the Awgbu community to commission a 1 km road built by Chief Aloysius Okoye (Ikukuoma) for seamless transportation of people in the community. Furthermore, he received separately Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, and Chief Ndubuisi Christopher (Ikenga Omuawulu) in a private visit, after which they commended the 2023 Anambra's mass return, improved security, and the Governor's call for partnership.

Between the 9th and 11th days of January, Soludo attended the burial mass of the late Sir, Micheal Ukeji at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Oraukwu, late Mrs. Grace Obimma at the St. William's Catholic Church, Nkwelle Ezunaka, and late Very Rev Fr. Prof. Stephen Chukwujekwu at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Awka. On the 7th day of January, he paid a condolence visit to HRH Igwe Engr. Muodum Obi, Ochendo Nobi over the demise of his wife, and to the family of Admike of Ejighinandu Village, Awka Etiti over the demise of their father. Soludo used the opportunity to promote the Anambra State Burial Law, 2021, and urged ndi Anambra to keep adhering to it.

On the 11th day of January, Soludo received Chief Osita Chidoka, the Vice Chairman of Anambra State Advisory Education Council, and his team at the Governor's Lodge Amawbia for the presentation of the 2022/2023 Academic Sessions report titled “Solution Agenda: Shaping the Future of Anambra State through Innovative Educational Strategies”.

Soludo led a mass of thanksgiving at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Awka, on the 14th day of January, to honor members of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their crucial role in maintaining peace and security and to express gratitude for their sacrifices in the service of the nation. On the 15th day of January, he saluted the Nigerian Armed Forces for rescuing Anambra state from the hands of criminals at the Alex Ekwueme Square, where he laid a wreath to mark the 2024 Armed Forces DAY. 

On the 18th day of January, Soludo commissioned the Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Center, Obosi, to mark the 91st birthday of Chief Emeka Anyaoku. The center houses a museum that exhibits cultural artifacts from Anambra, Nigeria, and the multi-racial Commonwealth countries. On the same day, he arrived in Lagos State on a 2-day working visit. On the 19th day of January, Soludo and his industrial-tech hub team held a meeting with the US Consul-General, William Stevens, and the 26 leaders of the US high-tech companies in Lagos, at the US Consulate General in Lagos State, to explore areas of possible strategic partnerships and corporate alliances. On January 20th, Soludo addressed Ndi Anambra in Lagos, building on his steadfast commitment to collaborative development. He expressed his appreciation for their initial response to his call for a unified partnership between the public, private, and community sectors. However, with genuine conviction, he urged them to expand their influence.

During the consultative meeting with stakeholders to assess the progress made thus far, an executive meeting was held with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council on January 23rd to discuss government-community partnerships. Matters relating to the suspension of some Traditional Rulers and the controversies that have arisen as a result were also deliberated upon. Additionally, on the 25th day of January, Soludo paid a private visit to his immediate predecessor, Chief Obiano, in Abuja. He was accompanied by the APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa.

Governor Soludo has continued to engage with local and foreign investors, business leaders, and government officials on a private visit with discussions primarily centered around the development of infrastructure, promotion of economic growth in the state, and strategies for increasing investment and job creation. Furthermore, there has been an update on the proposed construction of a "10-storey international hotel" by Soludo's administration as part of the plan to build a new Awka city - Awka 2.0.