Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Chief Press Secretary to Anambra State Governor, Christian Aburime, has described Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent trip to Olumbanasa as a clear show of kindness, empathy and compassion rare among political leaders.
Olumbanasa is a community hidden in Anambra West Local Government Area of the State. It is known for its poor access road and absence of other basic amenities.
Soludo during his one-day work visit to the council area, journeyed on about two-hour boat trip to the location and on arrival, navigated the communities with the help of a tricycle (Keke) and an Okada.
Among the places he visited were Alla, Odekpe, Onugwa and Igbedor communities.
Encomium has continued to greet the governor’s decision to embark on the visit with Aburime noting that it was first in the history of the state for a governor to visit the people of the area.
“No Governor in the history of Anambra has dared this adventure. None, as a matter of fact, has visited these neglected communities.
“One striking thing about the trip was the fact that Governor Soludo could have opted to embark on the trip by helicopter, because of the difficult terrain. No! He chose to go by boat; this, in his words is for him to appreciate what Ndị Anambra living there, go through on a daily basis.
“It was a trip of more than two hours on the river Niger. But, as expected, the journey was filled with excitement, anticipation and a sense of adventure and most importantly, it afforded the Governor the opportunity to play host to the communities’ stakeholders, journalists and locals.
“The boat navigated through open waters, signalling the very first time a sitting Governor of the state would visit Olumbanasa. On disembarking from the boat, the Governor boarded keke and Okada to navigate the difficult terrain.
“You can imagine what the Governor looked like in a boat, keke and Okada. Yes! As he rides keke then Okada through the bush paths, to all his destinations within the community. The Governor literally threw aside officialdom and mingled freely with everyone in the communities,” Aburime said.
Continuing, the CPS said: “Soludo has 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 assured of helping the people of the various communities to realise their fullest potentials by rebuilding the needed infrastructures, security, among others.”
