Re: Consolidate on the achievements of your predecessors and urgently revive strategic institutions in Awka North, particularly Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu

By Obinna Sunday Ejianya
Publisher, 9News Nigeria
Chief Executive Officer, Nine Communications Nigeria Limited

His Excellency,
Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR
Executive Governor, Anambra State.
Your Excellency,
There is an old saying that continuity transforms an ordinary stone into a diamond. In true governance, enduring progress is achieved when each administration builds upon the solid foundations laid by its predecessors, rather than allowing valuable public investments to fade into neglect. The true test of leadership is not how many new projects it initiates, but how faithfully it protects, improves, and completes the legacies entrusted to its care.

It is in this spirit that I write this open letter.

First, let me acknowledge that your administration has recorded notable achievements over the past three years. Your commitment to infrastructure, urban renewal, digital governance, and economic reforms has earned recognition within and outside Anambra State. Every government deserves credit for genuine progress, and yours is no exception.

However, while pursuing new landmark projects, I respectfully submit that your administration appears to have paid insufficient attention to several strategic institutions and development initiatives established by previous administrations—particularly those of your immediate predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano.

Development should never be a relay race where each administration abandons the baton handed over by the previous one. Rather, governance should be a continuum in which every government builds upon existing foundations for the collective benefit of the people.

One area where this concern is most evident is within the Awka Capital Territory, especially the communities of Awka North, including Mgbakwu, Achalla, Amanuke, Urum, Isu Aniocha, Okpuno, and neighbouring communities.

Your Excellency, during one of your campaign engagements, you referred to parts of Awka North as “Igbo Ada Ogbenye.” It is therefore apt to use this medium to place that expression in its proper perspective and highlight that “Igbo Ada Ogbenye” literally means the Igbo should not be poor, a meaning that aptly underscores the historical role, strategic importance, and immense significance of this axis of Anambra State.

Long before the creation of the present-day Anambra State, communities such as Mgbakwu, Amanuke, Urum, Isu Aniocha, Achalla, Ugbene, Ugbenu and neighbouring towns formed one of the agricultural backbones of the old Anambra State. Blessed with fertile land and abundant water resources, they contributed immensely to food production and economic activity across what now comprises Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States.

Today, with Awka serving as the State Capital, these communities have become even more strategic. They are no longer peripheral settlements; they are integral components of the Capital Territory whose future should naturally form part of every long-term development plan.

For this reason, they deserve deliberate and sustained government investment.

Your Excellency, one of the significant visions of the previous administration was the planned expansion of development beyond the immediate urban centre of Awka into the wider capital territory.

Among the flagship projects established towards achieving that vision were Purity FM, Mgbakwu, and what later became Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, following the upgrading of the former School of Agriculture after the Federal Polytechnic, Oko attained federal status.

These institutions were not established merely as physical structures. They were conceived as long-term engines of education, economic growth, employment generation, media development, and rural transformation.

Sadly, today their condition raises serious concern.

Purity FM, once a vibrant voice serving communities across the area, has become largely inactive. Equipment has deteriorated, operations have dwindled, and what was once an important public communication platform is gradually fading into extinction. A station that once promoted government programmes, generated advertising revenue, created employment, and gave voice to the people now stands as a shadow of its original purpose.

Even more pressing is the situation at Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu.

This institution represents hope for many young people who may not secure admission into Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, or other tertiary institutions. It was intended to expand educational access while stimulating economic development within the Awka Capital Territory.

Unfortunately, despite the enormous expectations surrounding its establishment, the institution has struggled to attain the level of accreditation required to function fully as a recognised polytechnic capable of awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications across its intended programmes.

Students who enrolled with genuine hope have found themselves caught in uncertainty. Lecturers, administrators, parents, alumni, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders have repeatedly appealed for greater government intervention to strengthen the institution, improve infrastructure, provide adequate staffing, and secure the necessary accreditations.

These are not impossible objectives.
Indeed, they align perfectly with your administration’s stated commitment to education, youth empowerment, and human capital development.

I recall that during one of your visits to the institution, you encouraged the people of Mgbakwu to invest in and support the development of the school.

Your Excellency, community participation in public institutions is commendable and should always be encouraged. However, the primary responsibility for funding, staffing, accrediting, and developing a state-owned institution rests with the State Government.

When government establishes a public tertiary institution, it assumes the responsibility of ensuring that the institution operates at the required standard. Community support should complement government efforts—not replace them.

A properly funded and accredited polytechnic will eventually generate internal revenue, attract students from across Nigeria, stimulate local businesses, create employment, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

It is therefore an investment that will ultimately benefit the government itself.

Your Excellency, the people of Mgbakwu and indeed Awka North have consistently demonstrated political goodwill and unwavering support for your administration.

During both your first and second governorship campaigns, the area mobilised massively in your support. Community leaders, stakeholders, political office holders, youths, women, and supporters worked tirelessly for your electoral success.

The Executive Chairman of Awka North Local Government, Honourable ThankGod Anagor, himself a son of Mgbakwu, played a significant role in mobilising grassroots support throughout the local government area.

That overwhelming support reflected the confidence many people placed in your leadership and their expectation that the development of Awka North would receive corresponding attention.

Early last year, after receiving repeated appeals from stakeholders within the Polytechnic and members of the Mgbakwu community, I personally discussed these concerns with the Local Government Chairman.

He informed me that he had already brought these matters to your attention and expressed confidence that the issues would receive greater attention after the governorship election.

Today, with the election concluded and your renewed mandate secured, the expectations of the people remain high.

Reports reaching many stakeholders indicate that the Polytechnic continues to face pressing challenges relating to infrastructure, funding, staffing, and accreditation requirements. Time is of the essence if the institution is to realise the vision upon which it was established.

Your Excellency, this letter is therefore not written to criticise for the sake of criticism.

Rather, it is a sincere appeal for continuity in governance.

History remembers leaders who not only built new projects but also ensured that existing public investments fulfilled their intended purpose.

I therefore respectfully urge your administration to:

* Prioritise the full revitalisation of Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu.

* Fast-track all outstanding accreditation requirements for its academic programmes.

* Strengthen funding, staffing, and infrastructure to enable the institution operate at full capacity.

* Revive and modernise Purity FM, Mgbakwu, restoring it as an important public communication platform.

* Accelerate the broader development plan for communities within the Awka Capital Territory, particularly Awka North, in line with the original vision of expanding balanced development across the state capital region.

Your Excellency, leadership is often measured not only by what is newly built but also by what is preserved, strengthened, and transformed for future generations.

I believe that with your academic background, administrative experience, and commitment to excellence, your administration possesses both the capacity and the opportunity to consolidate the worthy achievements of previous governments while delivering your own lasting legacy.

The people of Awka North do not seek special treatment.

They seek inclusion.
They seek continuity.
They seek the fulfilment of promises embedded in public institutions established for the benefit of present and future generations.

I respectfully trust that this appeal will receive your kind consideration and prompt action.

May God continue to grant you wisdom, strength, and good health as you continue to serve Ndi Anambra.

Respectfully,
Obinna Sunday Ejianya
Publisher, 9News Nigeria
(Nine Communications Nigeria Limited)