News

PFN ADVISES CLERICS AGAINST FROLICKING WITH POLITICIANS, INAUGURATES NEW EXCO AT IDEMILI NORTH

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria ( (PFN), has advised Clerics against flocking around politicians or political office holders to sing their praises because of financial or material benefits, saying that it is against Ministerial ethics and biblical principles.

Speaking at Glory Point Assembly, Awada Obosi during the inauguration ceremony of PFN Idemili North Chapter Council Men and Women Executives, the Chairman PFN Anambra State, Bishop Moses Ezedebego discouraged clergymen from going to politicians in the guise to minister to them, saying that it degrades the prestigious office of the priest.

“As election draws near in Anambra State, Ministers of the gospel should beware of politicians. Do not go to the house of political office seekers to sing their praises so that you will receive peanuts. That is sycophancy. Politicians may give you money but your integrity is gone.

“You are a kingmaker. From the bible times kings go to the priests to seek spiritual help or their blessings not the other way round. A clergy may not have money but you have contentment. Let your integrity control your destiny,” said the prelate.

Inaugurating the Idemili North Local Executive Council (LEC) he admonished them to embrace the servant- leadership style of Jesus Christ as the ultimate model.

‘Leadership is beyond position but responsibility. Servant -Leadership introduced by Jesus Christ is selfless and willingness to sacrifice all for the care of his followers unlike what is seen in the political arena of the world system where people scramble for political power because of selfish interests and what to accumulate,” said Bishop Ezedebego.

Moreover, a special guest of honor, House of Representatives Member for Idemili North and South Constituency, Hon Harris Uche Okonkwo acknowledged the contributions of PFN at the various government levels, urging them to continue to partner with other stakeholders in nation building. He also urged leaders to continue to put God first if they intend to achieve lasting success in all their endeavors.

Earlier in his welcome address, the new Chairman, PFN Idemili North, Rev. Emeka Elukposi, flanked by his wife, Rev Mrs Chinyere Elukposi(Chairperson of the Women Wing) after eulogizing the achievements of the immediate past chapter PFN Chairman, Rev Ifeanyichukwu and Pastor Mrs Enekwachi and other members of the LEC and Local Advisory Council (LAC) pledged to strengthen the unity of pentecostals, raise the bar of excellence and establish a PFN permanent Secretariat within Idemili North LGA.

Moreover, the inauguration Chairman, CEO Pineleaf Estate and Properties Limited,Archbishop Dr. Onyeka Nzekwesi donated a land for the Idemili North PFN Secretariat testifying to the glory of God that he is a beneficiary of sowing into PFN programs and projects.

The wealth creator, Archbishop Dr Onyeka Nzekwesi, the Idemili North PFN Secretary, Dr Mathew Ugbo, 2nd Vice Chairman/Chairman Inauguration planning committee, Rev Gilbert Ihemnacho, Former Idemili North LGA PFN Chairman, Pastor Ifeanyichukwu Enekwachi, Prophet Austine Meche of Prophetic Reformation Outreach also discouraged clergymen from running around politicians for stomach infrastructure in the name of praying for them, saying that clergymen were king makers who supposed to be apolitical but available to offer godly counsel to both leaders and the people.

Highlights of the event included administration of oath of allegiance, launching of bye law, cutting of cake, Prophetic declarations from PFN fathers and stakeholders among others.

Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

ONITSHA NORTH PAYS TRIBUTE TO EX-DEPUTY CHAIRMAN IN EMOTIONAL VALEDICTORY SERVICE

By Claribel Udah, Chioma Nwankwo, Chika Obi and Anthonia Amaechina

In a heartfelt ceremony, the Onitsha North Local Government Area has bid farewell to the late Mrs. Ludumila “Government” Mba, former Deputy Chairman of the Council, with tributes flowing from civic leaders, family members, and APGA stakeholders.

Under the leadership of Mayor Nweze Tony Nwora, the valedictory session held at the LGA Secretariat in Onitsha celebrated Mrs. Mba’s enduring legacy. “Mama Government taught us the inner workings of governance and shaped the political journeys of many, including our Commissioner for Youth Development,” Mayor Nwora reflected. “Today, we honour a remarkable woman whose influence still guides us.”

Mayor Nwora praised Mrs. Mba’s contributions to the council and noted that her eldest son, former Chairman Hon. Patrick Agha Mba—now Commissioner for Youth Development has built upon her achievements. “Her dedication inspired not just him, but other councillors who have served this community,” he added, leading prayers for her peaceful repose.

Hon. Patrick Agha Mba thanked colleagues who served alongside his mother, including Dr. Alex Obiogbolu of the Anambra State Civil Service Commission, and acknowledged the support of the Nzekwu and Odiakaosa families. “She was a woman of deep faith and fierce determination,” he said. “Our duty now is to carry forward her work and make her proud.”

Legislative Council Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Okwuayanga paid tribute to Mrs. Mba’s formidable spirit, while first son Hon. Odi Mba recalled her pioneering role as the NPN Woman Leader in Anambra State in 1979. “She was a trailblazer in politics and life,” he said, thanking Mayor Nwora for hosting the ceremony.

The valedictory session concluded with prayers, hymns, and a final group photograph, marking the end of a befitting tribute to a beloved matriarch of Onitsha North.

Udah, Nwankwo, Obi and Amaechina are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

HISTORIC VISIT: NIGERIA WINS, AS PRESIDENT TINUBU IS SET TO END SOUTH-EAST MARGINALISATION

ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT

Press Statement

Date: May 10, 2025

The government and people of Anambra State express profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his historic State Visit to Anambra, on May 8, 2025.

The visit marks a significant turning point in the quest for inclusive national development. It signals the beginning of the end of decades of infrastructural and economic marginalisation of the South-East region. The government and people of Anambra State are deeply gratified that Mr President, in response to the visionary leadership and engagement efforts of their governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, graciously approved key requests that were part of Anambra’s strategic ask-list.

The approved items by Mr President include:

Inclusion of Anambra State and the South-East in the National Railway Masterplan – A bold step that promises to open new corridors of mobility, trade, and interconnectivity for the South-East and the rest of the federation.
Inclusion of Anambra and the Southeast in the nation’s Gas Pipeline Masterplan – A critical enabler of industrialisation and energy access, which will support the state’s growing manufacturing and technology sectors.
Approval for the completion of the Federal highway linking Anambra and Kogi State—This transformational project will reduce travel time to Abuja from Anambra by about four hours, fostering trade, mobility, and national unity.
Commencement of reconstruction works on the failed portions of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway – the long-standing infrastructural challenge is now finally receiving the federal government’s attention under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr President pledged federal support for ecological investments to tackle erosion in Anambra State. This intervention is apposite, knowing that environmental problems of this nature remain Anambra’s number one existential threat.
We also appreciate Mr. President’s acceptance to be conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Dike-Si-Mba Anambra” by the traditional rulers in the state. This symbolic title is a testament to his large-heartedness and recognition of his contributions to national development and unity, and his friendship with the state.
Mr President acknowledged the huge potential of Anambra State and pledged to work together with Prof. Soludo to fast-track his vision of transforming Anambra into an African Dubai, Taiwan, Silicon Valley (ADTS) in his acknowledgement of Professor Soludo as a Solution Provider and demonstration of Progressives Working Together.
The other critical request made by Governor Soludo was for the federal government to get Onitsha River Port working.
We are deeply grateful to Mr President for pledging the Federal Government’s continued partnership with Anambra State and the South-East for total restoration of security.

The State Visit is therefore a big win for Ndi Anambra and indeed all Ndi Igbo. It is a victory for justice, inclusivity, and visionary leadership. It is also a testimony to the power of constructive engagement, strategic partnership, and purposeful governance of the Soludo administration.

This bold response by the president is a deserving show of friendship—a friendship that transcends politics and is rooted in the shared aspiration for a more united, progressive Nigeria and evidence of progressives working together.

The Anambra State Government reaffirms its commitment to working collaboratively with the Federal Government to ensure the successful execution of these projects. We are confident that these landmark approvals will translate into tangible improvements in the lives and livelihoods of our state and its people.

We hail Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, for his statesmanlike leadership and tireless pursuit of development and equity for Ndi Anambra and the South-East. His commitment to inclusive progress, economic transformation, and national cohesion has once again borne fruit. As Mr President rightly noted, Professor Soludo is a solution provider, and Anambra is rising (to use Asiwaju’s words), which is the reason Mr President declared his intention to work with the solution governor of Anambra State.

Indeed, with this partnership, we are reminded that only progressive welfarism shall thrive in the new Nigeria we all seek to build. Progressives shall continue to work together!

Finally, the government of Anambra State and Ndi Anambra sincerely appreciate the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu; the governors of the South-East (Governor of Abia, H.E. Dr Alex Otti, Governor of Enugu State, H.E. Dr Peter Mba, Governor of Ebonyi, H.E. Francis Nwifuru, represented by his deputy) led by the chairman, H.E. Senator Hope Uzodinma; the Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, and a host of others who travelled from far and near to grace the State Visit and show solidarity to Anambra State.

God bless Asiwaju, God bless Anambra State, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Law Mefor, PhD
Commissioner for Information
Anambra State
May 10, 2025.

ANAMBRA CP COMMENDS SECURITY AGENCIES FOR EFFECTIVE COORDINATION, ENHANCED SAFETY

By Chizoba Njaka

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has expressed commendation to the police and other security agencies in Anambra State for their enhanced coordination and resilience in ensuring the safety of the state.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, CP Orutugu acknowledged the collective efforts of the security agencies and appreciated the support and cooperation received from the good people of Anambra.

The Commissioner noted that the recent successful hosting of high-profile events, including weddings in Ihiala and a visit by the President of Nigeria in Awka, the state capital, on May 8, 2025, underscores the safety and security of the state.

CP Orutugu emphasized that prioritizing security coordination and collaboration is a proactive approach to addressing security concerns and promoting a safer environment for all. The police command’s efforts in this regard are aimed at sustaining the peace and security in the state, and the command remains committed to its responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives and property in Anambra.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Ben Nebolisa Okolo, representing the Inspector General of Police.

Njaka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

IDEMILI NORTH MAYOR CONDOLES FAMILY OF SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING VICTIMS

By Amaka Iloanya

The Idemili North Mayor, Chief Stanley Nkwoka alongside his team, visited the family of the victims of a suspected food poisoning at Ogidi. Sympathising with the father of the victims. Mr Arinze Aghalu. The compassionate Mayor assured of every support, promising to unravel the mystery behind the ugly incident.

Mr Arinze Aghalu who said to have lost almost entire member of his family, his 4 children including his brother all died out of alleged food poison, while his wife still on a life support battling with her life. The victims’ father has been traumatized since the incident.

Honourable Stanley Nkwoka, who was broken as well seeing and hearing the ugly incident, assured the bereaved that whatever led to the dastardly act must be publicised to forestall future occurrence.

He also visited the hospital where the victims’ mother, Mrs Aghalu is receiving her treatment, The mayor enjoyed the Chief Medical Director of the hospital(Undisclosed) to do everything within his reach to stable the woman’s life for the sake of her husband and their only survived child and promised to take care of all the hospital bills.

It would be recalled that five out of six members of a family allegedly died of food poisoning after eating rice, only their father who opted for swallow and a daughter who wasn’t around survived the mayhem while the mother of the children is currently battling for her dear life at an undisclosed hospital, while the family prays and hope for her survival.

Iloanya is the of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

WELCOME ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR CHUKWUMA CHARLES SOLUDO, CFR ON THE OCASSION OF THE GRAND RECEPTION FOR H.E PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR DURING HIS STATE VISIT TO ANAMBRA STATE, 8TH May 2025

PROTOCOLS
On behalf of the government and great people of Anambra State, I am greatly honoured to welcome you, our dear President, to Anambra State – the Light of the Nation! Nnoo Asiwaju! Nnoo Omenife Awka! Welcome to Anambra, the land of enterprise, knowledge, and leadership. Welcome to the home to many of Nigeria’s and Africa’s founding fathers and leaders past—Zik of Africa, Nwafor-Orizu, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Kenneth Dike, Margaret Ekpo, Chinua Achebe, Pius Okigbo, Chuba Okadigbo, etc. Welcome to the home of Africa’s statesman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. Welcome to the home of the Cardinals— Arinze and Okpaleke, as well as Blessed Iwene Tansi. Yes, welcome to the home of West Africa’s largest market and automobile hub as well as home to thousands of Africa’s shining entrepreneurs and innovators. Welcome to Anambra, the land of infinite possibilities! Yes, welcome to Anambra, reputed over the past three months, as the safest state in Nigeria! Finally, welcome to Anambra, the land of the progressives!
Your visit to Anambra State today is historic and consequential. The last state visit by a President was in 2012, ostensibly to commission a brewery and another private enterprise. This visit is not just to commission projects. We have over 500km of roads, flyovers/bridges completed and waiting for commissioning; five new general hospitals and world class trauma centre completed and waiting for commissioning; smart schools and water projects waiting for commissioning; new markets and bus terminal; etc. Previously, we have insisted that the users of our roads and projects should be the ones to commission them—keke and bus drivers, farmers, traders, etc. We are strategic in our choice of projects deserving your attention. Today, Mr. President, you have unveiled two mini-cities (the brochure for this event describes them fully), the 8-lane boulevard, the tower of light and monument of heroes—as symbolisms of the audacity of our dreams for a new Anambra. Like the Americans would say, and as we repeatedly affirm to Ndi Anambra, “you ain’t seen nothing yet”!
Ours is an agenda with a deadline. With a vision of Anambra as African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley (ADTS)— next axis of sustainable prosperity– and with a 50 Year Master Plan (which I chaired the drafting), we are in a haste to lay solid foundations. In simple terms, we are determined to change the trajectory of Anambra from a departure lounge to a destination of choice (see the brochure for this event for basic outline of the road travelled so far and parts of the road ahead—- we don’t need to repeat them here for want of time). But what is unmistakable is that Anambra is clearly on the rise.
We are here also to celebrate you, Mr. President, and we will demonstrate our appreciation shortly. Thank you for all the hard work you put in to move Anambra and Nigeria forward. We know the state of Nigerian economy with all its unsustainable dysfunctionalities when you assumed office. You had the courage to tame the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos and now, you are systematically getting the economy to work again. There is still a lot of work ahead but there is no doubt that in less than two years, important building blocks are already falling into place. We urge you to stay the course, Mr. President. Many thanks also for appointing many Ndi Anambra into your administration, especially the appointment of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Ojukwu and MD, Southeast Development Commission, Mark Okoye. Your Pan-Nigerian disposition was evident when as Governor of Lagos, you appointed an Anambra son, Ben Akabueze, your commissioner for Budget and Planning. Similarly, here in Anambra, one of my new Permanent Secretaries is from Osun State—Bayo Ojeyinka. We are deeply grateful for several road projects currently being executed by your administration that benefit Anambra state, running into hundreds of billions of Naira especially the Enugu-Onitsha Road, Rehabilitation of Onitsha-Owerri Road, Phase 2b access road to Second Niger bridge, rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi Road Section II in Anambra, etc. When completed, they will be important gamechangers for our people. We are complementing your efforts. Part of our transport masterplan for Anambra is to dualize all trunk A roads (state and federal) in the state, and so far, we are spending over N170 billion on sundry federal roads including ambitious dualization projects.
No doubt the partnership between Anambra State and the federal government works well. We benefit fully from all federal programmes including education, health, ICT, agriculture, infrastructure, flooding/ecological response, social interventions, etc. A few months ago, the federal government with donor agencies rewarded Anambra with a cash prize of $500,000 as Southeast regional champion and $700,000 as national champion in primary health care national challenge for 2024.
To leapfrog the process of our transformation, there are however a few critical areas we would need further federal interventions to unlock huge opportunities. Anambra remains, possibly, the gully erosion capital of the world, with one-third of our land mass under persistent threat and the resource requirements to deal with this are far beyond the capacity of a state government. We are already spending tens of billions of Naira on this but a lot more is urgently needed. The Southeast, and Anambra in particular, is bypassed by the national gas masterplan despite abundant reserves of natural gas. We are not part of the national rail system. The Onitsha River port, commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1982 remains a proposal ostensibly because the federal government has been unable to undertake the required dredging. Only Asiwaju, the man who tamed the Atlantic, can break this 43-year-old jinx so that badges from Onne and other seaports can easily discharge at Onitsha. There is an abandoned strategic federal road project that links Anambra with Kogi state. Upon completion, the journey between Anambra/Southeast and Abuja might be shortened to about three hours —down from the current nine hours! The list is long, and we are convinced that systematically, these issues will be addressed.
Mr. President, fellow Nigerians, beyond Anambra, Nigeria must survive and prosper. For the sake of Nigeria and future generations, President Tinubu must succeed, and we are prepared to support him in every way possible to succeed and excel. Our support for President Tinubu is rooted in history, principle, and ideology. Both of us served in government (2003-2007) and as President’s economic adviser and later Governor of the Central Bank/member of the National Economic Council, I greatly admired the principled stance of then Governor of Lagos and now President Tinubu, on federalism. He was our professor on federalism at every NEC meeting and he fought the federal government, at great costs, to promote principles of federalism. Of course, his political party, first the AD, and later AC, ACN and now APC— consistently professed progressivism. On my part, I am an unrepentant federalist and centre progressive. Before I joined the party in 2013, it took me 12 months of review and reflection on the Manifesto of the All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which was registered in 2002 as the first party to profess “progressivism” (at least in its name), and a commitment to federalist principles. That’s why even when I joined the party in 2013 and I was disqualified from contesting its primaries, I stayed put on ideological grounds and principle. Today, I am its national leader and in Anambra, we are intentionally giving our party an ideological soul with policies and programmes strongly rooted in centre-progressivism. While laying the meta-level foundations as leaders in commerce, industry, technology and leisure, we are (in the traditions of Awoism and M.I. Okpara) building the people sustainably— through absolutely free and qualitative education from primary to senior secondary leading to lowest out of school children in Nigeria with bursary awards for tertiary students soon; free antenatal, free delivery services benefiting hundreds of thousands of women; training and empowering thousands of youth-preneurs as millionaires; distribution of millions of palm and coconut seedlings set to lift hundreds of thousands permanently out of poverty; prioritizing infrastructure to uplift agrarian communities; exempting the poor and vulnerable from taxes and levies; etc. The people are better and happy. In Anambra we are firmly and comfortably progressives.
In 2011 (before I joined in 2013), APGA took an official position to support and work with the political party/government at the centre. Indeed, in that year, APGA adopted the sitting president then as its presidential candidate. That policy has not changed. Coincidentally at this moment in history, the party/government at the Centre is one that also professes “progressivism”. As the foremost progressive party in Nigeria, APGA is ideologically and strategically aligned with the Centre. So far, the progressives are working well, together! It is indeed time for all progressives, federalists and all parties with social-democratic, centrist, and left-of centre credentials to unite—to advance the purpose of a united and progressive Nigeria. Mr. President should lead us in this new movement.
Finally, thank you again Mr. President for this great honour to Ndi Anambra with this historic state visit. The Presidential lodge is ready, and we are looking forward to your next visit. Perhaps, it won’t be a bad idea to relocate your office and operate from Anambra for a week or two. May God continue to bless you and may Nigeria continue to win!

God bless Anambra State!

God bless Asiwaju, our own Dikesimba!!

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

“SOLUDO IS MY FRIEND, HE IS A VISIONARY AND COMPETENT LEADER. MY GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT HIM TO ACTUALISE HIS VISION FOR ANAMBRA” — TINUBU

By Christian ABURIME

Anambra State this Thursday hosted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in a historic visit marked by the commissioning of several major projects executed by the Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration

The President’s visit—the first by a sitting Nigerian leader to Anambra in over a decade—was both symbolic and practical, underscoring federal recognition of Soludo’s development agenda.

President Tinubu commissioned the new Government House and Governor’s Lodge, described as a mini city within a city; the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the 8-Lane Aroma–Government House Boulevard, and the Solution Fun City, a one-stop location for leisure and entertainment that caters to the needs of all ages, social classes and gender. It houses a water park, family fun house, country club, and amusement park facilities.

He also unveiled monuments in honour of five Anambra-born national heroes.

In his welcome address, Governor Soludo praised the president for his “courageous and systematic” economic reforms that are already setting the country on a recovery path.

“We know the state of Nigeria’s economy with all its unsustainable dysfunctionalities when you assumed office. You had the courage to tame the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, and now, you’re courageously and systematically getting the economy to work again,” Soludo said.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, we know, but there’s no doubt that in less than two years, important building blocks are already falling into place. We urge you, Mr. President, to stay the course.”

The Governor, who is leading a transformation drive in Anambra aimed at turning it into the “African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley,” said the projects commissioned by the president were part of a long-term development blueprint. He emphasized the importance of synergy between Awka and Abuja in tackling major issues like gully erosion, road infrastructure, and the revitalization of the Onitsha River Port.

Responding, President Tinubu commended Governor Soludo for his leadership and developmental strides.

“I am honoured to be here. I commend my friend, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who is a visionary and competent leader for the work he has been doing in Anambra State,” the President said.

The President used the occasion to speak candidly about the challenges his administration inherited, particularly unsustainable fuel subsidies, a chaotic forex regime, and dwindling public revenue.

“We met a near-insolvent public finance, decades-old monster of unsustainable multiple subsidies, and a chaotic forex regime. Like we tamed the Atlantic in Lagos, many of these monsters have been wrestled down,” he declared.

The President also acknowledged the state’s marginalisation in the national rail plan and promised corrective steps, including integrating Anambra into the national gas infrastructure network.

On the environment, the President described Anambra as “the gully erosion capital of the world” and assured of renewed federal efforts to tackle ecological degradation in the Southeast.

The President was also honoured by traditional rulers in the state with the chieftaincy title “Dike si-mba Anambra.”

Expressing deep appreciation, he said:

“Today is not only historic but one which I will forever treasure for the rest of my life.”

The high-profile event was attended by key dignitaries, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Alex Otti (Abia); Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu as well as Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

The visit capped a day of celebration and mutual pledges for deepening federal-state relations in pursuit of Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural renewal.

NDI ANAMBRA, THANK YOU FOR THE ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION FOR MR PRESIDENT, H.E. ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, DIKE-SI-MBA ANAMBRA

THE GOVERNMENT OF ANAMBRA STATE

PRESS RELEASE

The Anambra State Government wishes to express gratitude to Ndi Anambra for the rousing welcome given to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Dike-Si-Mba Anambra, on his historic state visit to Anambra State.

The state visit was executed as planned and yielded several results, which would shortly benefit the state and its citizens. In response to Governor Soludo’s requests on behalf of the state, among other results, the president promised to assist the state in addressing the erosion threat, reintegration into the national railway system, and restoring the state to the nation’s gas master plan. The president also promised to finish the federal roads linking Anambra and Kogi that were abandoned to facilitate access and shorten travel time from Anambra State to the South-South and Abuja.

The president also used the state visit to gauge the mood of Ndi Anambra and to commission some historic projects that the Soludo administration has completed in the past three years. These included the brand-new Anambra Government House Mini-city, the largest in Nigeria after Aso Rock Villa, and Solution Fun City, which included a leisure park (water park and amusement park), a family fun house, and a country club.

Along with unveiling the Our Heroes Past Monument and the Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard, the eight-lane dual highway leading to the new government building, the President also lit the Light of the Nation Tower.

Thank you again. You have once again shown yourselves to be the light of the nation.

Law Mefor, PhD
Commissioner for Information,
Anambra State

May 9, 2025.

ANAMBRA: TINUBU AFFIRMS TACKLING CHALLENGES FACING STATE, ASSURES PARTNERSHIP

By Juliana Nwachukwu

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has assured Ndi Anambra of tackling the challenges facing the state and the request for assistance and partnership, promised to make ecological investment that would megate Anambra State, Southeast by the National master plan.

President Tinubu who gave the assurance and affirmation at Alex Ekwueme Awka during his reception after commissioning of the monumental projects built by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said that Anambra as the gully erosion capital of the world, he has taking serious notice on various challenges facing her.

He also said that he would rectify the abandoned road project from Anambra- Kogi State, assuring that the already designed and the Ministry of Transportation are aware to conclude the connection in the master plan, saying “With our progressive ideological alliance, we would continue to partner with your state to deliver prosperity in Anambra State”

“Southeast, I salute your enterprise, your innovation, commitment to progress, Soludo is a brilliant man, he is the brain, he knows the way, when I became the President, Soludo was one of those advisories who would bring prosperity back to you, for what I have seen on ground, from the evidence of what I have seen today is the solid foundation and Anambra is on the rise.

“I just commissioned several legacy projects particularly the Solution Fun City, Government House, Anambra Tower of Light, the unveiling of Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy.

He lauded Governor Soludo for naming the Umueri Airport Boulevard before his predecessor, Willie Obiano, commending Anambra State Government on security and assured of the federal government partnership with the state and the southeast to secure the future.

The president expressed his joy on the Chieftaincy title bestowed on him by all the Traditional Rulers in the State on behalf of Ndi Anambra, noting that it is historic, and will treasure it the rest of his life.

Earlier in his address, Governor Soludo said that the last visit by the President of Nigeria to the State was in 2012, to commission a brewery and another enterprise, noting, “TInubu’s visit in Anambra is historic and consequential, not just to commission projects, we have over 500 km roads, flyovers, bridges, completed and awaiting commissioning among others.

“We are very strategic in our choice of projects deserving presidents attention, what you commission today are mere symbolism of the audacity of our dreams for a new Anambra State. Like the Americans would say and I have repeatedly affirmed with Ndi Anambra, you’ve not seen nothing yet.

“It is an agenda with a vision of Anambra as an African Dubai -Taiwan Silicon Valley as the best axis of sustainable prosperity with a 50 years master plan which we are in a haste to lay foundation. In simple terms, we are determined to change the strategy of Anambra to a destination of choice.

“We know the state of Nigeria economy with all less sustainable dysfunctionality when you assumed office, you had the courage to tame the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos and now you have the courage and courageously, systematically getting the economy work again.

“In less than two years, the important building blocks are already falling into place, we thank you for the Southeast Development Commission, for also appointing many Ndi Anambra into your administration. Of course your pan african disposition is an evidence, when as Governor of Lagos, you appointed an Anambra son, Ben Nwabueze as your Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.

“Here in Anambra, you just saw a Permanent Secretary from Osun State, another one from Abia. During recruitment of 8,115 teachers, we did not care which state you came from because the interest of an Anambra child is to be taught by the best teacher in the world not from the incompetent teacher from the village.

“We are deeply grateful for several road project being currently executed by your administration that benefit Anambra State running into hundreds of billions of naira especially the Enugu-Onitsha road.

“We appreciate your Minister of Work who came recently to flag off and being working tirelessly to get this project on track rehabilitation of Onitsha-Owerri road, phase 2 access roads to 2nd Niger bridge, rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi road, section 2 in Anambra State, when completed there would be important game changes for our people.

“That your master plan for Ndi Anambra is to dualize all the trunks A road in Anambra both state and federal and also for spending almost over 70 billion on sundry federal roads including ambitious dualization of about 140 km of them.

“To sign point the point that the partnership between Anambra State and Federal government is working well, we benefit fully from all the federal roads including federal programmes, including programmes on ICT, Agriculture, Health, Infrastructure among others.

According to Soludo, the federal government rewarded Anambra 300,000 dollars and 700,000 dollars on health as national champion in Primary Health Care for 2024, we are benefitting in area of transformation.

“There is abandoned project that links Anambra between Kogi State, upon completion, the journey between Anambra and Abuja might be shortened to 3 hours from the 9 hours, believed that these things would systematically get your attention and be addressed.

“We are to support in every possible way and to excel or support to Tinubu is rooted in history, on principle and ideology, both of us served in the government between 2003-2007 and as President Economic Adviser and later Governor of Central Bank, member of National Economic Council.

“I greatly admired principle stance of the government of Lagos and now President Tinubu on federalism, he was our professor on federalism on every NEC meeting.

“In Anambra, we are progressives, in 2011, APGA as an official position to support and work with the party and government at the center, APGA adopted the sitting president then as its Presidential candidate,”Soludo posited.

Others that spoke at the event include the Elder states man, Secretary General, Common wealth, Emeka Anyaoku, and Chief Sir Emeka Offor.

Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

GOVERNOR SOLUDO REJOICES WITH CATHOLICS WORLDWIDE ON THE ELECTION OF POPE LEO XIV

Press Release

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has conveyed his warmest congratulations to the Catholics in Anambra State, Nigeria, and across the globe on the significant election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, whose original name is Cardinal Robert Prevost.

In his goodwill message, Governor Soludo expressed immense delight at the news of the ascension of Cardinal Robert Prevost to the Chair of Saint Peter.

As the first American Pope, with rich French and Italian heritage, and a deep connection to the vibrant Catholic community in Peru, Pope Leo XIV embodies the universal spirit of the Catholic Church.

His background, marked by significant missionary and pastoral work in Peru, including his service as a parish pastor, seminary rector, and canon law teacher, speaks volumes of his dedication, spiritual depth, and untiring commitment to the service of God and humanity.

The Governor extolled Pope Leo XIV’s distinguished intellectual prowess, shown in degrees in Mathematics and Canon Law, coupled with his extensive leadership experience within the Order of St. Augustine, which lay a strong foundation for his Petrine ministry.

His past roles as Provincial of the Augustinian Province of Chicago also demonstrate his proven leadership capabilities and his understanding of the diverse needs of the global Catholic family.

Therefore, Governor Soludo congratulates the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and all Catholics in Anambra State, Nigeria, and the world with prayers that the new Pope will lead with wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit as he navigates the complexities of our modern world, fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and upholding the sanctity of human life.

Signed,

Christian Aburime
Press Secretary to the Governor

May 8, 2025