By Christian ABURIME
The morning of Saturday, 25, November, 2023, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo decided to pay a trip to Olumbanasa, a community hidden in Anambra West Council Area of Anambra State.
One striking thing about the trip was the fact that Governor Soludo could have opted to embark on the trip by helicopter, like many people before him. No! He chose to go by boat; this, in his words is for him to appreciate what ndị Anambra leaving there, go through on a daily basis.
A trip of more than two hours on the Niger river. But, as expected, the journey was filled with excitement, anticipation and a sense of adventure and importance, as the Governor played host to a select government officials, journalists and residents.
The boats navigated through open waters, past beautiful islands, and along picturesque shorelines, as everyone on board enjoyed the calming effects of nature; the very first time a sitting Governor of the state would visit Olumbanasa.
Conversation flew freely, with the occasional pause, as the group listened in awe to the Governor’s vision for the remote area.
Reaching the destination and disembarking revealed a hidden gem, an untouched landscape untouched by development where nature serenaded the Governor and his entourage.
You can imagine what the Governor looked like in a “keke”. Yes! He mounted keke through the bush paths, to all his destinations within the community.
Governor Soludo shared the story behind his decision to run for the office of Governor in the first place.
The Governor dropped his message of peace for the warring communities in Olumbanasa, asking them to pursue peace if they want sustainable progress and development.
He revealed the dearness of Anambra West to his mind, pointing out that the visit is a fulfillment of his campaign promise, and expressed optimism of assessing the Anambra West Local Government headquarters by road, by the end of December.
He Governor assured of helping them realize their fullest potentials by rebuilding the needed infrastructures, security, among others, and encouraged them to endeavour to export their communal way of living.
Among the places visited by the Governor were Alla, Odekpe, Onugwa and Igbedor.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Protocol, Hon Chinedu Nwoye, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Transportation, Barr Patricia Igwebuike, Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, among others accompanied the Governor who was joyfully received by the Traditional Rulers and community members.
