President Bola Tinubu has harvested another chieftaincy as royal fathers from 179 communities of Anambra named him ‘Dike Si Mba Anambra’.
The conferment was done by the chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Ogalagidi, Eze Iweka III), at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka yesterday.
The president was in the state on a one-day working visit to commission some projects completed by the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
“This is a title from all the royal fathers in the 179 communities of Anambra State. The title is called ‘Dike si mba Anambra’, meaning ‘warrior from the Diaspora’, and it is in recognition of your good works across the country.
“We welcome you to Anambra, and we salute you for honouring our invitation. Your efforts in governance are positively impacting every nook and cranny of the country.
“With your efforts, we have seen critical infrastructure such as key roads that connect the Second Niger Bridge as well as other projects in our communities. May God continue to offer you more wisdom to steer the ship of governance,” Iweka said.
In his remarks, the president said he was deeply humbled by the honour and called for a collective effort to grow the country.
“Our diversity must lead to prosperity; we must work together to lead Nigeria. We must commit ourselves for the development of the country.
“I feel deeply honoured by the conferment of a chieftaincy title by the royal fathers of this state. Today (yesterday) is not only historic, but one which I will forever treasure for the rest of my life,” he said.
Later in a statement, presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga said in a statement that Tinubu had pledged to address key developmental challenges confronting Anambra State and the southeast region.
These include erosion, underutilisation of gas reserves and Anambra’s exclusion from the National Rail Master Plan.
Speaking at a civic reception held at Alex Ekwueme Square, Tinubu assured the people of Anambra of the federal government’s commitment to upgrading road infrastructure and fostering stronger national unity through inclusive development.
The president also addressed the state’s exclusion from the National Rail Master Plan, assuring residents that the federal ministry of transportation would rectify the omission.
“I am standing before you to say that the ministry of transportation is aware and will include the connection in the master plan and give it attention,” he stated.
He pledged federal support for ecological investments to tackle erosion and acknowledged the state’s vast gas reserves, noting that its omission from the national gas master plan would also be addressed.
Commending the state government’s efforts in improving security, Tinubu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to collaborating with Anambra and the Southeast to ensure peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
‘‘With our progressive ideological alliance, we will continue to partner with your state to deliver shared prosperity in Anambra and to all Nigerians.
‘‘As your president, I have always said and am saying the same thing now: In our national anthem, we sing, “Though tribes are tongues may differ in brotherhood, we stand”.
‘‘We will continue to be brothers. We are one family, a single family, diverse, living in the same house called Nigeria. We are only staying in different rooms. Our diversity must lead to prosperity. We must work together to be a united Nigeria,’’ he said.
Responding to Soludo’s requests, the president acknowledged the persistence of abandoned federal road projects in the region.
He emphasised the strategic importance of completing roads linking Anambra to Kogi State to facilitate easier access to the South-South and Abuja.
“Abandoned federal road projects that link Anambra to Kogi then can become the fastest gateway between Abuja and Anambra South and South-South. I agree,” he said.
During the visit, the president inaugurated the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, an academic centre named after the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
He also toured and commissioned multiple components of the Solution Fun City in Awka, including the Anambra Country Club, Family Fun House, Water Park, and Amusement Park, which were built by the Soludo administration.
Other highlights included the launch of the Government House Mini City, the Anambra Tour of Light, and the unveiling of statues honouring five of the state’s historical icons, including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Prof. Kenneth Dike, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Mrs Margaret Ekpo.
The President also commissioned the newly completed Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard.
