President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, received a hero’s welcome in Awka today as he returned to Anambra State for a state visit and the commissioning of major development projects, just 30 months after first campaigning in the state as a presidential candidate.
In a vibrant speech delivered during the grand reception organized in his honour, President Tinubu hailed the government and people of Anambra for their “enterprise, innovation, and unwavering commitment to progress,” describing the state as a “beacon of commerce, intellect, and cultural strength” in Nigeria.
The President commissioned two major projects executed by the administration of Governor Charles Soludo — the Solution Fun City and the Government House Mini-City. He praised these as significant milestones in the realization of Soludo’s bold “Anambra as African-Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley” (ADTS) vision.
“From what I have seen and heard, it is evident that a solid foundation is being laid, and Anambra is indeed on the rise,” Tinubu declared. “Charles Soludo has been my friend since 2003, and I can confirm that we are working together for a better Anambra and a better Nigeria.”
The President likened Soludo’s ambitious plans for Anambra to his own experiences overcoming skepticism in transforming Lagos and supporting bold economic reforms as a former governor and now president. He commended Soludo’s legacy in banking reform and his current governance strides.
Turning to security, Tinubu applauded the Anambra State Government’s “proactive efforts in improving security” and promised continued partnership between the Federal Government and the state to protect lives and property.
He also responded to critical issues raised by the state, including:
Declaring a state of emergency on gully erosion in Anambra, which threatens one-third of the state’s landmass;
Inclusion of Anambra in the national gas masterplan and rail masterplan;
Reviving the long-abandoned Onitsha River Port through dredging of the River Niger;
Repairing and completing abandoned federal roads, including the crucial link to Kogi;
Reimbursing the N150 billion already spent by the state on federal roads over the past three years.
“These are important concerns,” Tinubu stated, “and I assure Ndi Anambra that this administration will continue to partner with your state to deliver shared prosperity.”
Reviewing national progress under his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President cited difficult but necessary reforms undertaken since assuming office, including the removal of unsustainable subsidies and a reset of the forex regime. “We are laying the foundation for a more stable, prosperous, and inclusive economy,” he said.
He announced that a new national minimum wage had been passed into law and praised Anambra for not only implementing it fully but exceeding it.
As part of the day’s events, President Tinubu was honoured with a new chieftaincy title jointly conferred by all the traditional rulers in Anambra State. Recalling a previous title bestowed upon him in 2005, Tinubu expressed deep appreciation and joked that he now qualified as a true son of the soil.
“A lot of my friends are from Anambra. Going forward, we are not just friends: I am now a bona fide son of the soil — one of you, your own son!” he declared, requesting Governor Soludo to consider finding him a plot for a future retirement home.
Tinubu concluded his remarks with a call for unity and patriotism, urging Nigerians to remain patient and committed to national development.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. We must make it great as the pride of the Black race.”
The President’s visit marks a significant moment in federal-state collaboration and reinforces Anambra’s growing importance in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
