By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was moments of excitement, celebration, and deep appreciation as women of Enugwu-Otu Aguleri and Eziagulu-Otu (both in Anambra East Local Government Area) trooped out en masse to laud and endorse Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for a second term, passing a vote of confidence on his transformative leadership in the state.
The women announced their endorsement on separate occasions of their 2025 August Meetings, where they commended the Governor’s intervention in critical infrastructure in their communities, as well as his recognition of their area through the appointment of their son, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, as Commissioner for Power and Water Resources in his administration.
The gatherings, which attracted dignitaries from within and outside the area, were rich in culture, colour, and camaraderie. They also featured cultural dances, displays, fundraising activities, launching of community almanacs, among other activities that blended the celebrations with the spirit of communal solidarity and development.
Speaking at the Enugwu-Otu Aguleri event, Commissioner Julius Chukwuemeka of the Ministry of Power and Water Resources, who was warmly received by the women, praised them for their developmental drive and reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Soludo’s administration to inclusive growth. He pointedly reminded the people that the spot where he had parked his vehicle for the event would have been impossible to access in the past, as the area used to be an inaccessible terrain in the past, since no tarred road existed there until Soludo’s administration constructed one. According to him, the newly constructed access road is highly indicative of the Governor’s commitment to the development of rural and riverine communities.
The Commissioner, fondly called “Ọkụ na Mmiri” by the people, also pointed to the solar-powered borehole at the venue of the event, which now supplies 24/7 clean water, describing it as another tangible proof of the Governor’s interventions, among other impactful interventions so far made by the Solution Government in restoring pipe-borne water to major cities and communities in the state. On the power sector, he also hinted on some achievements of the Solution Government in the area, noting that some communities in Anambra East and West, such as Enugwu-Otu, Eziagulu-Otu, and Mkpunando, which had never enjoyed electricity since creation, are now being connected to the national grid through Soludo’s ongoing rural electrification projects.
While reaffirming Governor Soludo’s commitment to sustaining the tempo of multi-sectoral development in the area and the entire state, Commissioner Chukwuemeka, who also hinted that it was the APGA government connected the area with gigantic bridge; further urged the people to continue supporting Soludo’s government, describing him as a visionary leader and jinx breaker who has broken many jinx in the state, including the jinx of neglect in the riverine areas.
Ahead of the November 8 governorship election in the state, the Commissioner called on the people to reciprocate the Governor’s gestures and translate their appreciation into massive support to the Governor during the November 8 governorship election in the state, assuring that more developmental projects would follow. He further advised them not to be deceived by political merchants who may come to them with fake promises during the electioneering campaign.
The Commissioner was joined at the event by Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe, former member representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency, who equally applauded Soludo’s style of governance and his infrastructural strides.
Hon. Obidigwe thanked the Governor for appointing their son as Commissioner, describing it as a source of pride for the people. He further urged the women and the community to repay the Governor’s goodwill by standing firm with him voting and massively voting for him in the forthcoming election.
Earlier, during the kola nut breaking ceremony, the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Emmanuel Ejimofor, praised Governor Soludo’s developmental efforts in the community and commended him for appointing their son as Commissioner in his administration, describing it as well-deserved and a dream come true for the community. He also commended the Commissioner for his efforts in facilitating development in the community, describing him as a proud son of the community and a torchbearer of development.
Also speaking, the President-General of the Women’s Wing of the Enugwu-Otu Development Union, Dr. Mrs. Iwuno Juliana Onyedikachukwu, gave an overview of the event; explaining that they use the August Meeting to deliberate on issues affecting them as women, reassess themselves on the scale of being responsible and virtuous women, as well as explore how they can contribute meaningfully to the development of the community.
The woman PG, who appreciated the women for coming out en masse, also highlighted some of the things achieved by the Women’s Union under her leadership. While attesting to all the developmental efforts of the Soludo Administration in the area, she specifically hailed the administration for making healthcare services free, while also commended the Commissioner for his regular support to the rural women. She further declared the women’s vote of confidence on the Soludo Administration, assuring him of maximum support come November 8.
In their separate remarks, some other members of Enugwu-Otu Aguleri recounted noted that for decades, their community was cut off from basic amenities like roads, water, and electricity. They attested that Soludo’s administration has rewritten that history, citing other ongoing projects and the visible impact of government presence in the area.
The event also featured goodwill messages from some other personalities, as well as the famous Uyaka cultural dance, among other cultural displays.
Similarly, at the Eziagulu-Otu August Meeting, Commissioner Chukwuemeka, who recounted his early days as a village boy till he emerged as the Best Graduating Student in the entire Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University during his set, counted it as a privilege to hail from that area, and also vowed never to forget his root. He applauded the women for their unity and developmental spirit, particularly in reviving and upholding their cultural heritage, the healthy competition among them and other communities’ women groups in the area, as well as their decision to embark on the construction of a community market, which will be the first of its kind in the community.
While assuring the people that the recent incident that affected electricity supply in the area is currently being addressed and will be resolved within one month, he used the occasion to encourage indigenes in the diaspora to embrace Governor Soludo’s “Think Home” philosophy and invest in their communities, assuring the women of his continued support in achieving their developmental goals.
The women of Eziagulu-Otu, speaking through their leadership, similarly declared total support for Governor Soludo and passed a vote of confidence in his administration. They praised his interventions in power, water, health, and infrastructure, noting that his government has restored dignity and hope to communities previously abandoned for decades.
The event, attended by notable personalities from within and outside the community, was also filled with cultural displays, and fundraising for developmental projects, reflecting the unity and resilience of the people.
With the endorsements from both Enugwu-Otu and Eziagulu-Otu women, it was evident that Governor Soludo’s light of grassroots impact is shining brightly across communities, with the masses speaking with one voice of reason ahead the November 8 Anambra guber election.
More photos from the event:
