What caught the attention of the officiating priest —Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Megwalu – at the 91st birthday mass celebration of Chief T. O. C. Chiegboka at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Onitsha was Governor Soludo’s punctuality. As usual, he arrived at the church twenty-five minutes before the start of the mass, only to find that another mass was still ongoing inside. Instead of staying back inside the car to receive air conditioning or looking for a VIP section in Bishop’s court, he decided to join other awaiting-congregants under the canopy outside the church. This gave him an opportunity to interact with his people, listen to their feedback on government policies, and address any concerns they had.
I find it humbling that Soludo’s punctuality is a recurring trait. It is a detail that the public often overlooks. Notably, in most cases, officiating priests publicly commend him for that punctuality act, as it is rare to see public officials or Nigerian politicians arrive so early for events. It is a total departure from the norm, where many public figures prefer to make a dramatic entrance, disrupting activities with their late arrivals.
Beyond church events, Soludo’s punctuality extends to his official engagements and meetings. In fact, it is not uncommon for him to arrive at an event a good 20 minutes before it is scheduled to begin. This level of punctuality speaks volumes about his respect for time and commitment to engaging with the people he serves.
Soludo’s humility and simplicity are natural. They are not choreographed. I have had the privilege of working closely with him for four years, two of which were during the gubernatorial campaigns and two years into his government. During this time, I have learned so much about simplicity and humility from him. Despite his global achievements, he lives a humble and down-to-earth life. It is surprising that someone in his position still embodies such values.