By Emeka Ozumba
Anambra State indigenes in the Diaspora have adopted the People’s Manifesto presented by the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the panacea for the development of the state into a modern society.
The endorsement was the consensus of opinion by participants from all walks of life and presented by a United Kingdom- based Architect, Dr. Michael Chukwujekwu who moderated a Zoom interactive session on October 17, 2021, tagged: Anambra Indigenes in the Diaspora – Question & Answer with Prof Cee Cee Soludo.
The engaging interaction which commenced at 9.30pm till early hours of Tuesday saw Prof Soludo in his element, breaking down his Manifesto in simple and measurable terms to the Anambra global audience in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong and others parts of the world. Soludo told the enraptured audience that he is motivated to push for the adoption of community- level-development- approach which will see the deployment of resources from the Local Government level upwards, since the top-bottom development is no longer working in Nigeria after sixty-one years. “If you can’t fix the world fix your home.”
Continuing, he reiterated his commitment to offering support to the Igbo and Igbo sons in time of need, stressing that the state of the Igbo man in Nigeria needs to be discussed under a political platform that gives them front-row seat which APGA provides and which only people with proven record of speaking for the Igbo can effectively represent.
Prof. Soludo said that all the agitations boil down to opportunities for the young men and women to be gainfully employed and to be free to move and conquer the world. He advocated for new politics, new leadership, and new agenda which can only be realized not through the barrel of the gun, but through dialogue. He stated that the governorship of Anambra requires a tested hand who is well-equipped to handle all the contending issues and be able to build a liveable and prosperous homeland akin to the strategy the Jews adopted in 1948 while building the state of Israel.
This he emphasized as being at the core of The People’s Manifesto.
He explained that the Manifesto is predicated on four distinct pillars: First, the Economic transformation of Anambra as the next technology and leisure hub. The second is Social agenda for education, youth, women and vulnerable groups. Third pillar, is governance, rule of law and value system; which will be public-sector- driven with new governance system and rule of law that discourages get rich-quick and unearned income etc.; while the fourth is the environment – clean, green, planned sustainable cities and markets.
He invited ndi Anambra in the diaspora to buy into his dream and visualize Anambra that is possible, assuring that he will build on the legacies of past leaders up to Governor Obiano whose landmark achievements would be consolidated and sustained. He branded himself the chief marketing officer of anything produced in Anambra beginning with official vehicles, and gave example of his textile Akwete cloth which has become his signature dress in the ongoing campaign, stressing that research and development will be encouraged, with a 200acre industrial park supported with adequate, regular power supply sustained by abundant gas which is available in the state.
Soludo promised to stick to quality, adopt rapid response approach to road maintenance as well as build new ones within the limit of available resources. He espoused plans to make Anambra a digital state by expanding the 820 kilometers of broadband cables from the highways into rural schools and institutions as well as pursue to institutionalize the Anambra Standard as a global brand. He assured the participants: “You are not just a team we work with to get power; you are a team that we can work with in governing. Above all, he left the participants with a poser to remember and remind them of the call to duty for the homeland: “What have I done today to make Anambra prosperous?”
In his remark, former National Chairman of APGA, Sen. Sir, Victor Umeh, commended the Anambra in the diaspora for their commitment to ensuring that the future of their state and homeland is in good hands by supporting Prof Soludo for governor. Chief Umeh however told a participant from Hongkong who said that he had no interest in APGA, but would vote Soludo no matter the party he belongs, why he needs to support APGA. He reinforced the fact that APGA is the only platform which gives Igbos front-row seat and urged them to carry the message directly to the constituents at home and ensure that they understand the importance of voting massively for APGA and Soludo in the elections.
Earlier, the session was kick started with a brief, but riveting speech by former Mayor of London Borough of Brent, and Director General Diaspora Campaign and Outreach Affairs, Cllr Ernest Ezeajughi who called on ndi Anambra in the diaspora to make the call for votes to elect Prof Soludo on November 6, 2021, irrespective of party affiliation because his plans for security of lives and property, infrastructure upgrade and food sustainability in Anambra is second to non among the contenders in the election.
The two term-Mayor who actively supported the NGO, of the wife of the Governor, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) during his tenure, acknowledged the giant strides of the Governor Willie Obiano administration in various sectors and singled out the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport Umueri for commendation, stressing that Soludo is poised to consolidate on the achievements and put the state on the part to prosperity.
The question and answer session which cut across roads, migration, social values, security, and education elicited robust discussion and answers with insights on new strategies and approach expected under the leadership of Prof Soludo after the election.
In his Vote of thanks, Deputy Director General Diaspora Campaign and Outreach Affairs, ‘Mayor of Atlanta,’ Prince Neville Uchendu, thanked Prof Soludo for making the interaction lively and enlightening for the participants and promised that they will rise to the occasion and mobilize support for his success at the polls. He also commended Sen Victor Umeh for enriching the discussion as well as participants from across the globe for making the session a success.
Ozumba wrote from Awka