Anambra Changing Gears!

There is an exciting level of enthusiasm that Gov. Soludo’s new year message has evoked amongst Ndi Anambra, arising from the fact that as a people, Ndi Anambra are daring and high achieving. With this new declaration that the State would be “Changing Gears” in the year 2024, one is only auspicious that most key drivers across different sectors of the economy and society may hit the speed gears before the end of the next 12 months.

The Governor’s message is a call to mobilization for increased homeland consciousness. It is a fresh awakening to Ndi Anambra all over the world that “we can, if we would”. On the part of Government, one can only imagine what the next steps are if in just 21 months (less than 2years);

— The State has turned to a huge construction site with over 400km of economically viable roads at various levels of completion.

— The unprecedented recruitment of 5000 qualified Teachers to improve the quality of teaching and advance the State’s human capital. And 3000 teachers more ready to be employed before the end of January, 2024 across public schools in the state.

— Drastic reduction in maternal mortality with the introduction of free antenatal and delivery for pregnant women in the state. The current statistics shows that the number of hospital births went up from 245 in July, 2023 when the Policy was introduced, to 1,456 by December of same year.

— The basic education school enrollment is rising astronomically following the declaration and clinical implementation of the totally free Nursery and basic education (Primary 1 – JSS 3) for public school students in Anambra State.

— Renovation and equipping of 326 Primary Health Centers across all the wards in the State.

— Distribution of 1million palm and coconut seedlings to over 100,000 households in Anambra state — a strategic project aimed at ending extreme poverty in the State and raising a new generation of Agro-millionaires.

— Training and empowerment of 5000 youths across various skill sets, with one youth mandatorily required to have at least two skills. With the provision of 2billion Naira seed capital already distributed to successful beneficiaries.

— Maistreaming of technology through the training of 20,000 youths on various digital skills and the establishment of the Solution Innovation District — a one stop ICT hub for training and incubation of the new Anambra Digital Tribe.

— Massive tax exemptions for the poor, petty traders and artisans to cushion the impact of harsh economic conditions.

— Massive urban regeneration efforts at Okpoko, Onitsha and Awka.

— Fierce resistance against touts rampaging parks and markets across the State. Plus improved security that has made Ndi Anambra return home enmass for the Yuletide.

Just to mention but a few!

I can only wonder what the change of gear would mean in tangible terms for Ndi Anambra in this new year 2024. As usual, the hopes are high, the numbers are on the positive increase and Anambra will surely win!

Happy New Year!

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara.