President Bola Tinubu has pledged to address long-standing developmental challenges facing the state and the wider Southeast region.
Tinubu, who spoke yesterday during a state visit to Anambra State, also pledged to address ecological threats, infrastructure gaps, and exclusion from key national projects.
The President, who spoke at a civic reception at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, assured the people of Anambra of the federal government’s commitment to inclusive development, road rehabilitation, and national integration through rail and gas infrastructure.
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Responding to requests made by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Tinubu acknowledged the neglect of federal road projects linking Anambra to Kogi State and emphasised the importance of completing those routes to connect the Southeast more efficiently to Abuja and the South-South.
“Abandoned federal road projects that link Anambra to Kogi can become the fastest gateway between Abuja, Anambra South, and the South-South. I agree,” Tinubu stated.
He also promised to rectify Anambra’s exclusion from the National Rail Master Plan, stating that the Federal Ministry of Transportation had been directed to amend the oversight.
Addressing ecological concerns, the President said his administration would support the state’s fight against erosion and environmental degradation.
He also pledged to correct the exclusion of Anambra’s gas reserves from the National Gas Master Plan, highlighting the need to unlock the state’s energy potential.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to collaborate with the Southeast on peace, prosperity, and national unity.
“With our progressive ideological alliance, we will continue to partner with your state to deliver shared prosperity in Anambra and to all Nigerians,” he said.
“We are one family, a single family, diverse, living in the same house called Nigeria. Our diversity must lead to prosperity.”
President Tinubu was conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title “Dikesimba of Anambra State” by the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka.
He recalled a previous title bestowed on him in 2005—“Omenife of Awka”—by Eze Gibson Nwosu.
He also inaugurated the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and commissioned several components of the Solution Fun City in Awka, including a water park, country club, and family entertainment facilities developed by the Soludo administration.
Tinubu also launched the government house Mini City, the “Anambra Tour of Light,” and the unveiling of statues in honour of five notable Anambra icons: Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, Kenneth Dike, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Margaret Ekpo.
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Governor Soludo described the presidential visit as “historic and consequential,” symbolising a new era of cooperation between the state and federal governments.
He commended Tinubu’s economic reforms and key infrastructure interventions such as the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha Road and access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, which he described as “game-changers.”
He also stressed the ideological alignment between APGA and the APC, asserting Anambra’s commitment to progressive governance and national development.
