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Tag: Soludo

  • See why Gov Soludo removes Obi of Onitsha as Chairman Anambra Traditional Council

    See why Gov Soludo removes Obi of Onitsha as Chairman Anambra Traditional Council

    Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has removed the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe as the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers

    The decision was taken at a meeting of the council held at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The meeting was attended by 120 out of the 172 recognised traditional rulers in the state.

    The governor accused Igwe Achebe of disrespecting his authority and undermining the peace and stability of the state. Igwe Achebe had earlier written an open letter to the governor, criticising him for suspending some traditional rulers who conferred chieftaincy titles on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah without due process.

    Igwe Achebe claimed that the governor did not consult him or the council before taking such actions. He also alleged that the governor was interfering in the affairs of the traditional institution and violating the code of conduct for traditional rulers. The governor denied these allegations and said that he was acting within the law and in the best interest of the state. He said that Igwe Achebe had failed to perform his duties as the chairman of the council and had lost the confidence and respect of his colleagues. He announced that a new chairman would be elected by the council within 30 days.

  • Suspension of Igwe Neni: Soludo deserves commendation, not condemnation

    Suspension of Igwe Neni: Soludo deserves commendation, not condemnation

    By Paul Nwosu

    A number of unreasonable reactions have trailed the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State, by the Government of Anambra State, through a notice of suspension letter, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Hon, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, on Monday, January 8.

    The letter clearly cited the Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra State (issued by the traditional rulers) which provides that no traditional ruler can confer chieftaincy title on anyone outside his domain (his community) without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community and the directive issued by the state government through the Ministry that no such chieftaincy title should be conferred by a traditional ruler on a recipient outside his town/community without obtaining clearance from the Ministry, which the Neni Traditional Ruler flouted.

    Even in the face of this glaringly established case of infringement of the law, some blind communicators in social media are still politicking with it, yet accusing Governor Solud of playing dirty politics.

    What is dirty politics in sanctioning a traditional ruler who wilfully and brazenly flouted not only the government’s guidelines but the Code of Conduct issued by traditional rulers themselves? Again, what is the essence of making laws or guidelines if it cannot be enforced?

    It is very clear that the traditional ruler in question was careless and tactless in his action by conferring the controversial chieftaincy title few days after government warned those who had earlier done that. It has nothing to do with politics but the rule of law and due process. He simply dared the government and government has demonstrated that it’s a serious minded government.

    It’s high time we left emotions and call a spade a spade in this state.

    No serious government will abnegate his responsibilities because of one’s selfish interest no matter how highly placed. This, of course, should serve as a warning to all traditional rulers and others who think that they are untouchable and above the law.

    Those asking why Governor Soludo is the one to excavate this law since others before him didn’t do it should be reminded that the immediate past administration suspended 12 traditional rulers because they traveled to Abuja without official permission. Moreso, the fact that other governors didn’t do it does not make it right. This is part of the disruptive change that the Soludo administration promised Ndi Anambra and he should be commended for taking such a bold step and not condemned.

    SIR PAUL NWOSU
    Commissioner for Information,
    Anambra State

  • Soludo approves PISE-P, describes Kalu as worthy son of Igboland

    Soludo approves PISE-P, describes Kalu as worthy son of Igboland

    …says he’s passionate about Nigeria’s devt

    …as Deputy Speaker condoles Gov over father’s death

    Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has endorsed the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) which canvasses for a non kinetic means of resolving the security challenges in the region.

    Soludo who lauded the project championed by the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu described the top federal lawmaker as a worthy son of Ndi Igbo.

    A statement by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu stated that the governor spoke on Saturday when the deputy speaker led the promoters of the peace initiative to pay the governor a condolence visit over the death of his father, Pa Simeon Soludo in Isuofia, Anambra State.

    The Governor also said that Kalu was passionate about the development of Igboland and Nigeria in general, stressing that he contributions were well noted.

    He said: “Your Excellency, you are welcome to Isuofia. Thanks for coming to be with us. Indeed, you are a true son of Igbo land. You are so passionate about the development of Igbo land and Nigeria at large. You are our worthy son and we note that. We are proud of you.

    “I have heard all that you said about the budget and the PISE-P and unity in Igbo land. I say amen to all. Anambra to Bende in Abia is not all that far so to speak. We will look at all that you have said. Please, send my regards to the speaker. From what we are hearing, you both are doing well. Thanks for coming”.

    Earlier, the deputy speaker, Kalu in his remarks said led the PISE-P delegation to pay their condolences and to invite the governor to the unveiling of the new peace initiative in Bende on December 29.

    He emphasized that the new peace project will dissuade the militarization of the south east while ultimately restoring peace to the region.

    Kalu also lauded Governor Soludo for giant strides in Anambra Esperance in the security sector.

    “Not too long ago, I accompanied the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashm Shettima to Anambra. We came see inspect a factory built by Sir Emeka Offor who is working hard for Nd Igbo. Vice President and I agreed that the local content aspects of the factory shall be accorded the priority it deserves even in the energy sector. We also used the opportunity to see the ecological problems. Anambra is the headquarters of ecological problems in the whole world. We will not leave the challenge of developing Igboland for one person. If Anambra is developed, Igbo land is secure. We shall continue to strive, put all our efforts to develop Anambra and by extension, Igbo land. That’s why we came to identify with him and to assure him that he also has the support of the members of the National Assembly. Wherever he wants us to give our support, we will. Even now the budget is in the works, we are talking to see where we can come in.

    “We also send our condolences to him on the passing of our father, late Pa Simeon Soludo. Yes, every death is painful but this is to an extent a celebration of life. Our prayer is to live long and be fulfilled in life like him. May God accept the soul of the departed and also be with you all.

    “Let me also use this opportunity to say that we shall gather in Bende on December 29, 2023 to unveil what we call Peace in South East (PISE-P) so that we can pronounce and end to violence, militarization, guns and all that. Let’s adopt a non kinetic means of resolving our challenges.

    “We also used this opportunity to formally invite His Excellency, Governor Soludo to the unveiling because he’s very important to the event. The Governor will also receive an award for peace. He has also restored peace in Anambra. I have said it privately and I want to reiterate it publicly that insecurity in Anambra State is dropping because a man with the solution is working”, Kalu said.

    Signed:

    Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Soludo presents N410bn 2024 budget for Anambra

    Soludo presents N410bn 2024 budget for Anambra

    Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra on Tuesday presented N410 billion 2024 budget to the state House of Assembly for approval.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Soludo said the budget tagged- ‘Changing Gears: the transformation agenda begins’, was aimed at beginning the transformation agenda and implementing a new master to build a liveable and prosperous homeland.

    He said that the budget was made up of N313.9 billion capital expenditure, representing 77 per cent and N 96.2 billion recurrent expenditure, representing 23.46 per cent.

    The governor said that the budget had a deficit of N120 billion expected to be funded through a facility from financial institutions.

    “We recorded an estimated 66 per cent budget performance in 2023 and today Anambra is ranked number one among the 17 southern state on ease of doing business and number two with lowest impact mortality rate.

    “Internally Generated Revenue remains a fundamental challenge. In the 2023 budget, we expected a monthly revenue of about N4 billion, so far, we are averaging N2billion.

    “We are projecting N4.2 billion as monthly IGR in the 2024 budget and this is a wake-up call to all residents that we cannot build a liveable and prosperous homeland if we do not pay tax.

    “With the 2024 proposed budget, we hope to consolidate on ongoing projects. Our teachers, students, poor and vulnerable will smile because we are determined to maximise value for the people of Anambra,” he said.

    Receiving the budget, the Speaker of the House, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, appreciated the governor for the massive transformation projects in the state.

    Udeze assured that the budget would receive expeditious consideration.

    The difference between the 2023 budget (N260 billion) and that of 2024 (N410 billion) is N150 billion, reflecting a 57.8 per cent increase.

  • Soludo renames Anambra Cargo Airport after Chinua Achebe

    Soludo renames Anambra Cargo Airport after Chinua Achebe

    Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, has renamed the state’s International Passenger and Cargo Airport after late Chinua Achebe, a novelist, to immortalise him for making an indelible mark on the history of human civilisation.

    Achebe a native of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Soludo said this on Sunday in Awka at the Independence Day parade, to mark Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary, describing Achebe as an example of Africa’s unsung hero.

    “Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, gave the African literature an identity and a voice and he rightly reconstructed and refined the identify of the people,” he said.

    The governor said that Achebe was not just an Anambra hero nor a Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero and yet largely unsung at home.

    He said that henceforth, the state shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating its largely unsung heroes as motivation to children and youths.

    “Unfortunately, some people wrongly think of legacies in terms of brick and mortar. Legacy is about impact on human life and human civilisation.

    “Achebe was not a president or governor or military. He did not build bridges or roads or airports but he will outlive most presidents, governors and ministers in our minds.

    “Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour him.

    “After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.

    “Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.

    “Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status,” he said.
    Soludo urged Nigerians to be intentional about making the project Nigeria work and believe in the potential greatness of the country.

    “We have muddled through the past 63 years with squandered opportunities and yet with the promise of potential greatness

    “No country or nation is a perfect. Every nation continues to struggle in its match to a more perfect union. The path to stability, growth and sustainability will be challenging as there are no quick fixes.

    “But all of us must collectively think and work Nigeria out of the current challenges. We have no other country but Nigeria, and we must make it to work for everyone, “he said.

    The governor said his administration was founded on the true progressive agenda and would continue to create the enabling environment for residents to thrive and survive.

    The police, paramilitary organisations and students from different schools took part in the parade.

    NAN

  • After Ejikeme’s saga, Soludo awards scholarship to student with highest UTME score

    After Ejikeme’s saga, Soludo awards scholarship to student with highest UTME score

    Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has offered scholarship to Miss Nkechinyere Umeh who emerged best performing candidate in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Christian Aburime, Soludo’s Press Secretary on Tuesday.

    Umeh scored 360 out of 400.

    Soludo congratulated the remarkable student on making the state proud with her exceptional performance.

    “The governor has announced a well-deserved scholarship for her to study any course of her choice at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

    “The scholarship will not only serve as a token of the state government’s appreciation for her hard work but also provide her with the opportunity to pursue her dreams and contribute to the development of the state in the future,” it said.

    Soludo wished Umeh continued success in her future academic pursuits, and encouraged other young Anambra students all over to be inspired by Umeh’s outstanding performance.

    He said they should take advantage of the improved conducive learning environment in the State and strive for excellence at all times.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalled that a panel set up by the governor indicted Mmesoma Ejikeme for forging her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result.

  • UTME saga: Gov Soludo orders immediate psychological counselling for Mmesoma

    UTME saga: Gov Soludo orders immediate psychological counselling for Mmesoma

    Anambra Governor has ordered that Mmesomma Joy Ejikeme, the female student who faked her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) be handed over to the State Guidance Counselor and Professor of Clinical Psychology.

    Soludo, in a letter to Principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi where Mmesoma is a student, further directed immediate commencement of psychological counseling and therapy session for Mmesomma, who on Thursday, July 6, 2023 admitted she manipulated the fake results she had been parading.

    In the letter signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the governor said the directive followed one of the recommendations of the panel constituted to investigate the matter.

    “The directive is in line with one of the recommendations of the Committee set up by Anambra State Government to investigate the matter, following the parading of the fake results which elicited interests and generated controversy and misgivings the general public,” the statement added.

  • 38-year-old emerges as APGA national chairman

    38-year-old emerges as APGA national chairman

    Thirty-Eight-year-old, Mr Sylvester Ezeokenwa emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday in Awka.

    Ezeokenwa was elected at the party’s national convention to succeed Chief Victor Oye.

    Delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT attended the convention which saw 31 executive members emerge through affirmation.

    Before dissolving the old Executive Committee of the party, the former national chairman gave account of his stewardship and said he left N300 million in the party’s bank account.

    He said that he faced more than 200 court cases while in office as national chairman, but came out victorious in all.

    Oye said he completed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja and a five-storey zonal office in Awka.

    “This is despite the fact that I inherited less than N40 million from my predecessor,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Anambra’s Gov. Charles Soludo said it was his first national convention and thanked the party for a peaceful exercise and for sponsoring him in a successful governorship election.

    He commended Oye for giving the party focused leadership for eight years.

    He also commended Oye for effective management of the party’s resources saying that no political party had left that quantum of money in its purse with all the structures put in place.

    “I am extremely thrilled that the past executives of APGA got stronger and Oye has written his name in gold. You served APGA and left it better than you met it,’’ he said.

    Soludo also commended INEC for a successful conduct of the 2023 general elections and wondered why people were repudiating the outcomes.

    He said the elections produced members of the National Assembly and states’ Houses of Assembly members and wondered why even those who benefitted from the elections were criticising the exercise.

    The convention also nominated and ratified new members of Board of Trustees led by former governor of Anambra, Chief Willie Obiano.

    Among members are Oye and former deputy governors – Emeka Sibeudu and Dame Virgy Etiaba; wife of eternal leader of the party Mrs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe.

    In his speech, the new national chairman said he was glad for the confidence reposed in him by the party.

    “Today, I am the youngest national chairman of any political party in Nigeria and posterity stares at the new executives in the face as they lead all progressives in the country,’’ he said.

    Ezeokenwa was sworn in alongside newly-elected national officers of APGA in the presence of Gov. Soludo.

  • El-Rufai, Soludo, Sanusi insist on fuel subsidy removal

    El-Rufai, Soludo, Sanusi insist on fuel subsidy removal

    The Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his Anambra counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo, have urged the Federal Government to end the fuel subsidy regime which has negatively affected Nigeria’s economy.

    The governors made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a panel session at the policy conversation on “How Nigeria Can Build a Post-Oil Economic Future”.

    The symposium was jointly hosted by Agora Policy, a Nigerian Think Tank and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

    It also featured the presentation of a recently published book titled “Economic Diversification in Nigeria: The Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy”– selected as one of the Best Books of 2022 by the Financial Times.

    The book was authored by Dr Zainab Usman, a senior fellow and Director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C.

    Speaking, El-Rufai emphasised on the need to end the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as fuel and to be pragmatic about solution to the problems instead of delay.

    He recalled that in 2021, the National Economic Council (NEC) gave a committee he chaired an assignment to work out a framework on what to do with the resources if subsidy was removed including how much to be raised.

    He listed the components of its recommendation to include framework on investments in security, social protection, infrastructure on health and education among others.

    “We worked with experts and World Bank and came out with a report on what to do with the resources which would be transperently explained to Nigerians.

    “In 2021 the Federal Government‘s budget for road was N200 billion and in 2021 we were projecting to spend N1.2 trillion on subsidy and we saw the danger and I called for its removal.

    “We have a framework and the economic council agreed for it to be withdrawn because we had a clear plan on where the money should go which includes federal, state and local government for interventions.

    “Still it is on and currently we are looking at N6 trillion on subsidy but go and check the national budget on infrastructure on health and education, it is not up to that and does not make any sense, so we need to end the subsidy,” he advised

    Soludo on his part also called for a transformational leadership and agenda adding that the new dispensation had a chance for a fresh start.

    “It has to start by getting the team assembled and getting to work immediately with institutional reforms and competitive system.

    According to him, it will be necessary if we begin to mainstream case studies and utilise lessons from those case studies that worked before by replicating them.

    The governor said that productive policies to achieve speed and sustainability prosperity for institutional reforms and change were the key.

    Also speaking, former Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was a special guest, underscored the need to prepare the minds of Nigerians on bad decisions that have bankrupted the country and close that hole.

    Sanusi said in order to get it right, the incoming government should place competent officials in suitable positions.

    “We are going to have a government sworn in May 29 and I think we have to start stating what is expected of that government.

    “What do we, as Nigerians, classify as a milestone that shows we are heading to the right direction.

    “We also need a government that understands the depth of the crises that we are. We all have a responsibility of conveying the implications of the policies that we recommend.

    “We need to go back to that situation where politicians respect the independence, integrity and autonomy of these institutions and where these institutions are held accountable by the law setting them up to perform duties,” he said.

    Speaking, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Founder, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and Chairman, Coronation Capital,  explained that the fuel subsidy was not grounded on thinking rather it was purely political.

    According to him, refining crude oil and producing refined petroleum products in Nigeria would actually drop the prices of petroleum.

    He further explained that fiscal consideration, debt restructuring and massive private structure investment should be considered by the incoming government for economic growth.

    The participants, who lamented on fuel subsidy removal, called for effective utilisation of resources after its removal in new dispensation.

  • Anambra establishes bureau of missing persons

    Anambra establishes bureau of missing persons

    The Anambra state government has approved the establishment of a bureau of missing persons.

    Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information in a statement on Saturday said the approval was made at the State Executive Council meeting.

    He said that the bureau would be domiciled in the ministry of Justice.

    He said the establishment of the bureau was part of the fulfillment of the recommendation by the Truth, Justice and Peace Commission.

    The Commission, which had Prof. Chidi Odinkalu as chairman, Bianca Ojukwu as Secretary and Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje the Commissioner of Justice as members submitted its report to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on Feb. 17.

    The Commissioner said part of the mandate of the Bureau was to trace cases of missing persons and come up with the needed database to support Police investigations and eventual prosecution of suspects.

    The committee, inaugurated by Soludo in June 23, 2022, followed agitations that led to killings and destructions of property in the state and the south-east region.

    The purpose of the committee is to seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, and for the healing of the victims of the violence.

    It was to account for the responsibility and accountability of the actors, conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators.

    It was also to handle victims restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation to allow restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the state.