By Ezumezu Nonyelum
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has placed poverty eradication at the center of his “Liveable and Prosperous Homeland” agenda for Anambra State. The former CBN Governor is deploying policy interventions targeted at raising household income, creating jobs, and boosting productivity.
His administration is prioritizing the 106km Anambra Ring Road, new flyovers in Awka and Onitsha, and extensive erosion-control works. The goal is to connect all 21 LGAs, reduce transport costs and losses, and make every community investable.
Governor Soludo’s administration through the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” program, has trained, certified, and funded over 5,000 Anambra youths in trades ranging from ICT and welding to fashion design and agro-processing. The initiative is designed to equip young people with marketable skills and startup capital.
More so, Anambra is rolling out “farm-to-market” clusters supported by rural road rehabilitation, irrigation upgrades, and value-chain development for rice, cassava, palm oil, fish, and poultry. The plan is to reduce post-harvest losses and raise farmers’ incomes.
Since 2023, the Soludo’s government has declared free education from primary to senior secondary school in public schools to break the cycle of poverty in low-income households. In the health sector, it has introduced free antenatal services for pregnant women.
On industrialization, the government established the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency and is developing model industrial parks to attract private investment and manufacturing.
Governor Soludo describes security as “the enabler of prosperity.” Through Operation ‘Udo Ga-Achi’ and strengthened community vigilante groups, the administration is combating sit-at-home disruptions, kidnapping, and market extortion to create a safe environment for business.
Ezumezu Nonyelum is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
