NIGERIA: Soludo Holds Thanksgiving Service To Mark End Of First Term

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has held an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark the end of his first term in office.

The service took place on Sunday at the International Convention Centre ahead of his second-term inauguration scheduled for March 17.

The event, themed “Leading with Wisdom and Integrity,” brought together clerics from various Christian denominations as well as government officials and political leaders.

Speaking at the service, Soludo thanked the people of Anambra for their support throughout his first term and expressed optimism about the state’s future.

“We have come this far together with massive support from Ndi Anambra, and we promised not to disappoint the people as we march into our next journey,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming the state into a prosperous and livable destination.

“I made a promise to Ndi Anambra to ensure the state becomes a liveable and prosperous homeland, a destination hub,” he said.

Soludo also emphasised the importance of inclusiveness in governance, noting that development should be driven by the value individuals contribute rather than their religion or ethnicity.

“We cannot develop any society by seeing people through how they worship. What matters is the value they bring,” he said.

He urged residents to continue supporting the government as his administration begins another four-year term.

The thanksgiving service featured sermons and prayers from clerics including Francis Wale Oke, National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and Alexander Ibezim, Bishop of Awka Diocese.

Dignitaries at the event included former governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, alongside members of the state ex

ecutive and legislature.