INTRODUCTION
With humility and gratitude to God, I offer myself as a vehicle for selfless servantleadership to Ndi Anambra in our quest to build a liveable and prosperous smart megacity. It is a vision of a homeland that is the preferred destination in which to live, invest, learn, work, and relax and enjoy. It is an Anambra that aspires to be the best in every positive way, not only in Nigeria/ Africa but in the world. I am a passionate village boy with humble beginnings who has received abundant grace and blessings from God. I have traversed the world (lived in Ethiopia, the UK, and the USA and visited 45 other countries on all continents as an itinerant scholar and consultant) and served the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in numerous capacities (see my short profile in the Appendix). At this stage in my life and with excellent health, I believe it is now time for me to give back in full to my immediate community—Anambra State-by devoting all my God-given talents, education, exposure and experience, national and global networks-to contribute to leaving my state better than I met it.
OVERVIEW
Key Challenges And Strength/ Opportunities In Anambra State
A good plan starts with a sound analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT). We must understand what challenges we need to overcome and the opportutunities for doing so. In this synopsis, we highlight just a few, to provide context to the Manifesto.
1) The environment constitutes Anambra’s major existential threat. Its landmass and population density are second only to Lagos, with its 4,844 square kilometers of land threatened by over 900 active erosion sites. The environment constitutes Anambra’s major existential threat. Its landmass and population density are second only to Lagos, with its 4,844 square kilometers of land threatened by over 900 active erosion sites.
2)The annual flooding of riverine communities and inland roads/communities is a serious menace. Much of the land space is rapidly being built up without proper planning of the cities, communities, and markets. For example, there are very few streets with pedestrian walkways; open markets sprawling unto the roads/ streets; communities without recreation grounds/facilities or planned road networks, etc
Our Plan
Our plan, with smart goals, is based on a deep knowledge of the challenges and a realistic assessment of what we can achieve in Anambra state especially in the context of the current and emerging national opportunities and threats. They are not the usual political promises. The Plan is carefully thought through and costed, and we will aggressively work to mobilize the required resources. Our word is our bond: we expect to exceed the targets in the Plan. To keep it simple, the various initiatives in our plan are grouped into four major pillars as follows:
Social Agenda:
Education, Health, Youths, Women and Vulnerable groups
Economic Transformation
As Nigeria’s next axis industrial-tech hub and Leisure
Funding And Implementation
Funding the audacious agenda outlined above can be very challenging, especially in these economic times. Here is where my core competence as a development/monetary/macro economist and a central banker will be critical. I will leverage my professional experience and my extensive national and international networks and contacts in the development community to ensure that we mobilize the required funding.
The Plan has been fully costed. It will be funded through a mix of direct state government funding, private sector investments and concessions, project financing, PPP, grants from DFls, counterpart funding from FGN and DFls, and exploiting innovative financing mechanisms offered by the FGN such as the Infrastructure Tax Credit scheme, Infrastructure Fund, etc. Maximizing Anambra’s access to the various FGN’s investments under the concurrent list will provide supplementary investment financing. With sound credit rating for the State government, there will be easier access to the capital market. Our government will only borrow for bankable projects that will pay back and contribute to the state’s economic transformation.
PROF.CHARLES CHUKWUMA SOLUDO, CFR was born on July 28, 1960 to late Mrs Mgbafor Soludo and Nze Nwankwo Simeon Soludo of Umueze village, lsuofia, Aguata LGA. He is happily married to Nonye Queen Frances Soludo, and they are blessed with children. He holds the traditional title of “ODENIGBO Aguata na Orumba”-conferred upon him by the 45 communities in Aguata, Orumba North and Orumba South Local governments in 2004, ODENJINJI Aguleri, and DIKEUDO lsuofia. Chukwuma has had an exemplary career as an international scholar and consultant/adviser to 20 international financial/development organizations and governments; distinguished public servant; philanthropist and a devotee to Christian life/duties. In government, the Soludo brand became synonymous with excellence in grand visioning with precision in execution.
EDUCATION
WASC 1980 (Distinction Grade): Uga Boys’ Secondary School, Aguata; B.Sc (1984) Economics (First Class Hons): University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Winning Departmental and Faculty prizes as best graduating student); NYSC (1984/85): Department of Economics, University of lfe, lle-lfe (Now Obafemi Awolowo University, lfe); M.Sc (1987) Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Ph.D (1989) Econometrics/Monetary Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Winning ViceChancellor’s prize).
LATEST NEWS PUBLICATIONS
THE PEOPLE’S MANIFESTO
PILLAR THREE: GOVERNANCE, RULE OF LAW & VALUE SYSTEM The Soludo-Ibezim mandate promises to run an exemplary government that will…
PILLARS OF THE PEOPLE MANIFESTO
PILLAR TWO: SOCIAL AGENDA The Soludo-Ibezim mandate seeks to develop a skilled, healthy, and compassionate society required to prepare Anambra…
PILLARS OF THE PEOPLE’S MANIFESTO
PILLAR ONE: ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION The Soludo-Ibezim mandate aims to transform Anambra from a dominantly informal commercial State to a formal,…
