His vision of a livable, prosperous homeland is evolving from blueprint to reality….

By Christian ABURIME

The 2025 Christmas has come and gone, yet its beautiful memories in Anambra linger with a different fragrance. It was not just the aroma of jollof rice, spicy nkwobi, fried chicken, barbecued fish and roasted goat meat from bustling kitchens, or the sparkling glow from fireworks that painted the night sky. Woven into the familiar festive season was something fresh: the crisp, clean smell of possibility under the unique leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR

For a unique season garnished with an extravaganza of Onwa Dezember special activities, Ndi Anambra celebrated Christmas not in spite of their environment, but because of it. The story of the 2025 festivities was less about routine celebration and more about the rediscovery of home, a renaissance scripted by the deliberate governance philosophy of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in always putting Anambra first.

The symphony of this new positive normality began on the roads. The homecoming, once a prologue of frustration, became a smooth overture. The extensive, ongoing work on federal and state roads, from the now-free-flowing Amansea-Ekwulobia corridor to the elegance of the new Awka flyover, meant families arrived smiling, not frayed.

Traffic, though present, was orderly, managed by a visible and professional ARTMA aA CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER IN ANAMBRA: HOW SOLUDO’S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IS CHANGING THE TIDEnd good security network that hummed with quiet efficiency. The palpable sense of security of lives and property was the foundation upon which every other joy was built.

Parents watched their children play with a relaxed ease forgotten in previous years, a silent affirmative nod to a government that had made safety its foremost covenant.

Awka, the capital, was the beating heart of this transformation. The world-class infrastructure was no longer just a political promise but a lived experience. The meticulously landscaped recreational facilities like the rejuvenated Alex Ekwueme Square and fresh-mint Solution Fun City became the epicentres of communal joy.

Families spread out on the lush green lawns for picnics under the festive lights. Children squealed in delight on new, safe playground equipment, while teenagers challenged one another on courts that gleamed under the December sun. The atmosphere was absolutely conducive and relaxing; it was a public space that commanded pride, not apology.

Beyond the capital, the spirit echoed in other communities. In Onitsha, the bustling commercial nerve, the improved sanitation and clearer roads allowed for a seamless flow of commerce and celebration. The famous markets were a behive of happy bargaining, free from the usual chaotic logjams, aside from frantic last-minute shopping. In Nnewi, the glow of new streetlights meant the festive lights from homes and businesses competed with the stars, not with darkness. The happy atmosphere was economic as much as social; small businesses thrived, as much as fun activities flowed.

Evening brought a different kind of magic. The decorative light displays on major roundabouts and public buildings were beacons of a new aesthetic consciousness. They encouraged evening strolls, family outings for fun, and spontaneous gatherings. The soundscape was a blend of classic Christmas carols from open churches, the latest hits from speakers at makeshift lounges, and, most dominantly, the sound of laughter, unforced, secure, and communal.

Indeed, Governor Soludo’s vision of a livable, prosperous homeland is evolving from blueprint to reality. His administration’s relentless focus on building the physical and social infrastructure, the roads, the security, the parks, the lights, created the stage. Ndi Anambra, renowned for their irrepressible spirit, provided the magnificent performance.

Last Christmas in Anambra was more than a holiday; it was a statement. It was the sound of a people, long yearning for a foundation of basic order and beauty, finding it and erupting in celebration upon it. It proved that effective governance, putting the people and their environment first in all ramifications, doesn’t just build roads; it builds happiness. It builds memories. It builds a home worth coming back to, not just at Christmas, but for all the days to come.

The festivities have ended, but the conducive, relaxing, and happy atmosphere remains, a new normal and a lasting gift.