Shettima praises Soludo’s nation building as second term begins in Anambra

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday commended Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, describing him as a public intellectual whose contributions have strengthened Nigeria’s political and economic discourse.

Shettima made the remarks in Awka while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration and swearing-in of Soludo and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, for a second term in office.

He noted that Soludo has distinguished himself through insightful contributions and practical commentaries on national issues, which have enriched governance and encouraged collaboration across political divides.

According to the Vice President, the people of Anambra, by returning the governor to office, have effectively renewed “a covenant with competence and consolidation.”

Shettima described the former Central Bank governor as “a man of ideas and honour,” noting that he assumed leadership at a time of deep political division but chose a path of constructive engagement and national unity.

“The policies of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, have benefited from the candour, specialist insight and patriotic counsel of this distinguished economist, this restless thinker, this public intellectual of uncommon range, both in open fora and in private conversations,” he said.

“That is what it means to be in the business of nation-building. It means placing the welfare of the federation above the vanity of partisan fences and understanding that Nigeria is too precious a vessel to be abandoned to the storms simply because the rowers wear different colours.”

He added that Soludo’s leadership style reflects a commitment to bridging divides, while also highlighting the importance of teamwork, noting: “Leadership is not only about the brilliance of the man at the top, but also about the steadiness, loyalty and discipline of those who help translate vision into order, and order into progress,” expressing confidence that the governor’s second term would consolidate gains and deepen reforms.