Chukwuma Charles SOLUDO, CFR @CCSoludo

It was a great honour to join TEDxEnugu yesterday at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, themed "Transcend Beyond Borders." I spoke on what is close to my heart — "Transcend Beyond Borders: The Next Chapter in the Igbo Story." Ndi Igbo, we need to have an honest conversation with ourselves. We are a truly itinerant, enterprising people. Over half of us live, invest, and thrive outside Ala Igbo. Our individual achievements in business, innovation, and enterprise across the world are unprecedented. But let us ask ourselves: while we are building everywhere, who will build home? We have conquered the world individually, but we have a collective void at home. Personal wealth alone does not build a sustainable homeland. True power and lasting legacy come from unity, strategic organization, and collective purpose. My message was simple: 1. We must build a resilient, modern Igbo identity that can compete in a global, talent-driven economy. 2. Our youth must choose hard work, skills, and continuous learning. The future belongs to high-value innovation, enterprise, and technology — not to unproductive rhetoric or social vices. 3. We must reclaim and rebuild our homeland. We must move beyond historical grievances and embrace pragmatic engagement, economic diplomacy, and long-term planning. I told our young people: see public service as the highest form of philanthropy — where your private success becomes a tool for public good. The next chapter of the Igbo story will not be written by lamentation, but by intentional action. Let us bring our collective capital, knowledge, and energy back home to build a prosperous, livable and secure Southeast that our children will be proud of. May Anambra continue to win, May Ala Igbo continue to rise.

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Today at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, we held the Eck Memorial Service in honour of our own, Lieutenant General Dr. Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor (Rtd) — a distinguished son of Awka, a global statesman, and a fine officer who crisscrossed the world keeping peace. General Obiakor (1951 - 2025) was Anambra’s invaluable export to Nigeria and to the world. But as I told the family and Ndi Awka today, the true measure of a man is what his own people say about him at home. And his community testified loudly — he was a good man. His life also reminds us of something important. Many of our youths today hesitate to join the Armed Forces. But communities like Awka continue to answer the call because men like Obiakor showed that service can be honourable, exemplary and impactful. We celebrate a life well lived — a life of discipline, peacebuilding, and humanity. On behalf of the Government and people of Anambra State, I commiserate with the Obiakor family, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and all who mourn him. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Yesterday, I met with critical stakeholders from both sides of the Aguleri - Umuoba Anam crisis. I thank everyone who honoured the invitation and made frank submissions, including stakeholders of neighbouring communities of both Umueri and the extended Anam clan. I am deeply pained by the loss of innocent lives, including that of a minor. The destruction of property and the desecration of our traditional institution, the Idigo Palace, is an affront to everything we hold sacred as Ndi Anambra. It is unacceptable. Let me be very clear: No community has the right to take lives or resort to self-help. Government will not tolerate any further breakdown of law and order in that area. After extensive deliberations, we have resolved as follows: 1. Immediate Ceasefire: Both parties have agreed to an immediate and total cessation of all hostilities. 2. Justice Must Be Served: All persons involved in the killings and destruction will be identified, arrested, and prosecuted according to the law. 3. Leadership Must Step Up: Our Traditional Rulers and Presidents-General must be more proactive, responsive and responsible in managing communal disputes before they escalate. 4. Rebuilding the Idigo Palace: I have directed the State Government to assist in rebuilding the destroyed Idigo Palace. This palace is not just a building; it is a symbol of our heritage, our identity, and our traditional authority. Its destruction is an attack on Ndi Anambra itself. 5. Commission of Inquiry: We will constitute a Commission of Inquiry to review all historical complaints, petitions and issues relating to this crisis. The Commission will have four months to submit its report. I have also directed security agencies to maintain full presence in the affected communities to enforce peace. This administration will be fair, firm, and just. We will do everything to ensure lasting peace returns. May Anambra continue to win!

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WORLD TEACHERS' DAY 2026 Today, I celebrate the true builders of our future — our Teachers. No society can rise above the quality of its teachers. As a teacher, I know firsthand the sacrifice, the patience, and the quiet dignity with which our teachers shape destinies. In Anambra, you are not just teaching alphabets and numbers; you are moulding the Solution generation. You are the foundation upon which our vision of a livable and prosperous homeland rests. Our administration remains deeply committed to you. From improved welfare, to continuous training, to ensuring our public schools become schools of excellence where the child of the poorest can compete with the child of the richest — we will not relent. On behalf of Ndi Anambra, I say Thank You. Thank you for staying true to this noble calling, even when the reward was only in heaven. We see you. We value you. Happy World Teachers' Day!

Today, I swore in the newly elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors of our 21 Local Government Areas, reminding them that leadership is, above all, a call to service, and charging them to take our development agenda closer to the people with purpose, humility, and a deep sense of duty. I congratulated them on their emergence, while also extending my commiserations for the weight of responsibility now placed upon their shoulders. Public office is not merely about ambition or promise; it is a solemn trust that demands stewardship, sacrifice, and measurable results. The expectations are high, but even greater is the opportunity before them. This is their moment to bring governance closer to the grassroots, touch lives in meaningful ways, and leave behind a legacy defined by service, impact, and enduring progress. May Anambra continue to win!

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Yesterday in Awka, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, commissioned the new Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to serve Anambra and Imo States. He was ably represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON. It was an honour to join my brother Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, and other leaders at this historic event, and I used the opportunity to share a personal testimony about the professionalism of the EFCC. A few years after I left office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Commission was investigating an issue at the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, where I had served as Chairman of the Board. I was invited to come and explain what I knew about the matter. I honoured the invitation. After their investigation, they formally wrote to inform me that nothing was found against me. Years later, when the matter came up again, they once again confirmed in writing that there was no evidence against me at the conclusion of their investigation. I still keep that letter. I deeply appreciated that sense of professionalism. In our country, once you are invited by an anti-graft agency, it makes headlines. It is only fair that when you are cleared, you are also formally cleared in writing. This personal experience is why I consider the EFCC a very professional institution. I urged them to keep it up. We congratulate the EFCC and thank Mr. President for this important investment in strengthening the fight against corruption in our region. Anambra welcomes the EFCC.

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Today is special — Nigeria is 66, a new month is here, and we have just entered the last quarter of the year. Three milestones in one day remind us that time is moving, and we must make every moment count. At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. We have had our trials and our triumphs, but we remain a resilient, hopeful and blessed nation. The best of Nigeria is still ahead of us. As we step into October and the final lap of 2026, I urge us to stay united, stay hopeful, and stay committed to building the Anambra of our dreams and the Nigeria we all desire. Happy New Month, Happy Independence Anniversary, and may this last quarter bring us peace, progress and prosperity. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May Anambra continue to win!

Yesterday, together with my dear wife Nonye, my Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, members of the State Executive Council, the House of Assembly, and Ndi Anambra from all walks of life, we gathered at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka for an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark Nigeria at 66. As we reflect on 66 years of our nationhood, it reminds us that nation-building is a collective responsibility. It requires our resilience, our sacrifice, and our active participation. True freedom, as Archbishop Alexander Ibezim reminded us in his powerful sermon titled “From Bondage to Freedom, God's Purpose for Nigeria,” is beyond the raising of flags. It is about a people determining their own destiny. And while governments will come and go, Nigeria remains. Yes, we have challenges. The agricultural boom of old has waned, but Nigeria has not failed. Our duty is to bless this country, to speak well of her, and to brighten the corner where we are. For personal integrity is national integrity. As your government, we remain deeply committed to peace, progress and good governance in Anambra. May Nigeria continue to rise, and may Anambra continue to win. God bless Anambra State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Yesterday, I was in Ekwusigo Local Government to commission a newly completed 3-kilometer road. Built by the Ekwusigo LG administration under Mayor Chimezie Obi, the road was constructed with sub-cement stabilization, stone-base laying, and top-grade asphalt finishing. It is a landmark achievement. I doubt if any Local Government in the State has constructed a road of this superior standard in the last 20 years. Kudos to you, Mayor Chimezie. This is definitive proof that the Local Government system in Anambra is back, working effectively, and adding value directly to the grassroots. We deliberately restructured and strengthened the Local Government framework through our local administration laws to ensure fiscal strength and long-term sustainability. The result is what we are seeing today. The era when Local Government Councils were struggling to pay primary health workers, pensioners, and gratuities is over. Today, they are building quality roads and delivering impactful projects. The Ekwusigo road is a proof of concept for what empowered local administrations can achieve. In the coming weeks, I will be touring various LGAs to commission more projects executed by our Mayors. Across Anambra, we remain one large construction site, with over 137 roads and projects awaiting commissioning. The people's money is working for the benefit of the people. This is the APGA and Solution agenda at work. I also commissioned the legislative building inside the Ekwusigo LG Secretariat and gave cash awards to students and schools involved in the skills acquisition programme of the Mayor. May Anambra continue to win!

Yesterday at the Old Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, I joined my wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, to host Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, as she launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East. This initiative under the Renewed Hope Initiative targets our most vulnerable. Widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, nursing mothers and young children with food support and nutrition education. It aligns perfectly with our state’s drive to fight poverty, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen social safety nets. We also hosted the First Lady to a rousing reception at the Dr Alex Ekwueme square, where the Traditional rulers of Anambra, led by HRM Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), conferred a Chieftaincy title on her as the “Ugoeze Anambra”. Alongside this, we distributed empowerment grants, vocational tools and agricultural inputs to Five thousand beneficiaries across our 21 LGAs. Thank you, Her Excellency, for choosing Anambra to flag off the South-East zone. Together, we are building an Anambra and a Nigeria where no one is left behind. May Anambra continue to win!

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Happy New Month, Ndi Anambra! September is here. The work continues. The Solution continues. Anambra continues to rise. This month, may your hands be blessed, your businesses grow, and peace reign in every home across our dear state. Let’s pray and work together to build the Anambra of our dreams.

Today, we mark 35 years of Anambra State. This anniversary is not just about remembering the past. It is a call to action for the future we are building together — a healthier, more livable, and more prosperous Anambra for our children. As we celebrate how far we have come, we must also look ahead. And the future we want demands that we pay urgent attention to our environment. Across the world, nations are choosing green over grey. For us in Anambra, it is time to be intentional. We must move from concrete jungles to a green Anambra — with trees, clean waterways, and communities protected from erosion and flooding. Government cannot do this alone. The erosion and flooding that have claimed homes and farmlands will only be curbed when every citizen plays their part — plant a tree, stop indiscriminate dumping, protect our drains, and keep our surroundings clean. Let us choose green. Let us choose the future.

I am in Silicon Valley advancing Anambra’s strategic engagement with global leaders in technology, innovation, healthcare, and higher education, as part of our broader vision to build a smart, prosperous, and globally competitive homeland. This mission reflects the essence of our ADTS vision — Africa, Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley; to learn from the best, build strong partnerships, and adapt global knowledge to Anambra’s development priorities. My engagements with Varian, NVIDIA, and San José State University focused on practical areas of collaboration in advanced healthcare, artificial intelligence, talent development, research, and innovation. These are critical building blocks for the future we are deliberately creating through the Solution Innovation District (SID) and our wider human capital development agenda. Our goal is clear, to position Anambra as a hub for knowledge, enterprise, and opportunity; strengthen our institutions; empower our people with future-ready skills; and bring global opportunities home. That is how we build an Anambra that learns globally, grows locally, and competes confidently with the world. May Anambra continue to win!

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As we advance Anambra’s transformation into a technology- and innovation-driven economy, I engaged with leading institutions shaping the innovation, enterprise, healthcare, and investment ecosystem in Brampton and Toronto, Canada. My visit to the Brampton Innovation District, and meetings with institutions such as Altitude Accelerator, Brampton Venture Zone, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, BHive, the Brampton Board of Trade, and the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine, offered valuable insights into the systems that make innovation thrive. What stands out is clear; innovation succeeds where there is deliberate collaboration between government, talent, infrastructure, and private enterprise. These are important lessons for Anambra. Our vision is not merely to build infrastructure, but to build a dynamic ecosystem where talent thrives, ideas scale into enterprises, technology strengthens public services, and our young people are equipped to compete globally. This further strengthens our resolve to be intentional in developing the Solution Innovation District (SID) and the broader innovation ecosystem around it. We will continue to learn from global best practices, adapt them to our context, and build an Anambra where innovation, enterprise, and human capital drive inclusive prosperity. Our mission is clear; build here, innovate here, create here, and compete globally. May Anambra continue to win!

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Yesterday in Toronto, I attended the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference, themed “Thrive Abroad and Invest in Nigeria.” The conversations were timely and the message clear As Nigerians in Diaspora, we must stay rooted in our identity and values, remain connected to home, and take pride in our responsibility to contribute to a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria. The next generation must also step forward through technology, enterprise, innovation, and advocacy. For us in Anambra, this is about purpose, not just presence. We are here to connect, build genuine partnerships, attract investment, and create real opportunities. We want the diaspora to see Anambra as a place where ideas can become businesses, investment can create value, and opportunities can translate into lasting prosperity. May Anambra continue to win!

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I was in Asaba yesterday for the Delta Economic and Investment Summit. It was a great honour to join an array of distinguished leaders committed to moving our nation forward — including His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima; my brother, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, DG of the World Trade Organization; the Minister of Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele; and other eminent guests. The conversations were rich, the energy was high, and the commitment to development across subnationals was clear. When we collaborate, Nigeria wins!

Happy Birthday to my partner, my strength, my greatest blessing — Mrs. Nonye Soludo @NonyeSoludo. Today, I celebrate a woman whose heart beats for humanity. Your quiet service, compassion, and relentless advocacy for the health and dignity of Ndi Anambra have touched lives in ways words cannot fully capture. Beyond public service, you are home to me. Thank you for the love, prayers, wisdom, and the steady hands that hold our family together. As you mark another year, my prayer is that God continues to bless you with health, joy, and grace. Anambra is better because you are in it. I love you, today and always.

I was honoured to unveil a grand statue of our own Professor Chinua Achebe at Ugwu-Nwasike Roundabout, Ogidi, in Idemili North LGA. Surrounded by dignitaries, literary scholars, and Ndi Anambra, this moment was more than the unveiling of a monument. It was a declaration. Achebe did not just write books. He gave the black race a voice, redefined African literature, and told our story to the world with courage, clarity and intellectual integrity. “Things Fall Apart” did more than sell millions of copies — it restored the dignity of a people. This statue is the latest in our commitment to ensure that his legacy never fades. In 2023 we renamed our International Airport after him — the ‘Chinua Achebe International Passenger and Cargo Airport’. Today, we have given him a permanent place in the heart of his hometown, Ogidi. To our youths: let Achebe’s life inspire you. A life of scholarship, principled leadership, truth, and service to your people and humanity. I thank Prof. Ike Achebe and the entire Achebe family for joining us and for the grace to celebrate this icon together. Though he left us in 2013, his spirit still guides our intellectual and cultural journey as a people. Ndi Anambra, we do not forget our own. Chinua Achebe lives on!

PRESIDENT TINUBU IS INTENTIONALLY REBUILDING THE SOUTH EAST I can’t contain my joy and that of my people regarding the great news from DIKESIMBA Anambra; DIKESIMBA NDIGBO, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR! Certainly, President Tinubu has a date with history, and even more so with the Southeast. He continues to demonstrate his avowed commitment to orchestrating the reconstruction of the Southeast, thereby finally healing the wounds of the Civil War. There are several unprecedented, foundational infrastructural rebirths going on in the Southeast at the moment. We will celebrate the full list later…. But the news from him today is history in itself. I met the President on Wednesday, July 1. The next day, the Hon. Minister for Works and Infrastructure (our own ever-productive and beloved Sen. Dave Umahi) contacted me to send him the details of the roads we had repeatedly discussed. On Friday, July 3rd, I sent him the following two roads: 1. Otuocha–Anam–Abaji (Kogi), about 108km to be dualized; and 2. Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube (Okigwe Junction), connecting Anambra/Imo to the Enugu–PH Road, which also passes through Abia, about 150km to be dualized. Today, 15th July, I received a message from the Min. of Works that the President has graciously approved both roads for “design and procurement”! What can I say? These two roads constitute critical game-changers for the Southeast, South-South and North Central. The man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos is certainly redefining politics, and the Southeast won’t be the same again! For me personally, this is why politics makes sense to me: working collaboratively and building alliances to achieve concrete results that improve the lives of the people. Thank you, ASIWAJU! History will be kind to you!!

Yesterday in Onitsha, I joined family, friends, and associates to celebrate the 80th birthday of Justice Paul Obidigwe. To celebrate him is to celebrate a life of purpose, honour, service, and enduring impact. Over the years, Justice Obidigwe has distinguished himself in the judiciary, the Church, and society. He has helped shape institutions, inspire generations, and build a lasting legacy of honour. At 80, he remains a shining example of a life well lived. Truly, we do not merely live; we live to make a difference. Though retired, he is clearly not tired. I heartily congratulate Justice Paul Obidigwe on this remarkable milestone and pray that God grants him many more years of good health, peace, and fulfilment. Happy 80th Birthday, Your Lordship.

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