Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, has sworn in to office, the Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu.
Mr. Evaristus Ubah was also sworn-in as Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets at the Anambra State Executive Council Chambers, Awka, the State capital.
By the ceremony, the duo were officially inducted as members of the Council.
Reeling out his charge to the new inductees, Governor Soludo revealed that their appointment is a call to duty and service to the people.
The Governor reminded them that his administration is focused on disruptive, transformational change at all levels, stressing that his administration is passionate about it’s goal and asked them to strive to pay the sacrifice which will eventually translate to public good and impact they will leave behind.
Recall that on April, 21, 2023, Governor Soludo announced the appointment of Mr. Christian Udechukwu as the new Commissioner for Industry in Mr. Obinna Ngonadi’s stead, after which he was duly confirmed by the state House of Assembly.
Last week, a letter from the governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to the Assembly nominating Mr Udechukwu for the position was read by the speaker, Uche Okafor.
Earlier, Christian Udechukwu, an investment and business consultant of international repute, was screened by the House Committee on Election Matters and Screening, headed by the deputy speaker, Pascal Agbodike.
According to the report of the committee read by Mr Agbodike, the nominee, Mr Udechukwu, provided satisfactory answers to questions he was asked during the screening. Based on his impressive curriculum vitae and detailed grasp of his job description, the report said, the committee therefore recommended that “the nominee is qualified to serve as Commissioner for Industry and that he be confirmed having been found worthy”.
A house member, Pete Ibida during the confirmation exercise asked the commissioner to X-ray how he intends to attract industries and control youth unemployment in the state.
In his comprehensive response that earned him the admiration of House members and visitors at the gallery, Mr Udechukwu said he would first, in keeping with the vision of the Soludo’s administration on industrialisation, strengthen existing industries through careful and deliberate effort towards energising said industries.
For industries outside Anambra State, he said they would have to give the state reasons to do business with them. Mr Udechukwu also said that more efforts would be geared towards getting Anambra people to invest at home.
“We will encourage our people to diversify and bring a part of their business to Anambra State,” he said.
According to the new commissioner, there are about 161 industries in Anambra State now. Out of that number, about 31 are not in good shape.
“We will see how to revive them. But what I am assuring this House is that there will be more industries in Anambra and those that are in existence already will do well,” he said.
Mr Udechukwu’s response showed his readiness for the task ahead as Anambra’s commissioner for industry, even as he touched on the idea of a regional stock exchange among other practical and innovative thoughts on Anambra’s pathway to industrialisation.
Meanwhile, members of the House commended Mr Udechukwu for his drive to chart a better cause in the state.
In his comments, Nonso Okafor, the member representing Nnewi North constituency, implored the government to synergise the industry component and the commerce and trade components of the ministry, previously unbundled by the governor, so that there will be organised and synchronised progress, given that trade, commerce and industry are all interwoven.
