Lifestyle

Soludo Meets 14-year-old Five-time Guinness World Record Holder, Offers Him Scholarship

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The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has met with 14-year-old Chinonso, a state indigene who holds Guinness book of records football Freestyle talent award for five times.

He made this known on his Facebook page late Thursday, as he shared photos from the meeting.

The caption partly read,

“As a soccer lover, Chinonso thrilled my wife and me to breathtaking moves, his control of the round leather orb is without doubt next to perfect.

“While he continues to grow his talent, I have offered Chinonso full scholarship to study from his current level of education up to the tertiary level.”

Politics

All gunmen caught over attacks in Anambra are Igbo – Soludo

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo has given an update on the security situation in Anambra state which he governs.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Sunday September 18, the professor of economics and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said his administration has reduced insecurity in the state.

Soludo said;

“Giving where things were when we came, we are not saying that Anambra is 100% secured … but everybody in Anambra – the 8.5 million residents of Anambra can testify to you that insecurity in Anambra has come down to the barest minimum.

“Fifteen camps (run by gunmen) here (have been) decimated. Even yesterday (Saturday), some other places (where) they were gathering were decimated; we have degraded their infrastructure and I don’t think they have the capacity again to come with the kind of ferocity they had in the past.

“Anambra has been relatively quiet and peaceful, and we are pursuing this agenda.“I would dare to say that if we were to have the statistics over the last three months, I think Anambra will compare favourably as one of the safest comparatively.”

On the identities of those arrested in connection with some of the attacks in the state, Soludo said;

“Let me be clear about it; 100% of the people we have caught are Igbos. It is not about some people invading from somewhere; it is 100% Igbos on Igbos, that is the fact.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Soludo’s Wife Visits Hospital, Orphanage To Mark Birthday.

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The First Lady of Anambra State, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has visited the hospital and orphanage home in Awka to donate foodstuff and relief materials as part of activities to mark her birthday.

She was accompanied by her husband, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Paschal Agbodike, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo and others.

They paid a visit to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka and Model Community Children’s Home, Ifite-Awka.

Lifestyle

Stop military from slaughtering your people – IPOB warns Gov Soludo

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed ‘Fulani-controlled’ military are responsible for the alleged killing of innocent people in Ogbaru and Nnewi South Local Government Areas of Anambra State.

IPOB has now asked Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to speak up against the killings.

According to the secessionist group, the governor’s “silence” showed that he is allegedly competing with his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma, in using the military to kill his people.

This was contained in a statement signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Sunday.

Powerful admitted that although “there are some pockets of petty criminals in the State as obtainable elsewhere in Nigeria, “it is not enough reason for the Nigerian military to randomly be slaughtering our people like chickens.”

According to him, “The military started shooting innocent people sporadically on the road and some were gunned down in their homes in Ogbaru and Nnewi South.

“Soludo are you aware of the military exercise? Is this kind of military depopulation of your people part of the deal you entered with the enemies of Ndigbo before being voted into office as Anambra governor last November?”

The group added that IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives were doing their best to stop those perpetrating criminalities in the region.

Politics

‘Grant Kanu a speedy trial or release him,’ Soludo tells Nigerian govt

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The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Sunday charged the Federal Government to fast-track the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or release him.

Soludo, who stated this in a programme on Channels Television, blamed the current unrest in the South-East on the continued incarceration of Kanu by the federal government.

The activist, who was brought back to the country on June 27 last year, is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony and terrorism at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

IPOB had in August 2021 ordered a sit-at-home in the South-East in a bid to force the government to release its detained leader.

The governor said: “Let me be clear. The sit-at-home order was because of Nnamdi Kanu. He is a factor, to be realistic. I don’t speak without facts. Every organized group in the South- East needs to be carried along in the conversation, because his detention affects a lot of things.

Therefore, in the conversation about peace and stability in the region, you can’t afford to disregard Nnamdi Kanu as an important factor. Any person saying otherwise must be living on the moon. As part of getting down into the fundamental issue, we must consider him as the major factor.”

He stressed that the public needs to know the charges for which the IPOB was arraigned by the government, adding that many people are oblivious of the reasons behind his continued detention.

Soludo added: “As part of the total resolution of the matter, charge him to court, press charges and he will be defended. This is the rule of law. I am one of those who don’t understand what the charges are.

“We need to know. The public deserves to know what he is being charged for and so on. It is just common sense. As they say, justice delayed is justice denied.”

Politics

Soludo forwards commissioners’ list to Anambra Assembly for approval

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Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Tuesday, forwarded a list of 20 commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for approval.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Uche Okafor, read the governor’s letter at the plenary in Akwa and urged the lawmakers to urgently consider the nominees.

Okafor, who also read another letter sent by the governor requesting the House confirmation of 15 nominees as Special Adviser, directed the House Committee on Screening to begin the screening of the commissioner nominees.

The nominees are – Prof. Ofonze Amucheazi, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh and Prof. Chika Ifemeje.

Others are – Ifeatu Chinedu, Ifeanyi Okoma, Chiamaka Nnake, Dr. Afam Obidike, Patrick Aghamba, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Obinabo, Dr. Obinna Ugonnadi and Julius Chukwuemeka.

The rest are – Paul Nwosu, Foster Ihejiofor, Patricia Igwebuike, Felix Odimegwu, Chikodi Anara, Collins Nwabunwanne, Donatus Onyeji, Anthony Ifeanya and Paulinus Onyeaka.

Politics

Soludo moves to end sit-at-home order in Anambra

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The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has directed all markets in the state to stop observing the sit-at-home order currently in place in the South-East.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had in 2021 ordered markets and other business outlets in the South-East to stay at home every Monday in a bid to force the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Soludo, who issued the directive at a meeting with leaders of 91 markets and transport unions in the state, said a preliminary survey revealed that the state loses N19.6 billion every Monday due to the closure of businesses.

He stressed that the time has come for the people to stop observing the sit-at-home order because of its negative impacts on the economy in the state and South-East as a whole.

The governor said: “In the next three months, we will put in caretaker committees in markets with leadership problems, but in about one year, we will conduct fresh elections in all the markets.

“When the election will be held, we will adopt ‘option A4’ so that proper people will take up leadership positions.”

Politics

Soludo claims Obiano left N300m in cash, billions of naira in debt

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Prof Charles Soludo, the recently-sworn-in Governor of Anambra State has revealed that his predecessor, Willie Obiano left about N300 million in cash, and a debt profile in hundreds of billions of naira as of December 2021.

Soludo stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Arise TV.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria further stated that other financial details from January to date were still unavailable.

He, however, said he expects those documents to be made available as soon as possible, stressing that they are public documents.

“In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about 300 million Naira. In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny.

But I hope we shall make money henceforth to help us fulfill our promises for infrastructure and development of the state. But in terms of what I met in our coffers, my brother, it’s pathetic. Please let us not go there. God will help us.

“The audited account of Anambra State is open source where anyone can see the assets and liabilities. We are still going to do the reconciliation and we intend to have a very transparent public financial management,” Soludo stated.

However, Soludo also praised the former Governor saying, “Willie Obiano is an honourable man and he kept his word. He did his best to his utmost and he laid some good foundations and make amendments and continue the trajectory.”

He also explained his insistence on adorning the locally-produced Akwaete clothing, saying it would boost the local industry while creating job opportunities.

“In other climes, the leaders patronize the local industry because that is how to create jobs. We are gonna create millions of jobs, just by patronizing this Akwaete because a lot of people now place orders which can’t be met because it is handwoven.

“We will help them get the technology to mass-produce it in order to get more jobs. This agenda is integral since it is the best way to govern by opening the market for the local industry. Made in Anambra first and we create millions of jobs. It is not a temporary thing, for show; I believe in it,” he said.

Shortly after the expiration of his tenure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Obiano for the alleged misappropriation of N42 billion belonging to the state.

Entertainment

Anambra Election: Davido congratulates Soludo on his victory

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International music star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has congratulated Prof Chukwuma Soludo on his emergence as Anambra Governor-elect.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission Commission (INEC) on Wednesday declared Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), winner of the election.

APGA scored a total of 112,229 votes, PDP had 53,807 votes, APC secured 43,285 votes while YPP had 21,261 votes.

Reacting, Soludo accepted the results and attributed his victory to the will of God.

With utmost humility and gratitude to God, I accept the results of the 2021 Anambra Governorship election as declared by INEC. This reflects the supreme will of the almighty God, and an overwhelming sacred mandate of the people,” he said in part.

Davido then took to his Twitter page and congratulated him, adding that it is important for votes to count.

He then congratulated the people of Anambra state and urged the former CBN governor to hit the ground running.

The musician wrote; ”Congrats sir … it’s just simple !! Let votes count ! Congrats to my Anambra people! Over to you YOUR EXCELLENCY ”

Politics

BREAKING: With 112,229 votes, INEC declares Soludo Anambra governor-elect

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Wednesday declared the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Prof. Charles Soludo, as winner of the Anambra State governorship election.

The Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Florence Obi, who announced the results in Awka, said Soludo scored 112, 229 votes to brush aside the challenge of 17 other candidates.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, garnered 53, 807 votes while Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 43, 285 votes.

Politics

Soludo advocates dialogue between Nigerian govt, secessionists to curb violence, insecurity

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A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Prof Charles Soludo, has advocated the need for dialogue towards quelling secessionist agitations in the South-East region.

Soludo made this call on Friday during a consultation with Anambra indigenes in Lagos on Friday.

The former CBN official noted that the Igbos must unify in order to establish a platform that will catapult them to the front seat regarding the affairs of the country.

Soludo said, “Yes, there are agitations and I respect them. But dialogue is the answer. They must dialogue; Igbo and Nigeria. That will settle it once there’s an organised platform, where the Igbo will be in the front seat.

“Forget about the APC and PDP. For us to negotiate our way to the centre, we must come together and form a formidable force for doing this.

“I call on all Igbo to come together, step out and build our land into a liveable homeland.”

On the current insecurity in Anambra State, Soludo linked it to massive unemployment among the vibrant youth populace.

“Our answer to these unrests is prosperity and job creation. Once there are jobs everywhere, all of those people will come out of the bushes and do something productive with that lives.

Politics

INEC lists Soludo as APGA candidate in Anambra, excludes PDP

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday listed the ex-Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

In the list, the commission dropped Michael Umeoji as the APGA candidate in the election.

This came just a few hours after the Imo State High Court, Owerri, reaffirmed the election of Umeoji as APGA candidate for the poll.

Both candidates belong to different factions of the party in Anambra State.

INEC also excluded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the election as two candidates also vying for the right to represent the party in the Anambra election.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the decision was taken at meeting where a number of issues including the nomination of candidates were discussed by the commission.

He, however, added that the list of final candidates for the election would be released on October 7.

Okoye said: “The commission met today (Thursday August 19, 202) and deliberated on a number of issues, including the nomination of candidates for the Anambra governorship election holding on November 6, 2021.

The timetable and schedule of activities approved by the commission on January 18, 2021, provides for the withdrawal/substitution of candidates in line with Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“Accordingly, by the deadline of July 30, 2021, fixed by the commission, seven governorship and 11 deputy governorship candidates were substituted by 11 out of the 18 political parties.

“Similarly, the commission was served with the judgment of the Court of Appeal (Kano Division) which set aside the judgment of the High Court of Jigawa State on the leadership of APGA and the nomination of its candidates for the Anambra Governorship election.

“The list of substitute candidates is attached to this Press Release. It has also been published on the commission’s website.

However, the final list of candidates will be published on October 7 2021 as provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.”

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