By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has described former Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof Chukwuma Soludo, as a man with the Igbo spirit.

In a congratulatory message to Soludo, Obiano described the Aguata-born Professor as someone that has made a lot of achievements in life despite losing his mother at the age of 8, and raised by a father that was a mere driver in a local company.

Obiano in a statement by the Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, C Don Adinuba, said: “This is a typical Igbo story; a determination to not only succeed, but also excels in different endeavours.

“On account of sheer brilliance, hard work and God’s grace, Soludo became Nigeria’s most successful and revolutionary CBN governor, a full Economics professor at 38 and author of several books, articles and conference papers across the globe.

“For someone who attended a primary school in Isuofia, then a rustic town without basic amenities, and later high school in Uga, both in Aguata Local Government Area, it is an achievement of great proportions that he became the only African thinker and scholar chosen as a member of the United Nations Panel of Experts to Review the Global Financial System in the wake of the 2008 global recession.

“He brought a CBN branch to Awka, and as a result, not only helped to develop our state capital but also saved our people the time and resources and risks of going to places like Benin and Enugu to bring cash to banks in the state.”

Obiano, who spoke at a low-key birthday ceremony organised for the former CBN governor at his (Obiano’s) Aguleri residence said that Soludo remains very humble in spite of his international achievements.

In his response, Soludo observed that Anambra had the lowest poverty index and the lowest unemployment rate in the country.

He said that if elected next governor of the state, he will consolidate on the existing foundation laid by Obiano.

He added: “As far as education, rate of rice development, immunization, security, the fight against COVID-19 and other areas are concerned, Anambra State has no serious rival.”

The birthday party was attended by the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Uche Okafor; Soludo’s running mate in the November 6 poll, Dr Onyeka Ibezim; the chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Budget, Obinna Emenaka, among others