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ANAMBRA INVESTMENT SUMMIT GEARED AT ACCELERATING PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSFORMATION OF ANAMBRA—GOV. SOLUDO
By Amaka Isikala/Ebele Iyke Odili :
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo has described the Anambra State Investment Summit as a strategic event which is geared towards accelerating partnerships for the state’s transformation.
The Summit was put together by the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) at the International Civic Centre (ICC), Awka which was themed, ‘Changing Gears: Accelerating Anambra Economic Transformation’.
The governor while thanking the attendees for the sacrifice they made to grace the occasion said that the event is like non-other as Anambra State is ready for investment.
“The fundamentals are strong and we are doing everything to actualize a livable and sustainable Anambra in terms of infrastructure, industrialization and a huge dive into security matters which we are not relenting to keep in check.
“That we are asking the people to invest in Anambra is not to do us a favour but it is in their own interests; those who invested now in the mixed used industrial city, the Awka 2.0 and Onitsha 2.0 would tell the story in years to come.
“We are looking for partners and I commend and urge you all to come home and invest.”
The Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu while participating in a panel of discussion at the summit, described the state as a strong and thriving hub for trade, commerce and industry.
He said that the people’s entrepreneurial prowess and the government’s groundbreaking development of the state makes it a business friendly environment and a destination for investment deals.
The commissioner noted that historically the state is a significant producer of farm produce like rice, cassava, vegetables, yams and sundry agro production.
“We have 12 clusters of industrial capacity across Anambra and Mr. Governor felt the need to have a structure that is industrial driven; that is the reason this administration has given birth to the concept of enabling an industrial development which include automotive and pharmaceutical hub.”
Mr. Udechukwu affirmed that the Gov. Soludo’s administration is working at ensuring that the state becomes the industrial hub for Africa as a whole.
The Managing Director, ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye emphasized that the progress that Gov. Soludo has made is a testament to the commitment he has towards making the state a proud investment destination.
“We are taking a next step into our journey by changing gears which required not just momentum acceleration but a strategic focus on the future despite the challenges we face.
“It is clear that the role of the policy makers in the state is to come up with actions and solutions that commands a tangible difference in the lives of our residents”.
The MD noted that Gov. Soludo and his team has shown an unwavering dedication to transforming the state from a place of opportunity to a destination for investment and prosperity.
“Our goal is to make Anambra a beacon for sustainable growth and economic development. This summit is part of our vision, which leads to a collective duty to focus on long term planning and creation of a frame work that would ensure the sustainable growth of our economy not just for today but for generations to come.”
Climax of the event was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between some Organizations and the government to lay credence to the Private Public Partnership (PPP) policies of the state government.
4 INDIGENT TRADERS EMPOWERED WITH #400,000 BY MARKET CHAIRMAN
By Juliana Nwachukwu :
Four indigent traders of Sokoto Road Market Traders Association, Onitsha, Anambra State, were empowered by the market Chairman, Hon. Emeka Mbachu, with a sum of #100,000 each.
The kind gesture of the chairman according to market sources has become a routine aimed at taking the down trodden to the next level, especially at this era of economic quagmire.
During the occasion, Pastor Godspower Chibuzor, who presided over the market prayer session that preceded the empowerment exercise enjoined the traders to embrace God and assist the needy for them to be blessed.
Despite the money presented to the beneficiaries, the benefactor, Hon. Mbachu and his amiable wife also donated some mother care items to nursing mothers as part of their social responsibility.
According to Mr Mbachu, I do it at least quarterly but as for this December last prayer, it is a must that I will help the needy. This one is the third time I am doing it. That is what I decided to be doing.
“After handing over to the needy, my friends and good spirited individuals around supported me and raised up to #300,000 for them.
“We rise by lifting others, when you see the needy, try to sponsor the person, don’t look at what people are saying about your philanthropy.
“The one I did last year, the beneficiaries came out today and sow seeds. A day after the prayer day, I was passing through the shop of one of the beneficiaries that was selling fruits and realized that she is now selling toys.
“I am pleading on all the market leaders to emulate my kind gesture as I emulate from our Governor.”
He also said that the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is a workaholic and as such whoever that works with him must behave like him.
“My special greeting goes to both the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Ubah, and our ASMATA President General, Hon Humphery Anuna, including the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emeka Orji. They are people working under Onitsha South and they are doing good.
Reacting, Mrs Joy Azubuike, one of the beneficiaries said, “When I came to Sokoto road market, I didn’t know where to start from, everyday I will be crying till one day our commander advised me to stand firm. He told me to go and meet our chairman and explain things to him, I told him our chairman is not my class that he hardly responds or gives me a listening ear any time I am complaining my problems to him.”
“It pains me a lot but because every time our chairman will be advising us about being hot tempered, we should avoid it. So I let go, not knowing that he was planning for me,” she said.
Another beneficiary also prayed for God’s guidance on Mr. Mbachu as he remembered them, asking God also to remember him, make him a king and the land of Onitsha to bless him.
*Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
ANAMBRA COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH MAKES UNSCHEDULED VISITS TO AWKUZU, ENUGWU-UKWU GENERAL HOSPITALS
By Chukwudi Nwauba :
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, has carried out unscheduled visits to Awkuzu and Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospitals aimed at assessing the state of healthcare, service delivery and ensuring that hospitals in the state maintain high standards of service, cleanliness, and patient care.
He toured various departments within both hospitals, including the outpatient and emergency units, as well as the wards.
During the visits, the Commissioner observed the condition of hospital facilities, the availability of medical supplies, and the overall welfare of patients and staff.
Dr. Obidike emphasized the importance of maintaining operational excellence in all public health facilities across the state.
“These unannounced visits are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that healthcare facilities in the state are providing quality care to the people.
“It is essential that we maintain high standards in all our hospitals so as to foster public trust and improve health outcomes.
“I must commend the medical personnel at Awkuzu General Hospital for their commitment and professionalism in attending to their patients and I urged Enugwu-Ukwu medical personnel to learn from Awkuzu General Hospital workers.”
The Commissioner also took the opportunity to engage with hospital staff, offering support and encouragement, identifying areas that require improvement.
He acknowledged the hard work of the medical personnel and urged them to continue prioritizing patient care and professionalism at all times.
Dr. Obidike noted that the government of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo is committed to addressing any challenges identified at all times.
These unscheduled visits are part of the mandate given to us by the governor, broader strategy to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services in the state, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and public health improvement.
The Commissioner while calling on residents to report any issues they experience at healthcare facilities, assured them that prompt action will be taken where necessary.
*Nwauba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
ANAMBRA HEALTH COMMISSIONER APPLAUDS EKWULOBIA GENERAL HOSPITAL HEALTH WORKERS
By Chukwudi Nwauba :
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, has commended the health workers at Ekwulobia General Hospital for their dedication and excellent service delivery.
Dr. Obidike made an impromptu visit to the facility at 7:25 pm on the evening of Nov. 14, 2024, emphasizing the importance of direct supervision in ensuring effective healthcare service.
He explained that his unannounced visit was part of the ongoing efforts to monitor the performance of healthcare workers across the state.
“Mr. Governor always tells us that any assignment not supervised is as good as not given,” he said, while reiterating the state’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all.
He further said that the continuous monitoring of public healthcare facilities is essential in achieving optimal service delivery, expressing satisfaction that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s investments in the sector were beginning to yield positive results.
The Commissioner encouraged the health workers to maintain their dedication and assured them of government’s continued support in improving healthcare services in the state.
*Chukwudi is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
AGRIC COMMISSIONER CANVASES SUPPORT TO HARNESS BENEFITS IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
The Anambra State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, has called for more concerted efforts by stakeholders for the state to access enormous benefits in organic agricultural produce.
He made the call in his office during a courtesy visit by a group under the umbrella of She Grows Her Food Initiative.
The Commissioner noted that development of organic farming could comfortably address numerous challenges, enhance profitability and promote healthy living in line with the Governor’s Wife, Dr Nonye Soludo’s Healthy Living Initiative.
“The effort is in tandem with what Mr Governor and his Wife, Dr Nonye Soludo are happy to see happen in the state. She has commenced Healthy Living Farms in local government areas and educational institutions in the state.
“She is giving out some seeds and encouraging school authorities to establish organic farms. Likewise, youths from your group could be found everywhere in the state growing organic foods.”
He added that government would exploit the public private partnership window to expand opportunities in organic farming.
“Bring the youths and we interface with them and we can get private sector to partner government and sponsor Demonstration Farms across the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, harped on the need to encourage youths to venture into organic farming, utilising demonstration farms to train others.
“This kind of youths are really what we are actually looking at in the agricultural sector. It will be good for us to start from your own farm, your cluster.”
The State Coordinator of the Group, Mr Linus Ugoo, who introduced Stem brand of organic fertilizers sourced to kick start Demonstration Farms, noted that over 80 youths trained in various areas of agriculture in Songhai Firm were already awaiting to train others.
While calling for government assistance to encourage the youths, he said that the products could be used to grow hybrid variety of crops including Okro, Tomatoes, Pepper, and Cucumber.
*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
SOLUDO UNFOLDS BLUEPRINT TO MAKE ANAMBRA CHOICE DESTINATION FOR INVESTORS
Michael Ezenwata. :
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has unleashed tangible policies aimed at making Anambra the epicenter of industrial activities for investors.
To actualize the vision,the governor announced plans to rejig the security apparati of the state to make it conducive for investment purposes.
He gave the indication at the second edition of the Anambra summit 2024 at the international convention centre Awka.
Speaking on the theme of the summit,”Changing Gears: Accelerating Anambra’s Economic Transformation’, governor Soludo noted that his cardinal policy thrust is to build a state he will be proud to live in and invest in after serving out his term as governor.
Given the rich endowment of human and material resources in the state, he urged investors to make haste to invest in the state which has attractive prospects for growth and rapid industrialization.
He listed some vital projects such as the ongoing ten storied five star hotel located beside the international convention centre which is being piled, the Awka Shopping Mall Complex in Awka, the nearing completion of the new government house and governor’s lodge complex, and the up grading of the Chinua Achebe international airport with night landing light facilities to be installed, among other projects scattered in all the 3 senatorial zones of the state in their various levels of completion.
Governor Soludo solicited the support of the citizenry to actualize his vision for the state.
In a speech, the state Chairman of the Anambra State Investment, Promotion and Protection Agency(ANSIPPA) Mr. Mark Okoye junior expressed delight in the policy thrust of governor Soludo which occasioned the signings of some memorandum of understanding between the state and its foreign and local partners.
In a press statement on the launching of the second edition of the summit, a community leader in Umuawulu, Chike Oranye (ESQ) commended governor Soludo on his good policy thrust and urged that Umuawulu which has a wide expanse of land and located within the Awka Capital territory be enlisted as communities where Agricultural industry or a Manufacturing industry should be sited.
Highpoints on the occasion were the signings of memorandum of understanding between the Anambra State government and some of its foreign and local partners, and conveying of goodwill messages by the state’s development partners.
Some dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Secretary to the state government Prof. Solomon Chukwulobelu, some members of the state executive council, captains of industries, the traditional ruler of Ihiala Igwe Thomas Obidiegwu and other traditional rulers, the Chairman of Njikoka LGA Godwin Ononiba (ESQ), among others.
GOV SOLUDO EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO CHURCH FOR SUPPORT TO FLOOD VICTIMS
By Chisom Okpala :
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has expressed his gratitude to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later -Day Saints for bringing succour to those affected by flood in the state.
“I want to thank the Church immensely on behalf of the state government and the great people of the state for this kind gesture,” Soludo noted.
The Governor explained that flooding in the state is an annual reoccurring disaster and should be treated as a permanent emergency.
While calling on other Religious bodies, private sectors, NGOs, International Organizations, Communities, Individuals, others to emulate the example shown by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in extending partnership to the state, Gov. Soludo reiterated that the Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model is widely adopted in every sector of development in the state, pointing out that the church fall into the community context of the model.
He, thereby, promised that the government team will ensure efficient distribution of the items, making sure that the items were given to those in most need of them.
Speaking, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. OnyekaChukwu Ibezim who is the Chairman Anambra State Flood Management Team said that no mortality has been recorded in this year’s flooding, which is as a result of the proactive measures adopted by the government in mitigating flooding in the state.
He, then, thanked the Governor for ensuring that various holding centers in the state are liveable, for improving the sanitary condition of these camps, securing the camps and its environment, as well as provision of food and other amenities.
Presenting the items to Anambra State Government at the SEMA office in Awka, the Regional Manager, Welfare and Self-reliance, Charles Adebayo and Area Seventy member, Dr. Justice Otuonye both of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in their various speeches explained that it is the obligatory concern of the church to render service to humanity.
“All our care is what Jesus Christ would have done if he was to be here, to see to the welfare of his friends, children and people.”
The duo commended the developmental strides of Gov. Soludo. According to them, the church understands the situation of those affected by the flood, thus have found it necessary through the church emergency response programme to cater for its members as well as non-members.
Highlight of the event featured the presentation of these donated items; Rice, Beans, Garri, Red oil, Cartons of Milk, Bournvita, Sugar, Noodles, Soaps, Detergents, Sanitary Pads, Mosquito Nets, others worth N250,000,000 to the state government.
*Chisom is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
ONITSHA SOUTH CHAIRMAN VOWS TO ESTABLISH WATER TRANSPORTATION, IMPROVE ON INFRASTRUCTURE
By Juliana Nwachukwu :
The Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Chief Emeka Orji, has said that he would establish water transportation to ease especially the transportation problem of rural people in evacuation of their farm produce even as he vowed to uplift the infrastructural development.
“I am coming up with a program for water transportation, I am planning to build jetties for water transportation to convey people from Onitsha to Asaba, Anambra East and West areas as well as to other hinterlands.”
He made the vow while speaking to newsmen in his office, noting that for him to achieve this that he has already Kickstarted the construction of a modern general hospital for the people in the area at the former location of Urban Boys Secondary School Fegge.
Chief Orji pledged that in no distant time the project will be completed, explaining that he is designing his developmental plans in line with the state government development agenda even as he said that he will establish four major fire stations which will be scattered in four major areas of the council area.
He named the areas to include, Bridgehead, Fegge, Ochanja and Odoakpu, adding that as days roll by, he will be unfolding a lot of developmental programs that are going to impact positively on the people in the council area.
*Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
ANAMBRA INVESTMENT SUMMIT: GOV SOLUDO CHARGES INVESTORS ON VALUE PROPOSITION
By Adaobi Nsofor :
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has charged investors willing to invest in the state to see themselves as partners in development.
Governor Soludo made the charge during the second edition of Anambra Investment Summit organised by Anambra State Investment, Promotion and Protection Agency(ANSIPPA) at the International Conference Center, Awka.
The summit, whose theme centered on Changing Gears: Accelerating Anambra’s Economic Transformation is geared towards turning Anambra from being a departure land to a destination hub.
Governor Soludo noted that the state is much more than ready for investment and the fundamentals are very strong.
“It’s an investment like no other, we are asking people to invest in Anambra not to do us a favour but in their own self interest.
It is not by accident that Anambra is rated no1 in the ease of doing business as we are presenting you with bankable projects that comes with value proposition”, he said.
Governor Soludo mentioned that the state has a 23 hectares of land where the new government house is being built and is 90 percent completion.
According to him, his administration is breaking the 33 year old jinx by giving ndi Anambra a befitting government house and governor’s lodge which would be completed in few weeks to come.
In the solid mineral sector, Governor Soludo stated that a kaolin processing plant is being built and that would be commissioned, together with others in the next few months. He encouraged other partners to come and invest to create room for prosperity and development, as he tackles the security sector of the state seriously.
The Managing Director of ANSIPPA, Dr Mark Okoye in his speech noted that this year’s theme speaks to the collective resolve that we share to shift Anambra’s dream to high gear, moving from potential to performance and from aspiration to action. He emphasised that changing gears requires not just a momentum but a strategic focus on the future despite the challenges we face.
Dr Okoye highlighted that Governor Soludo and his team has shown an unwavering dedication to transform Anambra into a place of opportunity to a destination for investment, while the goal is to make Anambra a beacon of sustainable growth and economic development. He said that it is our collective duty to focus on long term planning and creation of a few more, that will ensure the sustainable growth of our economy, one that guarantees prosperity and transformation.
According to him, the Soludo administration is leading the charge in ensuring that projects are not made conceptualised but are investment ready, assuring that the foundation Governor Soludo laid today would be fully and deeply appreciated in future when the positive impact of his work would be felt by generations unborn.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Vitalis Obi who represented the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria stated that the summit is a vital part of our national pursuit of transformative and inductive economic growth across our states and regions.
President Tinubu emphasised that Anambra State stands out with outstanding example on what is achievable when vision, strategy and collective actions align to attain developments and growths. He said that the state has a rich history as a commercial hub in the center of technology and innovation in Nigeria.
While commending Governor Soludo for conceptualising and developing several groundbreaking projects in Anambra State, President Tinubu agrees that through this investment summit, the state will reaffirm its commitment to becoming a driving force in Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Panel of discussions, Goodwill messages from Kenyan High Commission, UNDP, ADB, AFEX Bank, Fidelity Bank, Minister, Regional Development among others and Signing and Sealing of MoUs from different companies with the state government formed the high point of the event.
- Nsofor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *