By Emma Ogbuehi
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the November Anambra governorship election, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has vowed to make the state the manufacturing hub of Nigeria if elected.
Soludo, former governor of the central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made the declaration at the Aguata APGA stakeholders meeting hosted by Chief Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Okafor “Winco” (Okpala Anyanwu-Ora) and his wife, Chief Mercy Okafor in their country home, in Isuofia
Addressing the gathering, Soludo expressed gratitude to the host for inviting him to be part of the meeting. He counselled the audience on the need to take full advantage of the on-going INEC continuous voter registration exercise by registering in their various wards.
He urged them to be ready and vigilant, saying the opposition are boasting of coming to “take’ Anambra, insisting however that APGA will win the gubernatorial election in a legitimately free and fair contest
“The future of Anambra is on the ballot. Therefore you must be vigilant and ready to vote APGA for continuity” Soludo stated
He further told the gathering that he is coming with an agenda for the poor and vulnerable, adding that nobody should be limited in life by reason of circumstances of birth or environment.
He recounted as “Charlie Mwagbafor” (a nickname for his humble beginning), he rose against all odds to become a Professor at the age of 38 years stressing that such opportunity should be available to all
The former CBN Governor also gave some tips of his agenda for the people of the state which he said will be unveiled soon.
On youth empowerment, he said he will reverse the trend of youth migration from Anambra State to other States by deliberately creating an enabling environment that will create 1000 youth millionaires every year who will in turn create employment opportunities for others.
On infrastructural development, Soludo said Governor Willie Obiano has done exceptionally well in this regard. He cited the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, the 10,000 sitting capacity International Conference Centre and the Awka City Stadium as monumental edifices that he will build on to open up the state for unprecedented industrial growth
Speaking on the real sector of the State economy, Soludo said he will make Anambra the manufacturing hub in Nigeria. To make this a reality, he said, he will tackle the electricity issue that has bedeviled that sector headlong and create cluster of industries to boost employment for Ndi-Anambra.
He told the audience that he will lead by example as the Chief marketing officer of every product made in Anambra State. He assured the people that everything about his government will be localised within the state
“My government will deliberately and consciously promote products and goods made in Anambra state and everything the government will use will be localised” Soludo asserted
He observed that the textile industry alone can create thousands of job opportunities for the masses, saying this is the reason he has chosen to wear the Akwuete textile material to promote and boost the local textile industry
On natural disaster threatening the state, Soludo said there are about 900 erosion sites in the state which deserve immediate attention while the issue of flooding, especially in some riverine areas in the state will be tackled headlong.
On urban renewal, the APGA hopeful revealed that Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia will form the major axis of the urban renewal plan while adequate attention will be paid in rehabilitating the people in Okpoko
Soludo pledged that there would be full comprehensive planning for a clean and healthy environment within the markets and residential areas and across the entire landscape of the State
He stressed the importance of education, adding that it would be prioritised and ICT-driven for the younger generations of Ndi Anambra to remain competitive in the emerging digital world
On health, Soludo promised to upscale the medical facilities in the hospitals for the people to have access to affordable health system adding that hospitals and other health centres will equally be upgraded
Soludo again reminded the audience to gird their loins and remain active participants in their wards, saying that election are won at the wards and polling booths. He thanked the audience and the host for the opportunity given to him to speak to them
Other dignitaries present at the occasion include: Dr Vin Okpala, Commissioner for Health; Engr Emeka Enzewanne, Commissioner for Utilities, Hon Okey Okoye, Hon Chike Anyaonu, Hon Jude Emecheta, Hon Vitalis Okoloakor, Hon Titus Anigbodu (Igwummba Aguata); HRH Igwe Col C.A.O Muoghalu, Isu II N’Isuofia; HRM Engr Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, Ezejiofor 2nd N’Ekwulobia, ADS members and many others
