Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has made it clear that his priority is improving governance rather than competing with anyone. He stated this on Sunday during a thanksgiving mass held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka to celebrate his three years in office.
During the event, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, commended Soludo’s leadership and the progress made in Anambra. He urged the governor to focus on continuity and development rather than comparisons with others. Kukah also encouraged Anambra residents to support Soludo’s vision for a better and more prosperous state.
“Governance is not about competition, but about consolidation,” Kukah said, noting that past governors had all played important roles in the state’s progress in different ways.
In response, Soludo assured that his administration is committed to building on the achievements of his predecessors.
“My Lord Bishop, we are not in competition with anyone. What we are doing is to improve on what the past governors have done, not to compete with them,” he said.
The governor also spoke about his administration’s efforts in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, and security. He noted that Anambra is working towards a globally competitive standard, referencing economic models like the Dubai-Taiwan transformation.
Soludo pointed to initiatives such as the employment of over 8,000 teachers, explaining that this move was not about surpassing previous administrations but aligning Anambra’s education system with global advancements.
“We are contesting against the revolution going around the world. When we employed over 3,000 teachers, it was not to compete against our past, but to compete with the revolution going on globally,” he said. “Anambra has all it takes to achieve the Taiwan-Dubai dream.”
On infrastructure, Soludo noted that his government had improved road networks, making previously hard-to-reach areas like Amansea and Ufuma accessible within 30 minutes.
He also revealed that his administration had spent only 65 percent of what previous governments spent within the same period, ensuring that resources are managed efficiently.
In the health sector, he noted that over 102,000 women, including many from neighboring states, had benefited from free ante-natal and delivery services.
Addressing security concerns, Soludo stressed that his government is tackling insecurity by addressing its root causes and working to rid Anambra of criminal elements.
“We are taking the latest fight against insecurity by tackling it from the root,” he noted. “Anambra is known for its enterprise spirit, and that is where we are headed. If you know any criminal anywhere, just whisper to us, and we will come and pick them.”
