By Jude Atupulazi
Students in Anambra State, under the Solution Students Movement of Nigeria are urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to seek re-election, citing his achievements in education, infrastructural development and security.
The call was made during the launch of the movement at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam, which attracted many students from various institutions.
Speaking on behalf of 16 Students Union Government (SUG) leaders, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Anambra State, Comrade Matthew Okoye Okpara, declared the students’ support for Soludo’s second term. He praised what he described as the Governor’s engagement with tertiary institutions, approval of student loans and launch of Agunechemba Security Outfit as key steps in transforming the state.
Institutions represented at the event included Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU); Federal Polytechnic Oko; Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu; Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe; Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze; Tansian University and Metallurgical Training Institute.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Soludo, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, commended the students for their solidarity and patriotism. He reaffirmed Soludo’s commitment to youth empowerment as seen in key appointments and policies favouring young people.
Dr. Obiogbolu outlined the Governor’s achievements in security, education, housing and healthcare, noting his success in combating youth criminality while fostering a culture of hard work and self-reliance. He also highlighted initiatives such as free primary and secondary education, free antenatal care, the establishment of Anambra’s largest trauma centre at COOU Amaku Teaching Hospital.
He commended the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) Mr. Ossy Onuko, for his effort in transforming the state capital.
For her part, the COOU Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, applauded Soludo’s impact on higher education and announced plans to restore vandalized infrastructure and introduce “Solution WiFi” for 24-hour internet access on campus. She urged students to reject thuggery and vote wisely for what she called Anambra’s future.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of ACTDA Mr. Ossy Onuko, extolled Governor Soludo’s infrastructural strides which he listed as the recruitment of 8,153 teachers; ongoing construction of 21 smart schools across all local government areas and the completion of over 401 kilometers of roads out of the 739 kilometers awarded in his first two years in office. He described this as an unprecedented feat in the state’s History and noted that Anambra now had the lowest rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
