• APGA backs President for second term
• President promises secured, erosion-free Southeast
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted the economic gains of his almost two-year administration yesterday.
He spoke in Awka, the Anambra State capital, where he was guest of Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the commencement of a two-day visit.
He identified what he described as economic monsters that held the country by the jugular before he came into office.
He said the country was grappling with:
• Near-insolvent public finances;
• Chaotic foreign exchange systems and
• Unsustainable multiple subsidies.
“But like we tamed the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, we have also begun to wrestle down these monsters,” he said.
The President, during his tenure as governor of Lagos, created the Atlantic City off the ocean, a policy that terminated the flooding of the beachfront on Victoria Island.
“Though the reforms are tough, they are necessary. We are beginning to see renewed hope, from increased agricultural productivity to a surge in small business activity, especially in tech and manufacturing sectors in which Anambra already excels.
“We must work together. We must be committed. We must lay a solid foundation for an inclusive economy, small businesses are coming back, and Anambra is already excelling.
“We have to invest in our future. I’ve always said it and I will continue to say it, though our tribal tongues may differ, we are one family. We only stay in different rooms.”
He added that the effects of forex reforms, fiscal reengineering and tax restructuring efforts were already attracting investors’ confidence and expanding economic opportunities across the country.
The President spoke in front of dignitaries, including Chief Emeka Anyaoku and traditional rulers, who conferred on him a joint traditional title: Dikesimba Anambra (strong man from another land), after inaugurating some projects undertaken by the three-year-old Soludo administration.
There were also governors, including Sheriff Francis Oborevwori (Delta), whom he described as an “earth mover”, in reference to the uprooting of the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
On the Dikesimba title conferred on him by royal fathers, led by the chairman of the traditional rulers in the state, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, the President described it as historic.
He said: “I feel honoured by the chieftaincy title. It is historic and I will treasure it to the end of my life. Give me a piece of land to build for my retirement. I need a permanent abode and not a temporary home.”
Among the projects inaugurated are: New Government House, Awka Fun City; Ekwueme Boulevard and the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), among others.
Responding to Soludo’s request for the rehabilitation of the Anambra-Kogi-Abuja Road to ease travel burden from nine to two hours, President Tinubu said: “I agree with you while assuring that the government would look into it, including the other requests.”
Inaugurating the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies in Anambra, the President lauded the legacies of the 92-year-old diplomat.
He hailed Anyaoku for his contributions to good governance, democracy and world peace, describing him as a “great Nigerian and a patriotic man with commitment to values and nation building”.
According to him, Anyaoku should be commended for promoting democracy, good governance and world peace in the course of his service.
He said: “We must invest in education as it is the greatest weapon against poverty. We are doing so, believing we have leaders like Emeka Anyaoku.
“Here is a man who helped tremendously to bring about constitutional democracy, freedom and stability.
“His patriotism is boundless. His commitment to values and nation-building is invaluable. I’m glad he is alive.
“I’m glad my friend, Governor Charles Soludo, his team, and many of you are here to honour him, immortalise him and ensure he remains a fulcrum of our learning and intellectual development and diplomacy.”
The President urged the management of the institution to ensure adequate maintenance of the building and its facilities.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to advancing the education sector, saying that significant resources had consistently been allocated, especially toward tertiary education.
“Let me divert attention to the Governing Council and Management of the university.
“In recent times, we have had cause to intervene in the affairs of this university and a few others, to arrest what could be described as administrative rascalities.
“My government is committing lots of resources to the education sector and shall not allow wrong use of autonomy to derail us.”
Soludo’s request
The governor appealed to the Federal Government for support to develop the state and the Southeast.
Soludo announced that it had been the tradition of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to support the government at the center as well as the political party.
He, therefore, endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office, saying that APGA, being the first progressive political party in Nigeria, shared the same progressive ideology with other progressive parties, such as the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Soludo said: “Our support for President Tinubu is rooted in the history on the principles of progressivism and progressive ideology.
“In 2011, the APGA supported the party that owned the government at the centre. This has continued to date, and I wish to announce that it has not changed.
“In the spirit of Awoism and Michael Okpara, we share the same vision of true federalism, which you, Mr. President, fought for at a very high cost. We, as a party, announce that we shall continue to support the party at the centre.
“Your visit to Anambra 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 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 the monument of heroes—as symbols 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’!”
The governor’s request for the extension of the Gas and Rail Master Plans to Anambra got President Tinubu’s attention as he promised to look into it.
The President also promised to partner with the Southeast on security and with the state on how to use ecological funds to remedy the devastation of gully erosion across the state.
In his goodwill message, Anyaoku noted: “Governing a pluralist and complex state, such as Nigeria, needs strength and courage. We will continue to pray for you to address the pluralistic status of our country.
“I have confidence that your administration will address the insecurity and economic challenges of our country.”
The elder statesman endorsed Soludo for a second term, insisting that the governor should come back to complete the good work he had started in the state.
NAU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu expressed gratitude for the President’s visit to the university, praising him for his intervention in what he described as ‘Administrative rascality’ in 2024.
He also expressed gratitude at the decision to establish the world-class institute within the institution.
Ikechebelu said: “This facility is built by contributions from friends of Anyaoku to immortalise and internalise his diplomatic activities.
“We will ensure the efficient operation of the institute to achieve its primary goal of equipping prospective students with globally recognised principles of peace and conflict resolution.”
The Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy was established to offer degree and certificate programmes in International Relations, Diplomacy, and Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Ohanaeze’s wish-list
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation – Ohanaeze Ndigbo – acknowledged that the President has done well for the people of the zone, but like Oliver Twist, asked for more federal presence.
President-General, Senator Azuka Mbata, who was represented by the Secretary-General and former Anambra Deputy Governor Chief Emeka Sibeudu, commended the President for the Second Niger Bridge link roads recently awarded, the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) and some other projects being executed in the zone, but requested for more.
Ohanaeze told the President that the Southeast needs a secure environment and expressed the region’s wish for Soludo to continue in office.
The governors at the event were Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Alex Otti (Abia), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Ebonyi Deputy Governor Mrs. Priscilla Obilla, who stood in for Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Others in attendance included House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh, Works Minister Dave Umahi, former Aviation Minister Mrs. Stella Oduah, former Women Affairs Ministers Mrs. Uju Ohanenye and Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, Senator Ben Obi, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwobu, among other dignitaries.
