By Chris Chikelue
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has warmly welcomed Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the state, declaring that she should regard Anambra as her home.
Soludo made the declaration on Sept. 10 at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, during the grand finale of the First Lady’s maiden official visit to Anambra.
“This is your home,” the governor told Senator Tinubu, as he welcomed her to the state and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s partnership with Anambra.
Describing the First Lady as “a loving mother, supportive wife and a soul that cares for humanity,” Soludo said her visit was an opportunity to celebrate initiatives focused on improving the welfare and economic wellbeing of Nigerians.
“Today is not for politics; I just got up to say a big welcome to all of you,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed Anambra’s commitment to translating Federal Government reforms and interventions into tangible benefits for people at the grassroots.
“We are working hard to cascade federal reforms down to the grassroots. I see hope with the renewed hope agenda. The future is bright. The next four years will see a stronger Nigeria,” he said.
Soludo further described the cooperation between the federal and state governments as a productive partnership, saying, “Progressives are working together. It is a partnership that works.”
The first lady’s visit featured a series of engagements across the state, including the inauguration of the national community food bank for the southeast geopolitical zone and the commissioning of an ICT experience centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
The visit culminated in an empowerment programme at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, where 5,000 people received support, with each beneficiary receiving ₦100,000 as business capital.
The first lady thanked Governor Soludo and his wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for the initiative and assured the people of Anambra of another visit.
“I will be back,” she said.
Dr. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Governor, described Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a highly impactful first lady with a notable record of empowerment and humanitarian intervention.
Senator Tinubu spoke warmly about her longstanding relationship with Ndi Igbo, recalling that some of her best friends during her secondary school and university years were Igbo.
Adding a traditional dimension to the visit, the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, led by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chidiume Iweka, honoured Senator Tinubu with the chieftaincy title “Ugoeze Anambra.”
The first lady had earlier been received at the Chinua Achebe International Airport by Governor Soludo and his wife.
She was accompanied by the First Ladies of Imo, Abia and Kwara States Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, Mrs. Chidimma Otti and Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq.
Also on the delegation were the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard Doro; Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono; and wives of members of the Federal Executive Council.
The visit also witnessed a goodwill gesture from business owners previously empowered through the first lady’s initiatives in Anambra, who made donations towards her humanitarian programmes.
For Senator Tinubu, the visit was more than an official engagement. For Anambra, it was an opportunity to strengthen cooperation around food security, empowerment, humanitarian support and access to opportunities for citizens.
Chris Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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