By Christian Aburime
The highly respected and prodigious poet, playwright novelist and essayist, Prof Wole Soyinka once wrote a book he titled: “You must set forth at dawn”.
The classic book which has all the signatures of a masterpiece from the master of literature himself showcased Soyinka’s years of Childhood, his political battles with the Nigerian establishment but more importantly, his core beliefs in justice, freedom, honour, merit and development
For those who may not know who Soyinka is, he is the first African (indeed a Nigerian) to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and one of the outspoken few figures in literary history to have campaigned vigorously for political freedom and democratic dividends for the black race.
Just like Soyinka, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Anambra State Governor-elect, represents the school of thoughts that shares same sentiments on the delivering of democratic dividends to the downtrodden
After winning the Anambra governorship election last year, Soludo has remained very consistent and unwavering. His action and utterances reaffirm the people’s belief as the man ready to bring true change to his people. Without any iota of doubt, he appears very prepared and therefore ready to set forth at dawn come March 17th to begin the onerous task of delivering the much awaited dividends of democracy to the good people of Anambra State.
Most of the solemn promises he made during his electioneering campaign which are also encapsulated in his manifesto, are already being fulfilled even before being sworn in. This gives the picture of a man who is ready to ‘walk the talk’. Interestingly, some of these promises include but not limited to the following:
▪︎To run an open and transparent government. Every kobo received and spent will be accounted for
▪︎Finance rating agencies to rate and monitor Anambra Finances.
▪︎To build a liveable and prosperous homeland in Anambra for all
▪︎To be a servant-leader Governor, employed by the people to serve the people
▪︎To do away with the title or prefix of “His Excellency”. And wish to be addressed officially as ‘Mr Governor’ only!
▪︎To patronize locally made products and services from Anambra State.
▪︎His official vehicle as Governor and all government employees’ official vehicles shall be made by Innoson Motors, a local manufacturing car plant based in Nnewi, Anambra State
▪︎To be the chief marketing officer of every product made in Anambra State
▪︎To revamp the moribund textile industry in Anambra state and promote made in Anambra textile materials
▪︎To help promote the locally made Akwete clothes as its brand ambassador
▪︎To make Anambra the ‘digital tribe’ in Nigeria,
▪︎To make Anambra State an Industrial hub from importing to an exporting economy
▪︎Anambra to be transformed into the largest entertainment and leisure resort in Africa
▪︎To create 130,000 private sector led jobs annually as well as 1000 youth millionaires every year
▪︎To tackle the menace of Erosion and other natural disasters plaguing the state
▪︎Education to be digital compliance for Ndi Anambra youths so that they can be competitive in the emerging digital world
▪︎Health, environment, roads, security and other critical sectors to be given top priority
As we count down to March 17th, Cee Cee Soludo is not only ready to set forth at dawn but optimally ready also to deliver the dividends of democracy to Ndi Anambra as promised!!!