Solution for Good Governance Congratulates Governor Soludo on Vanguard Governor of the Year Award
By GNC CHUKWUEMEKA
In a resounding endorsement of visionary leadership and grassroots-focused governance, the civic advocacy group Solution for Good Governance (SGG) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, following his recognition as the Vanguard Governor of the Year 2024. The award, bestowed by Vanguard Newspapers, one of Nigeria’s most prominent and respected media houses, celebrates Governor Soludo’s outstanding service, reform-oriented policies, and transformative impact on Anambra State.
In its congratulatory statement, Solution for Good Governance praised Soludo as “a rare breed of technocrat in politics, whose governance model exemplifies transparency, innovation, and people-centered development.”
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This expression of support comes amidst a growing wave of national commendations, particularly from civil society organizations, traditional leaders, business groups, and political analysts, all hailing Soludo’s performance as a model for sub-national governance in Nigeria.
The Vanguard Awards are held annually to honor individuals, institutions, and governments that have shown distinction in service, leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Governor Soludo’s selection for the prestigious Governor of the Year award is a culmination of his achievements in policy reform, infrastructure, education, security, and economic transformation since assuming office in March 2022.
For the Solution for Good Governance, this accolade was not only timely but well-deserved. The group emphasized that in a country where leadership failure has often stifled progress, Governor Soludo represents a “refreshing deviation from the norm,” blending intellectual rigor with political courage.
“In just two years, Governor Soludo has demonstrated that governance, when done right, can change lives. His strategic planning, fiscal prudence, and grassroots engagement have restored public trust and set Anambra on a new course,” the group said in its message.
To the average citizen, awards and public commendations may seem like mere ceremonies, but Solution for Good Governance insists that Soludo’s award has real implications. It is both an acknowledgment of past efforts and a validation of current policies. More importantly, it inspires continuity and consistency in governance, assuring the people that their sacrifices and cooperation with government are not in vain.
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The group described the award as “a celebration of collective vision,” noting that Soludo’s achievements were not attained in isolation but through consultation, citizen feedback, and institutional reform.
“Governor Soludo has shown the courage to disrupt the old system. He is building roads in previously neglected communities, cleaning up public schools, professionalizing the civil service, and bringing innovation into public procurement. This award is also for the teachers, engineers, market women, students, and local vigilantes who have been part of this transformation,” the statement read.
As a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Soludo came into office with a deep understanding of economic management and institutional reform. Yet, translating national expertise into local realities is never easy. However, Governor Soludo has managed to bridge that gap.
Under his leadership, Anambra State has witnessed major transformations in:
- Road Infrastructure: Over 250 kilometers of roads have either been completed or are under construction, with a focus on rural connectivity and major commercial corridors.
- Urban Renewal: Projects like the Onitsha Riverfront revitalization, drainage rehabilitation, and waste-to-energy initiatives have redefined the urban ecosystem.
- Healthcare and Education: The recruitment of 5,000 teachers and 300 medical personnel, along with the launch of tech-based educational reforms and upgrades to primary healthcare centers.
- Digital Governance: Deployment of e-governance platforms for payroll, tax collection, and citizen services, creating transparency and reducing leakages.
- Security and Public Safety: Reinforcement of community policing and operational synergy between the vigilante services and state police command.
These achievements—rooted in meticulous planning and execution—are at the heart of what Solution for Good Governance considers “performance governance.”
Solution for Good Governance, a non-partisan civic group advocating for democratic values, accountability, and service delivery, noted that Soludo’s approach checks all the boxes of internationally recognized governance benchmarks:
- Transparency: Soludo regularly publishes state budgets and expenditures, inviting public scrutiny.
- Participation: Town hall meetings, stakeholder consultations, and youth summits are routinely held to involve citizens.
- Responsiveness: Quick intervention in flooding, community needs, and policy bottlenecks through task forces and digital reporting.
- Rule of Law: Reinforcement of civil service rules, land-use regulations, and anti-corruption protocols.
- Equity and Inclusiveness: Gender-sensitive policies, support for vulnerable populations, and special incentives for youth innovation.
- Efficiency: Streamlining ministries and agencies for productivity, adopting lean budgeting, and cutting governance waste.
The group particularly commended the governor’s initiative to transition Anambra into a “liveable and prosperous homeland” with emphasis on sustainability and long-term planning.
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According to Solution for Good Governance, civil society must not only act as watchdogs but also as facilitators and validators of progress. The organization disclosed that it had been tracking Anambra’s budget implementation, citizen feedback loops, and procurement compliance for the last 18 months, and Soludo’s administration scored consistently above 80% in all benchmarks.
They noted that, unlike previous administrations where developmental projects were arbitrarily awarded and poorly executed, the current administration conducts needs-based planning, employs due process, and deploys GIS tools to track infrastructural progress.
One of the group’s spokespersons, Mrs. Nkiru Ezeanya, stated:
“We don’t base our congratulatory message on media hype. We base it on facts and numbers. Soludo’s Anambra is a working Anambra.”
In many parts of Nigeria, citizens have grown disillusioned with the failure of elected leaders to meet basic obligations. Yet, Anambra under Soludo is slowly proving that good governance is not a myth. From revenue generation to traffic control, civil service reforms to agriculture, the system is becoming responsive.
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The Solution for Good Governance believes that such a turnaround is a result of political will and leadership discipline. They expressed hope that Soludo’s success story would inspire other governors to raise their governance standards.
They also called on development partners, donor agencies, and federal bodies to support Anambra’s efforts in transforming into a model subnational economy.
While the Vanguard award is a moment of celebration, Solution for Good Governance stressed that it should serve as a motivator rather than a comfort zone. The group urged Governor Soludo to remain focused, transparent, and inclusive in his governance.
“With great recognition comes great responsibility. The people are watching. The youth are hoping. Let this award deepen your resolve to do more and better,” the group advised.
They also recommended the establishment of a Citizens’ Accountability Desk in all 21 local governments to serve as a bridge between communities and the state government.
In a separate address, the group called on Ndi Anambra to continue supporting the Soludo administration with patience, constructive criticism, and civic responsibility. They emphasized that the success of any leader is a reflection of the citizens’ cooperation.
To the broader Nigerian public, the organization encouraged replication of Soludo’s model in other states. They called on Nigerians to:
- Vote based on competence, not sentiment.
- Demand budget performance from local governments.
- Support leaders with vision and integrity.
- Shun misinformation and political thuggery.
The congratulatory message from Solution for Good Governance to Governor Soludo is more than a routine gesture—it is a reflection of the shifting paradigm in Nigerian politics. A new era is emerging where performance, not propaganda, wins awards. Where impact, not incumbency, determines popularity.
Governor Soludo’s Vanguard Governor of the Year Award marks not just personal success but a communal victory. It symbolizes what is possible when a leader aligns vision with execution, when technocratic insight meets public empathy, and when civil society holds governance accountable.
As Solution for Good Governance rightly puts it:
“Good governance is not a miracle. It is a method. Soludo is using that method to redefine leadership in Nigeria.”
