Tinubu’s 2nd Term Will Deliver Stronger, Fairer Nigeria — Soludo

Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed optimism that a second term for President Bola Tinubu will deliver “a stronger and fairer Nigeria,” even as he acknowledged the hardship currently facing Nigerians.

Soludo spoke in Awka during a reception organised in honour of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at Alex Ekwueme Square, the state capital.

The event also marked the South-East zonal launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Bank.

“Though I feel the pains of those who complain now, I see hope,” the governor said. “There are still traces of cancer, but there is hope for healing. The next four years of Tinubu will see a stronger and fairer Nigeria.

“We are determined to leave a framework that leaves no one behind. We will cascade the food bank beyond the three locations in the three senatorial zones to all the communities.”

As part of the RHI intervention, Mrs Tinubu empowered 500 women drawn from across the South-East geopolitical zone.

In a complementary gesture, the wife of the Anambra State governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, empowered 5,000 women in the state. The First Lady announced a donation of N100,000 to each of the beneficiaries.

Mrs Tinubu described Anambra as holding “a special place in my heart,” noting that she has four traditional titles in Igboland.

“Today is our final launch of the Food Bank in all geopolitical zones,” she said. “We did 500 yesterday, and today Anambra has supported with 5,000. I will give each beneficiary N100,000. We are really, really happy with what we are seeing.

“I urge that all malnourished mothers be sent to primary health centres across the geopolitical zones. Igbos are very nice people. I will be back for proper campaign.”

The First Lady was later conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Ugo Eze Anambra” (Eagle of the King) by the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.

Chairman of the council and traditional ruler of Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, said the honour was in recognition of Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s compassion and service to indigent Nigerians.

Dr. Nonye Soludo described the RHI Food Bank as “a clear testament of care for the poor,” adding that no First Lady before Mrs Tinubu had cared for the lives of indigent Nigerians in the manner she had.

Governor Soludo described Mrs Tinubu as “a loving and caring mother and supportive wife” and pledged the continued alliance of his APGA-led administration with the APC-controlled federal government.

“Progressives are working. APGA is the oldest progressive party. Progressives are united for a united Nigeria working for the welfare of all,” he said.

“Governors are working together to cascade federal government programmes of President Tinubu to the grassroots at the sub-nationals.”

He also listed security and human capital infrastructure among areas where he said the Tinubu administration had recorded progress.

Earlier in the day, the First Lady inaugurated a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) ICT Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

She described the facility as “a major investment in the digital future of Nigerian youths.” The centre is designed to train students and lecturers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and software development.

Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Alhaji Aminu Masari, said Federal Polytechnic Oko was one of six institutions selected nationwide as pioneer beneficiaries.

He said the projects, approved under TETFund’s 2024 intervention, were sited in each of the six geopolitical zones at a cost of N1 billion per zone.

TETFund Executive Secretary, Mr Sonny Echono, said the initiative aligns with the Fund’s commitment to building human capital for a knowledge-driven economy. He thanked President Tinubu for providing a policy environment that encourages people-centred interventions.

Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Chioma Awuzie, described the commissioning as a landmark achievement that would create opportunities in digital skills, employment and entrepreneurship.

She, however, appealed to the First Lady and other stakeholders for urgent intervention to address erosion threatening parts of the institution.

The dual events in Awka and Oko marked the conclusion of the RHI Food Bank rollout across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.