By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on Monday, named the newly-commissioned road leading to the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, after his immediate predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano.
The new road, now christened “Willie Obiano Boulevard”, stands as a monumental tribute to the former governor, whom Soludo described as “a man who did his best” for Anambra and who deserves to be remembered and honoured for his numerous contributions to the state’s development.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Governor Soludo said the event was more than symbolic, adding that the naming of the road after ex-Gov Obiano is a message of unity, maturity in leadership, and a sincere gesture of continuity that celebrates those who have contributed to the growth of Anambra.
“Today, we celebrate one of our own —Chief Willie Obiano. He did his best. The airport, the ICC, and many other legacies. We must appreciate him and send a message, not only to him but to all past governors of Anambra State. They must be appreciated and immortalized,” Governor Soludo stated.
Describing leadership as a relay and not a competition, the Governor emphasized that governance must be about building on the legacies of the past while charting new courses for the future. He stressed that he is not in office for accolades or personal glorification, but to fulfil the mandate he voluntarily applied for—to transform Anambra into a livable and prosperous homeland for all.
“To me, the state is one constituency. Therefore, everyone and every area must be carried along. We are building Anambra and its children for the future. Let history remember that we honoured our heroes, united our people, and laid a foundation that could not be shaken,” he added.
Governor Soludo further used the opportunity to spotlight the efforts of his administration to take development to every corner of the state, including areas that had long been neglected by successive governments.
He recalled his visit to Okpoko, where he launched numerous life-impacting projects to transform the slum into a habitable urban area. He also mentioned Olumbanasa, a riverine community that had never hosted a sitting governor until his visit, as well as Enugu-Otu Aguleri, where he said he wept publicly upon seeing the decades of infrastructural neglect suffered by the community.
“I cried publicly when I went to Enugu-Otu for the first time. Past governments may have ignored it due to the difficult terrain, but that must change. We are working to ensure that no part of Anambra is left behind,” the Governor stressed.
He also highlighted the construction of new roads and bridges aimed at linking Eziagulu-Otu, Mkpumnando, Enugu-Otu, and other hard-to-reach areas, noting that his government’s approach to development is inclusive, people-focused, and non-selective.
Paying glowing tribute to Chief Willie Obiano, Governor Soludo particularly lauded his vision and courage in initiating landmark projects such as the International Convention Center (ICC), Awka, and the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri—both of which he described as transformational infrastructures that have redefined the outlook of the state.
The Governor likened the newly-named Willie Obiano Boulevard to Bill Clinton Drive that leads to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, describing it as “a fitting and well-deserved tribute to a man who dared to dream and deliver.”
The gesture, he explained, is part of a broader commitment to recognize and preserve the legacies of past leaders who left positive footprints in the sands of Anambra’s history.
Present at the occasion included the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme; Deputy Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Chinedu Nwoye; former House of Representatives member, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe; former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Community Affairs, Chief TonyCollins Nwabunwanne; Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka.
Others include Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi; State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji; veteran Nollywood star and Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Entertainment, Leisure, and Tourism, Hon. Dr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu; Traditional Ruler of Umueri community, H.R.H. Igwe Sir Ben Emeka, among others, who unanimously hailed Governor Soludo for the uncommon maturity, unity-driven leadership, and appreciation of his predecessor’s works.
They described the move as a bold and rare demonstration of statesmanship, even as they expressed hope that the gesture would usher in a new era of political harmony, mutual respect, and collective commitment to Anambra’s progress.
