Scorecard: Governor Soludo highlights achievements

By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has presented his second anniversary scorecard as he expressed his commitment to transform Anambra State into a model state in Nigeria and Africa.

Governor Soludo was speaking while outlining the various achievements of his administration in the past two years, during an event to mark the day at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Sunday.

Presenting his administration’s two years’ scorecard, Governor Soludo who was accompanied to the event by his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, stressed that the state of Anambra is strong and that his administration has an agenda with a deadline, of which there are no excuses, pointing out that in the last two years, he has succeeded in laying the foundation for Anambra to become a smart megacity, inspite of the dearth of resources, compared to the availability of resources in years past.

While reiterating that his government is changing gear this year, Governor Soludo noted that his government is deliberately executing the most austere government ever, focusing on what is most important for the people and assured to continue to give priority to those who are neglected.

The Governor outlined the various achievements of his administration in the past two years, including the flag-off of over four hundred kilometres of road, declaration of free education, free antenatal care and delivery services, ongoing Anambra State wide water scheme, among others.

While congratulating the Governor, the former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, noted what he called evidential achievements of his administration since he assumed two years ago.

Chief Anyaoku remarked that he was not surprised at the Governor’s performance, knowing his antecedents, pointing out that he came to office with three attributes, including sound intellectual capacity, “can do” character and his ability to belong to the streets where the people are.

The event earlier commenced with a Pontifical Holy Mass of thanksgiving presided over by His Lordship, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye of Nnewi  Catholic Diocese.

During a sermon, the chief celebrant, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop of Awka Diocese extolled Governor Soludo and his team for the giant stride achievements recorded in his two years in office.

The Bishop described the emergence and leadership of Prof. Soludo as the complete embodiment and the epitome of dividends of democracy being felt in the entire 21 Local Government Areas of the State.

“The book of Proverbs tells us that when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan”. Those watching for a week plus now could see a lot of people and communities rejoicing because of what the governor has done for them, and that’s what we are looking for, and what we want.

“Our hardworking and committed Governor has thought it wise to give thanks to God, and understanding the Gospel of St Luke 10: 17, unless the God builds the city, in vain the work-men work, and unless God watches over the city, in vain the watch men watch”.

Bishop Ezeokafor, therefore, urged the governor not to relent but to intensify efforts in the delivery of the dividends of democracy in the 21 LGA in the sate, while praying for God to keep strengthening him on all fronts.

“We know that our Governor applied for this job as he always says, and we said go on by the election, we have done, and eventually he was sworn in on the 17th of March, 2023. So, you applied for it, you have to do it, you have no option and you must deliver or have yourself to be blamed. Only that we pray that the people cooperate with you.

“We remember that he and his deputy among others have shown enough enthusiasm, love, and commitment to help our people. Any honest observer who wants to tell himself or herself the truth will from all indications say that our Governor and his team have tried for our people and we thank them for it.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, former Governors Chris Ngige, Dame Virgy Etiaba, former Deputy Governor, Emeka Sibudu, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Bishop Moses Ezedebego, among others, attended the event.