Soludo: The Man And His Influences

In some of my close moments with my Boss — Gov. Soludo — you know that point where a mentor tries to pour himself into a Protege by citing life examples that will help them realize that he, I mean the mentor, did not fall from the skies nor did he meet life in Eldorado. At these moments I hold everything he says to me solemn. One day, of course this is now public knowledge, Gov. Soludo recounted to me how, as a child, he thought his Father was an Engineer because he saw him always adorned in professional safety overalls and driving earth moving equipments.

As Soludo grew older, he realized Papa was a truck driver at the then NIGERCEM company in Nkalagu. In spite of Papa’s socioeconomic disadvantages he committed so much in raising his “all boys” children in line with his strict principles founded on honesty, hardwork and dignity.

Papa was a life member of the Boys Scout, so you can imagine the high level of military discipline he enforced in the home front that shaped the lives of his Sons, that today he will now be remembered as that Man who gave the world a Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

Gov. Soludo revered his father until death and never failed to celebrate and honour him until his passing. When I found this picture this evening, I began to imagine how God raises giants from lowly places. Indeed, “o bu utu Dike muru Odogwu”. Papa’s title, “Akukananwa” is philosophical, stemming from the rich understanding of ndi Igbo that children are priceless blessings from God. Papa Simeon Soludo lived his name.

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara, KSM.