AFTERMATH OF TINUBU’S HISTORIC VISIT:
HOW SOLUDO’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT YIELDED TANGIBLE RESULTS FOR ANAMBRA AND SOUTHEAST
By Christian ABURIME
On May 8, 2025, a monumental day dawned in the history of Anambra State and the South-East region of Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s historic state visit to Anambra went beyond a ceremonial event; it was a powerful declaration of a new era, one where the South-East is no longer marginalised but is instead embraced as a vital component of Nigeria’s national development.
For decades, the South-East has faced significant challenges in infrastructure and economic development. The region has been left behind, with its potential stifled by neglect.
However, the winds of change have finally arrived, and they are blowing strong. President Tinubu’s visit and the subsequent approvals of key projects now signify a turning point that promises to transform the South-East and uplift its people.
For instance, the inclusion of Anambra State and the South-East in the National Railway Masterplan is a game-changer. This bold move will open new corridors of mobility, trade, and interconnectivity, linking the region to the rest of the federation in ways previously unimaginable.
The railway will not only boost economic activity but also drive greater unity among Nigeria’s diverse regions. Similarly, the integration of Anambra and the South-East into the nation’s Gas Pipeline Masterplan is a critical step towards industrialisation and energy access. This development will support the state’s burgeoning manufacturing and technology sectors, creating jobs and driving economic growth. It is a tribute to the vision of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, whose strategic engagement with the federal government has yielded tangible results.
The approval to complete the Federal highway linking Anambra and Kogi State is another key project. This highway will drastically reduce travel time to Abuja in less than four hours, promoting trade, mobility, and national unity. It is a project that will benefit not just Anambra but the entire South-East region, enhancing connectivity and economic opportunities.
The commencement of reconstruction works on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway is long overdue and much-needed. This infrastructural chal
