By Christian ABURIME
It is that time of the year when mankind celebrates the winding up of a year and prepares for the dawn of a new one. Amidst the celebrations, it is also the season of counting blessings. With thousands of Ndi Anambra joining the annual homecoming this Christmas season, they will encounter a state transformed by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s progressive development agenda. The extensive reforms and infrastructure projects implemented under his administration are already enhancing the quality of life for residents in the state and will reshape the experience of home for returnees, too.
Perhaps the most immediately noticeable change will be the vastly improved road network. With 347.9 kilometres of newly asphalted roads across the state, the traditional challenges of navigating deteriorating infrastructure during the festive season have been significantly reduced. Returning families can expect smoother, safer journeys as they traverse the state to visit loved ones and attend community celebrations.
The healthcare sector improvements will also provide crucial peace of mind for those returning home. The addition of 1,000 healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, and the successful delivery of over 82,888 babies under the free antenatal programme show a robust healthcare system ready to handle the increased demands of the season The construction of five new general hospitals in the North Senatorial District, including pioneering facilities being built in Okpoko and Fegge, will ensure that quality healthcare is increasingly accessible across the state.
For parents considering a permanent return home, the education sector reforms present a compelling case. The employment of 8,115 qualified teachers and the implementation of free education from nursery to senior secondary level signal a commitment to educational excellence that rivals standards in major urban centres. This transformation of the public education system offers returning families a viable alternative to expensive private schools.
The state’s investment in youth empowerment through technology training is particularly significant. With over 70,000 youths trained in tech skills, the Solution Innovation District initiative is creating a dynamic ecosystem that could convince many young professionals that they need not seek opportunities elsewhere. The government’s support for innovation, exemplified by the 100 million Naira in cash awards to creators, suggests a forward-thinking approach to economic development.
What is more, the completion of a proper Government House after 33 years in limbo, while symbolic, represents more than just administrative progress. It reflects a broader commitment to institutional development and state pride that resonates with Ndi Anambra’s aspirations for their homeland while ensuring the state is competitive with other states in Nigeria with befitting official state houses.
Anambra is not lagging behind in tourism, too. The Solution Fun City, as West Africa’s largest amusement park, being built by the Soludo administration, offers returning families a world-class recreational facility that adds a new dimension to the Christmas homecoming experience This attraction, combined with the dramatic transformation of Okpoko from the Southeast’s largest urban slum into an emerging modern city, showcases Anambra’s progressive evolution into a state that can compete with any urban centre in Nigeria.
For many returning this Christmas, these developments represent far more than just cosmetic improvements. They indicate a comprehensive vision for a modern, livable Anambra State that could increasingly convince many to consider permanent return. The combination of improved infrastructure, quality healthcare, strong education, and economic opportunities addresses many of the factors that have historically driven migration away from the state.
Indeed, Governor Soludo’s achievements so far suggest a state in progress, one that is actively bridging the gap between the amenities of major urban centres and the cultural richness of home. These developments offer hope that future homecomings might be more than just annual routine visits; they could be returns to a state that increasingly offers the quality of life they seek elsewhere while maintaining the cultural connections they hold dear. Merry Christmas, Ndi Anambra.