Shettima hails Soludo’s nation‑building as Obasanjo, Jonathan attend historic second‑term inauguration in Awka

Cityscope, Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 17, 2026 — Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has applauded Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, for his immense contributions to nation‑building and fostering unity. Shettima made the remarks today during the swearing‑in of Soludo and his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, for a second term in Awka.

Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the well‑attended event, Shettima noted that the APC‑led government has benefited greatly from Soludo’s constructive advice. He described the governor as a man of ideas and honour who, despite entering office at a time when many politicians compromised integrity for relevance and sowed discord, remained committed to national growth and development.

The Vice President hailed Soludo as a specialist of insight, a restless thinker, and a public intellectual of uncommon range. He said, “That is what it means to be in the business of nation‑building. It means placing the welfare of the federation above the vanity of partisan fences. It means understanding that Nigeria is too precious a vessel to be abandoned to the storms simply because the rowers wear different colours.”

The inauguration was graced by dignitaries, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, underscoring the national significance of the occasion.

Soludo’s first tenure recorded landmark milestones, including Nigeria’s largest state budget, urban renewal in Okpoko, infrastructure expansion, improved security, healthcare and education reforms, economic diversification, and environmental management — achievements the Professor of Economics and former Central Bank of Nigeria governor described as Anambra’s “return to winning ways.”