By Christian ABURIME
“We have just started, and i will say you have not seen anything yet”. Gov. Soludo
On a memorable glittering night that glowed with the resplendent presence of eminent social, political and economic elite in Nigeria, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, the Governor of Anambra State, was honoured with The Sun Newspaper’s coveted ‘Governor of the Year 2024’ award at a grand ceremony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
The prestigious accolade recognises Governor Soludo’s exemplary leadership and remarkable achievements in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, security, and economic transformation within his ongoing first tenure as governor. The award was presented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, alongside The Sun Newspaper publisher, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, before an audience of distinguished guests from both public and private sectors.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Soludo expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, describing it as “a humbling experience.” He dedicated the award to the people of Anambra State, including “the keke drivers, artisans, market men and women” and his “Solution Team” cabinet members whose collective efforts have contributed to the state’s progress so far.
The erudite, dynamic, award-winning governor went further to recall his pedigree that has now become a tradition of excellence. “About 20 years ago, 8 national dailies, including the Sun Newspapers, named me ‘the Man of the year’ for our modest contributions to recalibrating the Nigerian financial institution when I held sway as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Quite fortuitously, two decades after, we are back on this stage,” Governor Soludo remarked, reflecting on his previous national recognition.
This latest honour adds to Governor Soludo’s growing collection of accolades. He was recently recognised as the best-performing governor in primary healthcare delivery in the Southeast and Nigeria by a coalition including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and UNICEF. Under his leadership, Anambra State also secured fourth position in BudgIT’s State of States 2024 Report for fiscal performance and sustainability.
The former Central Bank Governor concluded his acceptance speech with a promise of even greater achievements to come: “We have just started, and I will say you’ve not seen anything yet.” Indeed, for Ndi Anambra, the best of Governor Soludo is yet to come as he continues to transform the state in all ramifications of development. In the same mood of the moment, other co-recipients of The Sun’s Governor of the Year Award for 2024, including Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, can be proud of being in the right, winning company with Governor Soludo.
