The soft glow of the cinema screen cast dancing shadows across the faces of families scattered throughout the theatre. Children clutched oversized buckets of popcorn, their eyes wide with wonder at the unfolding adventure on screen. Parents relaxed into plush seats, finally able to exhale after a long week. And there, among them all, sat Governor Chukwuma Soludo—not as a political figure or public servant, but as a man witnessing the beautiful fruition of his greatest ambition.
It was a Sunday evening in July 2025, and Solution Fun City was alive with the gentle hum of contentment. The governor had chosen to spend his evening not in the corridors of power or at official functions, but here, in the very heart of what he had dreamed into existence. As he watched families from all walks of life enjoying themselves, he must have felt the profound satisfaction that comes from seeing a vision not just realized but embraced. “This is exactly what we envisioned and worked tirelessly to bring to life,” he would later reflect, his words carrying the weight of countless planning sessions, budget negotiations, and sleepless nights spent perfecting every detail.
That peaceful Sunday evening represented the culmination of a journey that began years earlier with a simple yet profound recognition: Anambra State needed more than just economic development—it needed places where souls could be nourished, where families could bond, and where the community could gather in joy. Governor Soludo’s vision was audacious in its scope. He didn’t just want to build another entertainment venue; he wanted to create what he called a “Family Fun House”—a comprehensive ecosystem of leisure that would transform Anambra into a tourism destination worthy of national recognition.
The project that would eventually become Solution Fun City was conceived as part of Soludo’s broader tourism and creative economy agenda. It represented a fundamental shift in how the state approached development, moving beyond traditional infrastructure to invest in the intangible yet invaluable currency of happiness and community well-being. This philosophical approach would guide every decision that followed, from the initial site selection to the final decorative touches that created the “cool cinematic ambiance” the governor would later savour.
When construction began on the 12.7-hectare site, it became clear that this was no ordinary development project. The governor and his team were crafting something unprecedented—what would eventually be recognized as the biggest combination of an amusement park and water park in the South-East, and perhaps in all of Nigeria. The complex would feature swimming pools, a state-of-the-art cinema, an expansive amusement park, a sophisticated country club, game centers designed specifically for children, and multiple halls for events and gatherings.
Yet beyond these impressive specifications lay a deeper commitment to environmental responsibility. The facility was designed to be carbon neutral, with beautiful landscaping, carefully maintained lawns, and ornamental trees that would make the complex not just entertaining, but environmentally conscious. Every element was carefully considered, from the spacing of the attractions to ensure optimal flow, to the selection of equipment that would provide thrills while maintaining the highest safety standards. The cinema, where Governor Soludo would later spend that memorable Sunday evening, was equipped with the latest technology to provide an immersive experience that could compete with entertainment venues anywhere in the world.
The transformation from blueprint to reality reached a pivotal moment on May 8, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Anambra State provided the perfect opportunity to showcase what had been accomplished. As the President inaugurated Solution Fun City alongside other legacy projects, it was clear that this was more than a regional achievement—it was a national statement about what was possible when vision met determination. The project had attracted attention from across Nigeria and beyond, with observers noting the innovative approach to tourism development and the potential for economic impact. But for Governor Soludo, the real validation would come not from dignitaries or media coverage, but from the faces of ordinary families experiencing joy.
That validation arrived in spectacular fashion on June 28, 2025, when Solution Fun City officially opened its doors to the public. The grand opening was a celebration that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of what had been created. Top Nigerian musicians, including the beloved Flavour (Chinedu Okoli), performed for a mammoth crowd that included residents, dignitaries, and celebrities. The diversity of the crowd was striking—children ran from ride to ride with unbridled excitement, teenagers gathered around game centers sharing laughter and friendly competition, parents found moments of peace in the beautifully landscaped gardens, and grandparents watched their families with eyes full of joy. It was exactly the kind of scene Governor Soludo had envisioned during those early planning sessions.
The water park drew particular attention, with its multiple pools and water features providing relief from the Nigerian heat while creating spaces for both relaxation and recreation. The amusement park rides, carefully selected to cater to different age groups and thrill preferences, ensured that every visitor could find something to enjoy. The facility’s country club component attracted a different demographic, providing networking opportunities for business leaders and professionals while generating revenue that could be reinvested in maintenance and expansion.
However, it was perhaps that quiet Sunday evening in July that provided the most meaningful validation of the entire project. As Governor Soludo sat in the cinema, surrounded by the gentle sounds of families enjoying themselves, he was witnessing something that no amount of economic impact studies or tourism statistics could capture—the simple, profound joy of people at leisure. The cinema itself had become a gathering place for the community. The late-night movie he attended was just one of many screenings that brought people together, creating shared experiences and memories.
The “cool cinematic ambiance” he described wasn’t just about temperature control or sound quality—it was about creating an environment where people could escape from their daily concerns and immerse themselves in stories and dreams. The popcorn he mentioned in his reflection might seem like a small detail, but it represented the attention to those little touches that transform a functional space into a memorable experience. Every element, from the comfortable seating to the quality of the refreshments, had been carefully considered to ensure that visitors would want to return again and again.
As families continued to visit Solution Fun City in the weeks and months following its opening, it became clear that Governor Soludo’s vision had achieved something beyond mere entertainment. The facility had become a catalyst for broader change in Anambra State. Local businesses began to see increased foot traffic as visitors to the Fun City explored the surrounding area. Hotels reported higher occupancy rates as people traveled from other states to experience what had been created. The facility’s emphasis on family-friendly entertainment attracted demographics that had previously been overlooked in tourism planning.
The environmental considerations built into the project’s design began to influence other developments in the state. The carbon-neutral approach and emphasis on landscaping set new standards for sustainable development that other projects began to emulate. Perhaps most importantly, the success of Solution Fun City demonstrated the viability of investing in quality of life as a tool for economic development. The facility showed that entertainment and leisure could be serious business, creating jobs, attracting investment, and building the kind of community pride that drives broader progress.
The ripple effects extended far beyond Anambra’s borders. Other states began to take notice, with several announcing plans for similar facilities. The project had essentially created a new category of public investment in Nigeria—large-scale entertainment infrastructure designed to serve both local communities and regional tourism. The success also validated Governor Soludo’s approach to governance, which emphasized not just traditional development metrics but also the importance of creating spaces where people could experience joy and build community connections. This philosophy began to influence other policy decisions, from park development to cultural programming.
The multiple halls began hosting everything from wedding receptions to corporate retreats, making the complex an integral part of the state’s event hosting infrastructure. Each celebration held within its walls added another layer to the community connections the facility was fostering. Families who had celebrated milestones at Solution Fun City found themselves returning not just for entertainment, but for the memories and associations the place had created in their lives.
As Governor Soludo’s term continues, Solution Fun City stands as perhaps one of the most visible and beloved examples of his administration’s commitment to transforming Anambra State. The facility has become a source of state pride, with residents regularly bringing visitors to experience what their government has created. The project has also demonstrated the importance of political leadership that thinks beyond immediate electoral cycles. The years of planning, construction, and refinement required to create Solution Fun City represent the kind of long-term thinking that builds lasting legacies.
For Governor Soludo personally, that Sunday evening in the cinema will likely remain a treasured memory—a moment when he could see his vision not through the lens of politics or public administration, but through the simple joy of families at leisure. It was a reminder that the most successful public projects are those that enhance the daily lives of ordinary people. The satisfaction he felt watching “people of all ages unwinding and having a great time” reflected the deeper purpose that had driven the entire endeavour.
Looking toward the future, Solution Fun City continues to evolve and expand, serving as a model for how public investment in entertainment and leisure can drive broader economic and social development. The facility has proven that Nigerians are eager for high-quality entertainment options and willing to support facilities that meet international standards. The project’s success has also highlighted the importance of creating spaces where different generations can enjoy themselves together. In an era of increasing digital isolation, Solution Fun City offers physical spaces where families can create shared experiences and build memories that last a lifetime.
Governor Soludo’s reflection on that Sunday evening—”May Anambra continue to win!”—captures both the pride and the aspiration that drive continued investment in quality of life. Solution Fun City has become more than an entertainment facility; it has become a symbol of what is possible when leadership dares to dream big and follows through with meticulous execution. The story of Solution Fun City is ultimately a story about the power of vision, the importance of execution, and the profound satisfaction that comes from creating something that brings joy to others.
As families continue to gather in its cinemas, splash in its pools, and create memories on its rides, Governor Soludo’s dream continues to unfold, one smile at a time. The true measure of Solution Fun City’s success won’t be found in visitor statistics or revenue reports, but in the countless Sunday evenings when families gather to enjoy themselves, creating the kind of memories that make life rich and meaningful. That’s the legacy Governor Soludo has built—not just a fun city, but a foundation for happiness that will serve Anambra State for generations to come.
