……….We Are In A Haste To Build A New Society, Soludo Tells EU Ambassador.
Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to rapidly transform the state into a modern industrial hub, emphasizing that his government is working with urgency to build a sustainable and prosperous society.
Gov Soludo made this known in Awka while receiving the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, during a courtesy visit at the Light House.
The meeting centered on strengthening strategic partnerships, advancing infrastructure development, and fostering international collaboration to address critical environmental challenges confronting the state.
Describing Anambra as the “Light of the Nation” and a key gateway to the South East, the governor outlined bold initiatives including the development of a New Industrial City and a pioneering Aerotropolis aimed at positioning the state as a commercial powerhouse in West Africa.
He disclosed that the state has completed a comprehensive rail master plan and is actively seeking funding support, pointing to the EU’s Marshall Plan as a possible model for financing large-scale development projects.
Soludo also raised concerns over the growing environmental threats facing the state, particularly flooding and gully erosion, which he described as existential risks to Anambra’s landscape.
“Green development is no longer optional but essential for our survival,” he said, stressing the need for significant investment in sustainable solutions.
The governor further clarified that his administration is prioritizing business-driven partnerships over traditional aid, highlighting plans to dredge the Onitsha Seaport—recently designated as a Port of Origin—and to harness the state’s gas resources through a proposed 50-kilometre pipeline to power industrial clusters.
He noted that upon assuming office, he withdrew from the World Bank NG-Cares programme, insisting that Anambra seeks mutually beneficial investments rather than dependency on aid.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot commended the state’s vision and acknowledged the enduring influence of literary icon Chinua Achebe, noting his admiration for the naming of the state’s international airport in the writer’s honour.
The ambassador introduced the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy, an initiative designed to strengthen global connections in digital, energy, and transport sectors, while emphasizing the critical role of sub-national governments in driving national development.
He also praised the Soludo administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, particularly its efforts toward gender balance.
The visit coincided with the Founder’s Day convocation ceremony at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, where the ambassador was scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Kate Omenugha, highlighted the institution’s support for the state’s environmental sustainability agenda, noting ongoing academic and community-driven initiatives aligned with government priorities.
Other top government officials present at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake; Chief of Staff, Chief Ben Nwankwo; and Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barrister Joachin Anaeto.
The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen cooperation, particularly in sustainable development and environmental management, as Anambra intensifies efforts to evolve into a modern and livable mega-city.