Soludo Revolutionizes Anambra: President Tinubu Commissions State-of-the-Art Govt House and Lodge After 34-Year Wait
By Uche Kalu
May 8, 2025, marked a historic milestone in Anambra State's annals. Created from the old Anambra State (now Enugu) on August 27, 1991, the state is known for its rich human and natural resources, encapsulated in its slogan 'Light of the Nation' - a shift from the original 'Home for All'. Since its inception, Anambra State has been led by several notable governors and administrators, including: Joseph Abulu, Mike Attah, Rufai Garba, Emmanuel Ukaegbu; Chukwuemeka Ezeife(late), Chinwoke Mbadinuju( late), Dr. Chris Ngige, Mr. Peter Obi, Dame Virginia Etiaba, Dr. Willie Obiano and Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
For over three decades, Anambra State operated without a befitting Government House and Governor's Lodge, a longstanding infrastructure gap. However, this jinx was finally broken when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, visited the state to commission the newly completed Government House and Lodge, alongside other landmark projects initiated by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The commissioning ceremony marked a significant milestone for Anambra State, underscoring Soludo's commitment to transforming the state into a modern hub, with ambitions to replicate the grandeur of Dubai and Taiwan. The development signals a new era of progress and development for the state.
The new Government House and Lodge in Anambra State is a monumental achievement, cementing Governor Soludo's legacy as a trailblazer. Spanning several hectares, the complex boasts about 35 buildings, including offices, residential quarters, a clinic, sports center, and a 1,225-seat banquet hall. Under Soludo's leadership, Anambra is poised for progress, driven by his vision to transform the state into an "African Dubai-Taiwan". Moreso, this ambitious project showcases Soludo's commitment to modernizing Anambra's infrastructure and setting a new standard for governance.
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Anambra State on a one-day working visit, where he was warmly received by throngs of enthusiastic residents at the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport in Umueri. The President's agenda included commissioning several landmark projects, notably the new Government House and Lodge, Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, and the Solution Funcity. This high-profile visit highlights the significance of these projects in advancing Anambra's development trajectory.
During the commissioning of the projects, President Tinubu praised Governor Soludo as a visionary leader dedicated to driving infrastructural development in the state. The President noted that Governor Soludo embodies the spirit of service enshrined in the national anthem.
"I am delighted to visit and commission some legacy projects by your state government. I come as a friend to the great people of Anambra State and the Southeast. I commend the Anambra State Government for its proactive efforts to improve security.
"I assure you that the federal government will continue to partner with the state and the Southeast to ensure the safety and security of our people and their future,” the president emphasised.
President Tinubu reassured Governor Soludo that Anambra State will not be left behind in terms of development, pledging to address the ecological challenges plaguing the state. This gesture emphasised the President's dedication to supporting Anambra's growth and mitigating the environmental issues affecting its residents.
The president pledged to support Anambra State's development through several key initiatives. These include activating the Onitsha River Port, incorporating the state into the railway line master plan, and exploring its vast gas reserves. Additionally, the president vowed to enhance security in the state and address critical infrastructure needs, such as rehabilitating the Anambra-Kogi State Road to facilitate easier access to Abuja and completing the Onitsha-Enugu expressway, among other priority projects
He lauded Governor Soludo's remarkable achievements within his three-year tenure, emphasizing the need to sustain these gains to align with his national progressive agenda and promote national unity. The president reaffirmed his commitment to tackling insurgency and fostering collaboration among Nigerians to drive the country's progress and development [2].
In his address of welcome, Governor Soludo said, “President Tinubu’s visit in Anambra is historic and consequential, not just to commission projects, we have over 500 km roads, flyovers, bridges, completed and awaiting commissioning among others.
“We are very strategic in our choice of projects deserving presidents attention, what you commission today are mere symbolism of the audacity of our dreams for a new Anambra State. Like the Americans would say and I have repeatedly affirmed with Ndi Anambra, you’ve not seen nothing yet.
“It is an agenda with a vision of Anambra as an African Dubai -Taiwan Silicon Valley as the best axis of sustainable prosperity with a 50 years master plan which we are in a haste to lay foundation. In simple terms, we are determined to change the trajectory of Anambra from a departure lounge to a destination of choice.
“We know the state of Nigeria economy with all its unsustainable dysfunctionalities. When you assumed office, you had the courage to tame the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos and now, you are systematically getting the economy to work again.
“In less than two years, the important building blocks are already falling into place, we thank you for the Southeast Development Commission, for also appointing many Ndi Anambra into your administration. Of course your Pan-Nigerian disposition was evident, when as Governor of Lagos, you appointed an Anambra son, Ben Nwabueze as your Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.
“Here in Anambra, one of my Permanent Secretaries is from Osun State, another one from Abia. During the recruitment of 8,115 teachers, we did not care which state you came from because the interest of an Anambra child is to be taught by the best teacher in the world not from the incompetent teacher from the village.
“We are deeply grateful for several road projects being currently executed by your administration that benefit Anambra State running into hundreds of billions of naira especially the Enugu-Onitsha Road.
“We appreciate your Minister of Works who came recently to flag off and being working tirelessly to get this project on track, rehabilitation of Onitsha-Owerri Road, phase 2 access roads to 2nd Niger bridge, rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi Road, section 2 in Anambra State. When completed there would be important game changes for our people.
“Part of our transport master plan for Ndi Anambra is to dualize all the trunk A roads in Anambra both state and federal and so far we are spending over N170 billion on sundry federal roads including ambitious dualization projects.
“No doubt the partnership between Anambra State and federal government is working well, we benefit fully from all federal programmes including Education, ICT, Agriculture, Health, Infrastructure, Flooding/ecological response, Social interventions among others.
“The federal government rewarded Anambra 500,000 dollars as Southeast regional champion and 700,000 dollars as national champion in Primary Healthcare for 2024, we are benefitting in area of transformation.
“There is an abandoned strategic federal road project that links Anambra between Kogi State, upon completion, the journey between Anambra and Abuja might be shortened to 3 hours from the 9 hours. We believed that these things would systematically get your attention and be addressed.
“We are prepared to support him in every way possible to succeed and to excel. Our support for Tinubu is rooted in history, principle and ideology. Both of us served in government between 2003-2007 and as President’s Economic Adviser and later Governor of Central Bank/ member of National Economic Council.
“I greatly admired principled stance of the then Governor of Lagos and now President Tinubu. On federalism, he was our professor on federalism on every NEC meeting.
“As the foremost progressive party in Nigeria, APGA is ideologically and strategically aligned with the Centre. So far, the progressives are working well, together! It is indeed time for all progressives, federalists and all parties with social-democratic, centrist, and left-of centre credentials to unite—to advance the purpose of a united and progressive Nigeria. Mr. President should lead us in this new movement,” Governor Soludo noted.
Governor Soludo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for commissioning several landmark projects undertaken by his administration and extended a gesture of fellowship, seeking the President's support for his development agenda. He requested the President's intervention in addressing the state's ecological challenges, harnessing the potential of the Onitsha River Port, integrating Anambra into the national rail network, and exploring the state's gas reserves, among other key initiatives.
Highlighting his administration's significant achievements in empowering youths through the One Youth 2 Skills initiative, alongside efforts to boost other sectors of the state's economy, he emphasized that his government is on track to fulfill its campaign promises, underscoring the administration's commitment to delivering tangible results.
During the visit, traditional rulers from the state's 179 communities conferred the esteemed chieftaincy title of "Dike Si Mba Anambra" on President Tinubu. The ceremony was performed by Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Obosi, alongside other prominent traditional leaders.
The event drew notable attendees, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who praised President Tinubu for commissioning landmark projects undertaken by Governor Soludo's administration. Other prominent guests included Sir Emeka Offor, government officials, members of the media, and other dignitaries
* Kalu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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