Soludo: Youths, Women Hold Key to National Development
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, on Monday declared that women and youths hold the key to meaningful development in Anambra State and Nigeria, emphasizing the need for their active participation in governance and nation-building.
Soludo made the assertion while addressing women coordinators of the City Boys Movement during an interactive session held at the Government House (Light House), Awka.
The governor stated that his administration is deliberately creating opportunities for greater inclusion of women and young people in government and public affairs, describing them as critical stakeholders in the state’s development agenda.
Expressing satisfaction with the activities of the women’s wing of the movement, Soludo commended their level of engagement and commitment, noting that their growing participation demonstrates the capacity of women to contribute significantly to political mobilization and social transformation.
He urged the women to take ownership of their future and actively shape it in line with their aspirations, describing his administration’s efforts as both a social re-engineering project and a reform-driven mission aimed at building a more prosperous and equitable society through strong institutional and legal frameworks.
The governor warned that the future of coming generations is at stake and stressed the importance of political consciousness and strategic coordination.
He urged members of the movement to clearly understand their responsibilities in advancing the interests of Anambra State and the Southeast.
Reflecting on the region’s political trajectory, Soludo expressed the hope that Ndigbo would avoid making political decisions that could diminish their influence at the national level.
He emphasized the need for political pragmatism and engagement that would deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Addressing the political landscape, the governor stated that politics is ultimately about negotiation, influence, and strategic participation.
According to him, people do not necessarily receive what they deserve in politics, but rather what they are able to negotiate and bargain for.
In a democratic system, he noted, votes remain the most powerful bargaining tool available to citizens.
He challenged the coordinators to assess and strengthen their political bargaining power through effective mobilization, grassroots engagement, and strategic organization.
Drawing lessons from the 2023 presidential election, Soludo observed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured victory despite receiving limited electoral support from the Southeast.
He therefore charged the women to intensify mobilization efforts ahead of future elections, particularly towards securing stronger support for President Tinubu’s administration and any potential re-election bid.
The governor maintained that political participation should be driven by the objective of maximizing developmental benefits for society, arguing that strategic engagement with the centre remains essential for attracting opportunities, investments, and federal support to the region.
Soludo pledged his full support to the group, affirming that it has a significant role to play in the political and developmental future of the state.
He assured members that his administration would continue to support their initiatives and efforts.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the group, the Anambra State Women Coordinator of the City Boys Movement, Mrs. Adaora Soludo, stated that the movement’s primary objective is to actively promote and support the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
She noted that the group is strategically positioned to serve as a bridge between government and the people by helping to communicate government policies, facilitate grassroots engagement, and ensure that developmental initiatives are understood and felt at the community level.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake; the Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mrs. Amaka Obi; and other government officials and stakeholders.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for members of the movement, a support platform aligned with the Tinubu administration, to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening their grassroots structures and expanding their impact across communities in Anambra State.
This version adopts a more professional news-reporting style, improves sentence construction, removes repetitions, and strengthens the political analysis and strategic context without altering the substance of the story.
