*Human Capital And Social Agenda*
The ground-breaking initiatives of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, on Human Capital & Social Agenda in his two years of governance of Anambra State may need more than an entire book to document. The achievements have been highly qualitative and grandly quantitative. Let’s start with Mr. Governor’s Free quality education
*Education*
Governor Soludo broke the dynasty of poverty by providing accessible and qualitative education especially to the poor. He declared free education in public schools from early childhood care to junior secondary school (JS III) and eliminated concealed fees and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levies for truly accessible education for all. He significantly reduced senior secondary school fees to N5,000, thus ensuring widespread accessibility to secondary education. This policy has precipitated unprecedented migration from border communities of Anambra State and private schools to our public schools.

A forward-looking champion of education, Governor Soludo built a competent teaching force and revitalized the school environment. Anambra State recruited 5,000 highly qualified teachers on merit to alleviate shortages in public schools, thereby elevating the standard of education delivery and fostering an environment of academic excellence. There is the recruitment of additional 3,000 skilled educators through meticulous screening tests, thus reinforcing the commitment to improving education standards. Approved the upgrade of 60 schools to smart schools to be completed in 2024
The state-wide renovation of schools included: Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo; Umuchu Special Education Centre; and Onitsha Special Education Centre, Odoakpu, Onitsha. The reconstruction of storm-affected buildings at Justice Chinwuba Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri, was undertaken as well as overseeing the construction of multi-storey buildings at Urban Boys Secondary School, Fegge, Onitsha.

The introduction of Community Partnership Model in education got into gear through a Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP), model fostering community ownership of public schools through a club of patrons in each community. Over 30 philanthropists have expressed interest in the project by actively contributing to school construction and improvement.
The national and international recognition bestowed on brilliant Anambra State students has been outstanding. Anambra students achieved four top awards at the National President’s Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship and emerged victorious at the International MalaysiaNigeria Debate Championship. Anambra teachers earned five top awards at the October 5, 2022 President’s Teachers Award in Abuja.

The government provided N1.524 billion funding support to mission public schools in the state and N700 million for mission tertiary institutions, totaling N2.224billion. For the first time, schools owned by Pentecostal Churches also received grant by Anambra State Government.
*Health*
Governor Soludo has ended the ugly phenomenon of hospitals without medical professionals. Proficient medical personnel recruitment came on the front burner when the government employed 1000 skilled medical professionals as a demonstration of the commitment to the provision of comprehensive healthcare services.

Governor Soludo introduced free antenatal and delivery services at government healthcare facilities, thus alleviating financial burdens and showing government’s concern about reduction of infant mortality. Some 42,076 women have received/receiving free antenatal services in public hospitals now. Consequently, the number of women who deliver in public hospitals, have gone up from average of 200 a month before the policy in August 2023, increasing phenomenally every month and now to over 2,000 in February, 2024, with total free deliveries so far 9,853 and zero mortality (with about 44% of beneficiaries as non-indigenes
Health infrastructure expansion was given the needed fillip through the construction of five new general hospitals in Okpoko, Anaku, Fegge, Oroma-Etiti, and Enugwu-Otu. All five of these hospitals are in Anambra North Senatorial Zone while the Governor is from Anambra South. Purely driven by the needs assessment of the people, Soludo changed the trend where previous Governors would concentrate developments in their senatorial zones.

The government introduced telemedicine for online medical consultations, thereby extending healthcare access to remote areas and contributing to universal health coverage. In the drive toward women’s health empowerment, Anambra State inaugurated 40 cervical cancer screening centres, thus prioritizing women’s health with essential services and early detection.
The government has won more plaudits on the medical front through the ongoing modernization of Umueri, Ekwulobia, and Enugu-Ukwu General Hospitals with state-of-the-art dental units for comprehensive healthcare services. The government has established the Anambra State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS) for swift and efficient responses during medical emergencies. The Enhanced Disease Surveillance Unit has strengthened the response unit for disease surveillance by successfully managing measles, monkey-pox, and Lassa fever outbreaks.

A state-of-the-art Drugs Quality Control Lab has been established at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) for pharmaceutical quality control to ensure the safety and efficacy of medications. The government has also set up a Medical Oxygen Production Plant and Endoscopy unit at the General Hospital, Onitsha, thus enhancing healthcare and diagnostic capabilities.
Dedicated dog-bite treatment centres have been established and strategically located in each senatorial zone to address and mitigate the impact of dog bites, coupled with a free Anti-Rabies Vaccination programme that distributed 191 vaccines to 65 patients in 2023, reflecting a comprehensive commitment to public health and safety.
Anambra State is currently optimizing 17 general hospitals’ laboratories across the state, thus ensuring state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities. The administration undertook an extensive initiative to equip 326 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) with essential laboratory resources, thereby demonstrating a commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure at the primary level. The government established a specialized Eye Centre in Nise dedicated to providing expert and comprehensive eye-care services to the community and beyond.
There has been a comprehensive upgrade of the School of Health Technology, Obosi, by providing demonstration rooms, classrooms, administrative offices, and securing accreditation for seven new departments, thus reflecting commitment to academic excellence and healthcare education expansion. The government activated the Dialysis Centre at General Hospital Onitsha, thereby strengthening the capacity to deliver vital renal care services.
*Youth*
The “One Youth, Two Skills” programme can be likened to a revolutionary movement in youth empowerment in Anambra State. It was unprecedented for Anambra State to launch a comprehensive youth entrepreneurship and vocational training programme with over N2 billion allocated as seed funding for 5,000 trainees. An additional N2.5 billion working capital loan is accessible through the Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA), thus demonstrating dedication to supporting entrepreneurial aspirations.
In the field of sports development, the government established the Solution Football Club, the state football team competing in the Nigeria National League. This marked a significant step in grassroots sports development and fostering a football culture within the state. The administration supported the organization of the Traders’ Cup and ASATU Cup with significant cash rewards. Anambra State has from time produced prominent national football stars and athletes such as Godwin Achebe, Emmanuel Okala, Dominic Ezeani, Mikel Obi, Mary Onyali etc. Governor Soludo is today extending the frontiers by sponsoring the younger generation.
*Technology*
The government has concluded a feasibility study for the Solution Innovation District (SID), Anambra State’s own Silicon Valley, thus underscoring the dedication to advancing technology.
The inauguration of the SID centre has served to provide Startups and tech enthusiasts with a fully operational co-working space that will position Anambra as a hub for technological advancement and entrepreneurial success.
The Anambra Digital Tribe Programme has been launched as a forward-thinking initiative, empowering 20,000 young individuals with vital digital skills, thereby demonstrating commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Global recognition for Startups is coming apace. ForisLabs, Anambra Startup initiative, successfully participated in Silicon Valley’s Techcrunch Startup Battlefield, showcasing the government’s commitment to elevating local Startups onto the global stage. The participation significantly contributed to the recognition and triumph of entrepreneurial endeavours within Anambra by adverting on the world stage Anambra’s steadfast dedication to fostering innovation and success in the Startup ecosystem.
*Women*
Combatting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is a standout Anambra policy. The government has established SGBV units in Magistrate and High Courts as well as in the Ministry of Women Affairs with notable results. SGBV has intervened in 4,350 cases, prosecuted 2,096 cases, settled 2,250 cases through mediation, and the resolution of four cases in court.
Governor Soludo stands rock solid on the Human Capital & Social Agenda pillar.
*PAUL NWOSU*
Commissioner for Information,
Anambra State