Soludo’s Cabinet And The Task Of A Prosperous New Anambra 

RAYMOND OZOJI

The advent of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as the Executive Governor of Anambra state was seen and adjudged as a welcome development from within the state, the country and indeed the diaspora. His decision to cause what he has mentioned severally at different fora as disruptive change is said to be a policy statement intended to birth a prosperous new Anambra where opportunities abound for economic growth and advancements. 

Though Soludo’s disruptive change may be dire and daring, the realisation of a liveable, lovable and prosperous new Anambra state is of paramount importance especially with the attention currently paid to the environment as evident in the governor’s drastic measures to ameliorate the situation in Okpoko, one of Anambra’s foremost urban slums in Ogbaru local government area near Onitsha. 

Again, Governor Soludo’s peace missions and mediations with a view to finding lasting truce with those taking abode in the forest and causing security breaches in the state, are some giant commendable steps taken by the governor to entrench a new order where people will no longer create an atmosphere of insecurity but an enabling atmosphere where people can attain their full potentials with very decent means of livelihood.

It is therefore the realisation of a new Anambra state, that the state government  constituted her cabinet members with a mandate to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people. Although the cabinet members are home-grown, there are indications that they would assist to actualise the governor’s vision and mission for the state. 

To this end therefore comrade Osita Obi a social crusader and the Convener of Recover Nigeria Project believes that Soludo’s cabinet members are mere auxiliaries; that the bulk of governance still depends on the governor. Although he said it would be too early to judge their performances, the task ahead is enormous. Obi stated that Governor Soludo has been one-time Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo and as such must have found very cogent reasons for his choice of cabinet members. Osita Obi noted that the expectations of Ndi-Anambra were high especially as the governor had started clamping down on revenue touts and ensuring also that all revenues go into government coffers.

The Coordinator of the Recover Nigeria Project said another significant expectation of the people is the provision of road infrastructure as the state is currently bereft of motorable roads. He said another huge task before Governor Soludo and his cabinet is the re-pysching and total reorientation of the people especially as it concerns dumping of refuse into drainage channels as well as erecting structures on waterways. Obi believes that the task ahead is huge but equally found solace in the fact that Anambra state is still a work in progress.

On his part, the newly appointed Special Adviser to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment Programmes Dr. Nelson Omenugha said the governor in his wisdom and in consideration of the need to carry Ndi-Anambra along in his government, has appointed 21 commissioners whom he described as accomplished professionals within and outside Anambra, called to come and serve Ndi-Anambra in their various capacities. Omenugha stated that Governor Soludo has always said that he is armed with three vital tools viz-a-viz the Transition Committee Report, his Manifesto as well as the Vision 2070 Report. 

The Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment Programmes expressed the view  that the cabinet members would meet the expectations of Anambra citizens, noting that the documents aforementioned would serve as veritable platform for them to commence their respective assignments. He said the cabinet members have the confidence of the governor and they also have the confidence of Ndi-Anambra. That with the support of the people, the cabinet members will succeed.

Moreso, Omenugha hinted that Anambra state is still a work in progress which according to him, was the remote reason Ndi-Anambra voted overwhelmingly for Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. He mentioned that past administrations of Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezife,  Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, Peter Obi and Chief Willie Obiano did wonderfully well but Prof. Soludo according to him, will take the trajectory of development to the next level.

 He therefore, recalled that under Mbadinuju Anambra got security, Anambra State University and other modest achievements. Under Chris Ngige Anambra got dramatic improvements on road infrastructures. And under Peter Obi, Anambra witnessed the return of schools to missions and government partnering local communities to provide utilities for local vigilantes to guarantee security. Omenugha also recalled that under Chief Willie Obiano Anambra had Community-Choose-Your-Project Scheme which he said has brought a lot of development to the grassroots. That the Light-Up Anambra Project was not left out as it brought back night economy in the state. He said the International Airport, the International Convention Centre, the Stadium and a lot of bridges are legacy projects of the Willie Obiano administration.

He however, pointed out that Soludo’s administration would do a holistic consolidation of all the gains and progress made by past governments. That Soludo will take Anambra state further to a greater height and make it  more  prosperous. He said the governor has started some palliative works on some major roads in Anambra, adding that Prof. Soludo is touching all the sectors simultaneously which he said is in line with his manifesto for Ndi-Anambra.Also, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, the Managing Director of the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation said Soludo’s cabinet members are people with good backgrounds both intellectually, operationally and professionally, describing the governor’s cabinet members as a revolutionary team. 

Nnabuife said he expects with a very high level of conviction good delivery and nothing short of such, noting that the 21 commissioners and other political appointees have not given any indication of lack in their pedigrees; that Anambra is in for a very big transformation and that Prof. Soludo is known all over the world for being a hands-on leader who sets out to the field. He said he is expecting the cabinet members to deliver on the mandate of the solution.  According to Nnabuife, the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment in Anambra state should be the driving force of governance and that paying more attention to the ministry would be the most appropriate thing to do. That the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment should be energised and mobilised as well to bring the appropriate information to the populace whom he said are almost everyday inaundated with fake news, fear and disenchantments from social media platforms.

 He said that if the  Information Ministry is effectively mobilised and people deploy their professional aptitude in that area, government will begin to rescue the minds of the people from falsehoods and buy into the direction of the state, we will retrieve our society and reclaim our space, adding that the most important way to social safety, social security and social harmony currently is through the information sector and that is why Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo should be appreciated and applauded for paying attention and being keen about the public enlightenment sector in Anambra State. 

RAYMOND OZOJI is a voice from the wilderness!!!