Anambra: Two Years Of Getting Stronger 

Governor Soludo’s unique approach of reporting progress to Ndi Anambra at key moments in a style similar to how Board Chairmen of big corporations present reports to shareholders at AGMs has received a ground swell of positive commendations. The scope of the first and second year anniversaries are only different in content, given that a lot more has been added to the achievement bouquet than in the previous year, else it has remained same effective strategy of presenting detailed account of stewardship to a local and global audience of Ndi Anambra he famously refers to as his “Employers”.

Yesterday, in a much reassuring manner, Gov. Soludo declared, “the state of Anambra is strong”. If this were to be in the business world or if States were quoted in the stock exchange, Anambra’s stocks would be in the upward trend of significant profitability. This is in spite of a tragic depreciation in the value of the Naira and an unrelenting inflationary rate.

As at today, Ndi Anambra as vested shareholders in the Anambra business now have a knowledge that their per capita earning, should the total revenue of the state (FAAC and IGR) be distributed on a per head basis, is 2,800 Naira per person. This account is an open access, bare-bone exposé to the true nature of the State’s current finances. Yet, the Governor has declared that the State is strong and viable providing visible and tangible 100 foundational achievements that has set the State on the path of progress.

Across the Solution 5 Pillars of;

— Security, Law and Order
— Human capital and social agenda
— Environment
— Governance and Value System
— Infrastructure and Economic Transformation

The Government had scores of visible achievements to show. And why this strikes a special cored to social analyst is the fact that there is a huge buy-in from and full grasp of all the Anambra State government is doing. This exemplified by how the Catholic Bishop of Awka who gave the homily at yesterday’s thanksgiving Mass was seamlessly reeling these achievements long before the Governor mounted the Stage to merely re-echoe them in his presentation. According to the Bishop, the 100 foundational achievements of the Soludo led Anambra State government can be “eyemarked” and not just earmarked and he has personally eyemarked a lot of them.

Soludo is still on course with his visionary, time-bound goals of turning Anambra to a smart megacity, in line with the Anambra Vision 2070 — 50 year development plan. And in his final words yesterday he said to Ndi Anambra, “YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET”.

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara