Connect with us

Economy

Anambra At 34: Governor Soludo Awakens A Sleeping Giant

Published

on

Soludo

Anambra At 34: Governor Soludo Awakens A Sleeping Giant

Anambra at 34: Governor Soludo awakens a sleeping giant. Anambra state was created 34 years ago. The governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, in a media chat in Awka, to commemorate the anniversary, noted that “Anambra has always punched above its weight”, which points to a state destined for greatness.

Anambra can be likened to China, which was once seen by the world as a sleeping giant. When China was tagged as a sleeping giant, Napoleon Bonaparte said: “Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world!”

Some critics used to rile Anambra for not having a befitting government house since its creation. Today, Anambra has the best government house in Nigeria, named “Light House”, thanks to the visionary leadership of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, who built a one-stop shop for all executive actions.

Soludo deserves all the tributes for awakening the sleeping giant by working to turn the state from a departure lounge to a destination of choice. A pivotal strategic move of repositioning Anambra state undertaken by Soludo was renaming the Anambra Airport to Chinua Achebe International Airport.

Many people may not realise that the essence of Africa celebrated across the globe is the Igbo world depicted by Chinua Achebe in his classic 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart.

Thanks to Soludo’s vision, people from all over the world have the choice of flying to Anambra via Chinua Achebe International Airport.

As the standard-bearer of Anambra, Soludo stands on the shoulders of giants who gave Nigeria its pride of place under the sun. The founding father of Nigeria’s colonial struggle and the first President and C-in-C, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the acclaimed Zik of Africa, blazed a worthy trail that got enlivened over the years by other Anambra heroes such as Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Dr Alex Ekwueme, the Cardinals Francis Arinze and Peter Ebere Okpaleke, Chinua Achebe, Margaret Ekpo, Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Chimamanda Adichie, etc.

In 34 years of existence, Anambra showcases Soludo as the inimitable leader who is keeping the flag flying higher and higher. Yes, Anambra is rising under Soludo’s intentional and transformational leadership.

With Soludo in the saddle, Anambra is on a new pedestal in the march towards being the African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley. The potentials have shot up many gears. The state is now living up to her splendid history and title as “The Light of the Nation”.

Created on August 27, 1991, Anambra occupies a land area of 41,416 square kilometres and has a population of up to eight million. The state draws its name from the majestic Anambra (Omambala) River, a major tributary of the celebrated River Niger.

Anambra is home to all Nigerians, and the people of Anambra are well-travelled republicans who live in all parts of Nigeria, Africa and the whole wide world, making investments in Anambra amount to investing in the destiny of Nigeria and Africa.

Soludo’s drive to transform Anambra into one smart megacity state makes the homeland a veritable mecca for all well-meaning people. In this epoch of globalisation, the government has gone the extra mile to make all parts of Anambra investor-friendly.

Clearly delineated industrial layouts and estates have been mapped out to meet all authentic needs of prospective investors in the state’s Anambra Mixed-use Industrial City (AMIC).

Soludo insists that Anambra’s greatest gift lies in the human capital and the state’s future in tech and innovation. A ready pool of skilled manpower is available in every field of endeavour in Anambra. The people are globally well-respected for being intelligent, resourceful and hard-working.

The entrepreneurial endowment is first-class. The manpower base is supplied by many institutions of higher learning, notably Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka; Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe; College of Education (Technical), Umunze; Madonna University, Okija; Tansian University, Umunya; Paul University, Awka; Peter University, Achina-Onneh; Ekwenugo Okeke Polytechnic, Uli; the forthcoming Isuofia Nursing School; etc.

Anambra At 34

Anambra At 34

Anambra is well-located as the gateway to the south-east of Nigeria from the landmark Niger Bridge. The state is accessible by land, water and air, sharing boundaries with Delta to the west, Imo and Rivers to the south, Enugu to the east, and Benue and Kogi to the north.

The Solution Fun City is a modern-day Anambra wonder and one major step towards turning Awka into a leisure capital.

The Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC) project is a signature Free Trade Zone and industrial development initiative. It is incumbent on the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) to key in with Anambra to establish a comprehensive industrial city to accelerate economic growth and attract profound investment.

Governor Soludo is getting Anambra closer to that dream through the ready master plans for building Onitsha 2.0, Awka 2.0, the Marriott Hotel, Awka Park, the power project, the railway, and other multiform schemes in the transformation agenda of the Soludo Solution Government.

Let’s give the last words to Mr Governor: “Today, we celebrate not just in commemoration but in reflective re-dedication. We mark the 34th anniversary of the creation of our beloved Anambra: a divine project, Light of the Nation, a bright promise etched into the map of Nigeria on this day in 1991.

“Over these three decades, Anambra has consistently punched above its weight.

From the first military administrator, Navy Capt Joseph Abulu, to the last military administrator, Wing Cmdr Emmanuel Ukaegbu, and from the first civilian governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, to my immediate predecessor, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano, Anambra has continued on a trajectory of remarkable growth.

“Despite being one of the smallest states in Nigeria by landmass, we have produced some of the nation’s brightest minds, successful entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders. From our bustling commercial hubs to our academic institutions, from our innovative industries to our rich cultural heritage, Anambra has remained on the rise.”

Governor Soludo has awakened Anambra, the sleeping giant, and Nigeria and the world are already noticing, as the “Light of the Nation” takes her pride of place.

Law Mefor, PhD, is the Anambra state commissioner for information.

Crime

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

Published

on

By

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com

The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.

The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Oil

The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO

Navy Captain

Director Naval Information

Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com

Continue Reading

Economy

NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation

Published

on

By

NNPC

NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has unveiled a nationwide ₦66 fuel discount promotion for customers using the NNPC Fuel App.
Eereporter.com

In a post obtained from its X handle on Friday, the promotion, which runs from October 1 to 7, is being held across NNPC stations nationwide as part of activities marking the period.

“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!

“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!

The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.

NNPC said customers across the country have already begun participating in the promotion, with highlights from the first day showing activities at several stations.

“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.

NNPC

NNPC

NNPC also shared moments from the first day of the promotion and said more pictures and activities from stations across the country would be released.

The company urged customers not to miss the opportunity to participate before the promotion ends on October 7.

The ₦66 discount offer is available through the NNPC Fuel App during the stated promotional period.
Eereporter.com

Continue Reading

Economy

President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You

Published

on

By

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the efforts and performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country, stressing that it has justified the confidence reposed on it.
Eereporter.com

He gave this commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Awka, Anambra State at the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The President pointed out that there are evidential proofs of the success of the Commission in convictions, recoveries and other landmark achievements

Represented by Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tinubu noted that “supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is well founded. Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets and properties recovered”

He affirmed that the strides of the Commission are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

“When we came in three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration. Two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promotion of good governance. The anti-graft agency compliments this agenda as they are focused on accountability and transparency and appropriate deployment of resources”, he said.

At the commissioning, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede restated the commitment of the Commission to preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.

According to him, the Commission will continue its focus on making corrupt practices difficult by blocking avenues through which they may happen.

“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention. It will engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities. It will educate stakeholders, build relationships and mobilise the people to own the fight against all forms of corrupt practices in the zone”, he said

He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would not relent in the pursuit of its mandate, recalling the achievements of the Commission in the last 34 months and describing them as impressive progress.

“The pursuit of our mandate has been our dominant engagement and in the past few years, we have made impressive progress. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the Commission received 49, 673 petitions, investigated 39, 615 cases, filed 14, 476 cases in court and secured 10, 872 convictions. This gives a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 percent. In the first half of 2026 alone, we recorded 1, 370 convictions from 1, 889 filings. The Commission also recorded recoveries of N1, 233, 612, 040, 411. 11, $684, 478, 457. 32, £373, 905. 78, €9, 343, 803. 66 inn addition to recoveries in other currencies”, he said.

He noted that at the institutional level, the Commission has made radical reforms that have been yielding optimal results as there are consequential improvements in the agency’s processes and procedures, which partly explains the impacts the EFCC has made and will continue to make in all the matrices of law enforcement.

“Reforms that have strengthened the Commission during the period include new guidelines on arrest and bail, a review of sting operations, the establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, the Security Department, the Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre”, he said.

While charging Ndi Anambra on whistleblowing, the anti-graft czar said that the Commission has established channels through which members of the public can submit petitions and provide information. He noted that the Commission’s Eagle Eye App allows citizens to provide details of suspected wrongdoing and makes the provision of an informant’s personal details optional. “However, whistleblowing must be responsible and based on facts. It must not become an instrument for settling scores”, he said.

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

EFCC

He thereafter said that Anambra and Imo States deserve effective and responsive institutional presence as they are renowned for enterprise, innovation, commerce and an extraordinary culture of industry, adding that these legitimate activities must be protected from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud, diversion of public resources and other forms of economic and financial crimes. “Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion. It is about taking the mandate of the EFCC closer to the people and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect”, he said.

In their remarks, His Excellencies, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State and Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State said that they were pleased with the activities and management of the EFCC under the leadership of Olukoyede. They pledged their support to the Commission as it opened a new Zonal Directorate in their domain.

The commissioning of the new Directorate witnessed massive turn out of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, community leaders, students, media among others.
Eereporter.com

Continue Reading

Trending