SOLUDO ATTENDS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION MASS IN AWKA, UNVEILS PLANS FOR THE POOR

By Christian ABURIME

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo says, the challenges faced by Nigeria are numerous but admits there are reasons to celebrate.

The Governor stated this when he attended mass to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Celebration at St. Patrick Cathedral, Awka.

In his speech, Governor Soludo appreciated God for the Country’s blessings, despite the challenges and unveiled his plans to better the lives of the poor Anambra residents.

The Governor emphasized that his administration is committed to providing basic amenities in health, education and other sectors, mostly because of the poor in the society.

He recalled that the state government recently recruited five thousand teachers into the school system and also currently providing antenatal and delivery care for pregnant Anambra women in government hospitals, among others. He added that his administration is determined to break the cycle of poverty in the state.

The Governor advocated that the children of the poor should have the same opportunities as the children of the rich, and that they should be offered opportunity to take their rightful place in the society.

“The children of the poor cannot attend the schools built by the church, but we are determined in Anambra for it to be a liveable and compassionate society and we are going to break the dynasty of poverty in the state.

“Next week, we have a special package and some kind of grants to encourage mission schools but we are deliberately focused on the government’s primary responsibility of giving children of the poor in public schools the best quality education.

“We are trying to help the children of the poor who are left behind. We are on our road to a liveable and prosperous homeland, having the children of the poor attending the same school with children of the rich, taught by the same teachers and have the chance to make progress in life and contribute to the development of society. This is the kind of society we envision,” he said.

The Governor advised the congregation to beware of fake news which enemies of government create on media to cause fear and panic in the state.

Earlier in a homily, the Presiding Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi, sees Nigeria as sick and broken by corruption, and in dire need of healing.

Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi, however, chose to celebrate hope that one day the country will get it right and will take its place of pride as a giant in Africa. He expressed his belief in Governor Soludo whom he said has demonstrated commitment to the vision of building a liveable a d prosperous homeland, assuring that the church will keep supporting the Governor with his vision.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim accompanied the Governor to the mass.

Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Principal Secretary, Barrister JPC Anetoh, Members of the Anambra State Executive Council, Members of Anambra State Legislature, Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Members of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Members of the Nigeria Service Civil Defense Commission amongst others also attended the mass.