By Polycarp Onwubiko
A new non-political support group called "Soludo Vanguard" has emerged. The group, comprising the Anambra State branch of NULGE, retired and serving local government workers, converged at the Local Government Service Commission, Awka, for its inauguration.
In his remarks, the National
Coordinator of Soludo Vanguard, Hon. Azubike Okoye, a prominent political
stalwart, Member 1 of the Statutory Commission, and former member of the
Anambra State House of Assembly, while inaugurating the non-political support
group, commended the initiative of NULGE, retired, and serving local government
council workers. He praised their objective of forming the support group to
express immense gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for prioritizing their
welfare, particularly by beginning to clear the backlog of pensions and gratuities
dating back to 2014.
Earlier in his remarks, the
Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka, who convened the
non-political support group, explained that local government council staff are
apolitical and not card-carrying members of the ruling party, APGA. He
commended Governor Soludo for his humane gesture in starting, from his first
year in office, to offset the backlog of pensions and gratuities in the local
government council while also ensuring that pensions and gratuities are paid
immediately upon a worker’s retirement.
His words: "This is a
movement for workers." He stated that his administration in the local
government council has initiated what he described as the "Value Rebirth
Program," a strategic measure aligned with Public Service Rules to streamline
career progression, which had previously deviated from what it should have
been.
The Chairman, elated by the
enthusiasm of the workers in driving the proposal for grassroots mobilization
in support of Governor Soludo’s second term, commended members of the
Commission for their commitment to the support group. He urged them to mobilize
Local Government Mayors and Town Union Presidents-General to galvanize rural
dwellers to appreciate Governor Soludo’s landmark achievements and, ultimately,
turn out en masse to vote for his re-election.
His words: "Soludo’s other
name is success. He is an outstanding technocrat, and we are proud to follow
him." To further inspire the workers, he declared every Thursday as
"Soludo Vanguard Day," during which workers would wear a uniform to
work.
In her remarks, while
inaugurating the local government council coordinators, Princess Antonia
Tabansi, a lawyer and former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly,
expressed joy over the massive turnout of workers. She assured them that they
would fulfill the mandate of Soludo Vanguard.
Expressing appreciation for the
local government council workers, the lawmaker stated that their commitment
would encourage members of the Commission to passionately appeal to the
Governor to address pressing needs in the third tier of government, such as the
shortage of workers in many departments, in addition to general service
welfare.
In his remarks, the Political
Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Alex Obi Ogbolu, while commending the initiative
of the non-political support group, recalled the recruitment of over 3,600
staff during his tenure as Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission.
He described the stickers produced by the workers as "a mobile
advertisement for the mobilization and enlightenment of rural dwellers,
especially for the re-election of Governor Chukwuma Soludo."
The State Chairman of APGA,
Barrister Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, was represented by the Deputy Chairman and State
Secretary, who performed the inauguration ceremony of the Soludo Vanguard. In
his speech, the Deputy Chairman commended the local government council workers
for their great initiative in forming a support group to actualize Governor
Soludo’s re-election.
Speaking exclusively to the
press in his office, Hon. Azubike Okoye (Odenigbo Agulu and Anaocha Local
Government Area), a well-known community mobilizer and vibrant political
activist, highlighted his contributions. He was the first President-General of
Agulu Peoples Union and, during his tenure, facilitated the construction of the
multi-million Naira Agulu Town Hall.
During Governor Soludo’s
election campaign, he led the United Anambra State Youth Association and
coordinated the Women Assembly, both of which campaigned vigorously for Prof.
Chukwuma Soludo. As a state legislator, he was later appointed Chairman of the
House Committee on Election Matters.
He elaborated on the need for
Governor Soludo to be re-elected to continue the monumental infrastructural
development projects and programs that have made Anambra State the envy of
other states in the Federation. Addressing the Soludo Vanguard, he emphasized
that their role is to engage with rural dwellers who may not fully grasp the
extent of Governor Soludo’s achievements and the necessity of his re-election.
Regarding the strategic
positioning of other political party governorship aspirants, Odenigbo dismissed
them, stating that only Soludo is contesting the election. His words:
"Fear and trepidation have gripped members of other political parties who
had considered contesting the election, as they have been overwhelmed by
Governor Soludo’s monumental accomplishments."
He further stated that the
newly inaugurated security outfits, Agunechemba and Operation Udogachi, had
confounded aspirants from other political parties, as they now have no viable
counterproposal against the dynamic governance of Governor Soludo.
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