I really did not imagine this level of detailing in project supervision or monitoring by the Chief Executive of a State until Governor Soludo hit the ground running in a manner never before seen. For every action, Nwa Mgbafor has a supporting nugget that explains his disposition. For example, when you ask him why he fiercely chases after Contractors visiting sites and throwing himself in whole into every project from the design stage through to execution, he tells you, “an unsupervised task is a task not given”.
This is why he would rest for just three days during the Yuletide (24th,25th,26th), and set out again on the 27th to attend to projects, files and a few social events. Working with such a man is arduous, albeit with so much promise that he would leave you better than he picked you. He Bequeaths an excellent work ethic hinged on solid professional experience, this is one reason no one wants to leave the Solution Team even where incentives are low for self aggrandizement and very high on selfless service for public good.
While I call him “Odenigbo”, especially when I’m in awe of his ability to wade through tasks I find both mentally and physically exhausting, I frantically longed for a befitting name that really explains the man Soludo — his strength and motivation, passion and determination. Yesterday, Sunday the 16th of February, 2025 at Ekwulobia where we were on inspection of various infrastructural projects, a voice from the usually random crowd of locals who always gathered to cheer their Governor echoed loudly like those that spoke to John De Baptist announcing the divinity of Christ — “Oluatuegwu!”
This is it! Oluatuegwu in English loosely translates to “the one who never fears a task”. This explains a Soludo without any shadow of turning. Soludo’s 35 months of experimenting the potency of the politics of development as a better alternative to the politics of stomach infrastructure is sufficient proof that the globally reputed Economist not only came prepared, but truly embodies the Solution Ndi Anambra have come to accept by empirical consensus is here with them.
— Mazi Ejimofor Opara PhD.
Writes from Awka, the Anambra State Capital.