Halftime: Soludo on track to transform Anambra into Africa’s Dubai, Taiwan – Mefor

Dr. Law Mefor, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, has said that Governor Charles Soludo is steadily advancing toward his vision of transforming Anambra into the “Dubai and Taiwan of Africa,” a key promise made during his campaign. However, he noted that such an ambitious transformation cannot be fully achieved within just four years.

Speaking with Business Hallmark’s Obinna Ezugwu, Dr. Mefor argued that Governor Soludo has done more than enough to deserve a second term, having delivered on key promises in his manifesto—and even exceeded expectations in areas he did not originally pledge to address.

Excerpts:

When you assess what the Soludo administration has achieved in the past three years, do you believe he has done enough to earn a second term?

Absolutely. I don’t know if you’ve seen the People’s Manifesto, where Governor Soludo outlined his vision for Anambra. If you haven’t, I’ll gladly share it with you. The truth is, he has not only fulfilled every promise in that manifesto but gone far beyond it. He has executed many impactful projects, policies, and programmes that were never even part of his original campaign pledges.

For instance, he didn’t promise free antenatal care, free delivery for pregnant women, or free education—but he’s doing all of that. He didn’t mention bursaries during his campaign, yet that’s currently in place. In essence, he has done more than enough to merit reelection.

And the people agree. In recent weeks, there’s been an overwhelming wave of endorsements across the state. Various groups, including students, came together to purchase his nomination form. The Students’ Union alone contributed N2 million. That speaks volumes. It’s not just Soludo seeking reelection – it’s the people of Anambra urging him to continue. They see the impact and want it sustained.

Moreover, his long-term vision – transforming Anambra into Africa’s Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley – can’t be accomplished in four years. But in these first three, he has laid a very solid foundation. What we are witnessing now is just the beginning of a much bigger transformation.

What would you consider his strongest legacy over the past three years?

That’s a tough one. Honestly, it’s hard to single out one achievement because many of them are iconic and transformative. Is it the new Government House? The Solution Fun City? The dual carriageways? The Ekwulobia flyover? Or his youth empowerment initiatives like the “One Youth, Two Skills” programme? It’s an avalanche of legacies.

Let me highlight a few for you to consider:

Anambra was created in 1991, yet until now, there was no proper Government House. Today, we have a brand-new Government House—arguably the most impressive in Nigeria. It’s a sprawling complex with over 50 buildings. There’s the Governor’s Office, a new secretariat, a presidential lodge for visiting dignitaries, a banquet hall, a government theatre, and commissioners’ quarters. It’s more than an administrative centre – it’s a potential tourist attraction. I call it “Obi Anambra.”

Then there’s the Solution Fun City in Awka, the biggest in West Africa. It’s a four-in-one project comprising an amusement park, a water park, a family fun house, and a country club. It offers a one-stop leisure experience for children, families, business elites, and tourists alike. It’s Governor Soludo’s signature style – big ideas executed with excellence.

And that’s just the beginning. Coming up next is a Marriott International Hotel—Anambra’s first five-star hotel and the first of its kind in the entire Southeast. It’s a 10-storey building and will further position Awka as a leisure and business hub.

Insecurity was a major concern in Anambra. The formation of Agụnchemba helped curb it, but there have been allegations of extrajudicial killings by some of its members. How do you respond to this?

I’ve heard those allegations. But let’s be honest—among Christ’s 12 disciples, there was a Judas. If he couldn’t avoid betrayal, then in a team of 2,000 operatives, it’s plausible to find one or two bad eggs.

The important thing is that the state government has inaugurated a Security Supervisory Committee to monitor and sanitize the system. Their job is to root out misconduct, and they are doing just that.

But let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture—Agụnchemba and Operation Udoka have restored peace to Anambra. It’s been a while since we heard of major kidnappings, cult clashes, or armed robbery. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re no longer where we were. We are on a clear path to reclaiming our reputation as the safest state in Nigeria—a title Anambra held five years ago.

We also passed the Anambra Homeland Security Law in 2025, which criminalizes cultism and all forms of violence, regardless of political affiliation. The days of glorifying wealth without work are over. Those who peddle fraudulent ideologies—fake pastors, native doctors, and miracle merchants—are being held accountable. We are cracking down on them.

What else makes this administration’s approach to security different?

It’s the most comprehensive and forward-looking security architecture in Nigeria today. It combines kinetic and non-kinetic strategies with a robust operational, legal, and governance framework.

We’ve integrated technology into our security efforts. There are now AI-driven command and control centres with some of the best tracking systems in the country. If a criminal uses a phone to negotiate ransom or coordinate attacks, we’ll trace the call and get to them. We’ve already apprehended many using this method.

We’ve also introduced a whistleblower policy. If you see something, say something—call 5111. If your tip is valid, you could earn up to N5 million. Several citizens have already benefited from this, and their information has led to the arrest of dangerous elements.

Anambra is once again getting security right. And we’re committed to staying on this upward trajectory until Anambra regains its full status as the safest state in Nigeria.