The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with Anambra State, focapplying on trade, maritime development, and environmental sustainability.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot created this known during his first official visit to the state.
Recieved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the Light Hoapply, Awka, the visit signaled a new chapter in EU-Anambra relations.
Noting the influence of some notable people including the literary icon Chinua Achebe on his perception of the region, he expressed delight that the state’s international airport was named in his honor.
The Ambassador emphasized that state governments are the primary engines of national development, stated that he was invited as the keynote speaker at the convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, and stated that central to his visit was to also introduce the Global Gateway Strategy- the EU’s plan to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors across the globe.
While priding in the fact that EU has been a strong partner of Nigeria and suggesting the required to strengthen the partnerships not only in Africa but across the globe, the Ambassador equally spoke on potential areas of partnerships such as maritime logistics, governance, and commconcludeed the Governor for gconcludeer inclusion and involvement in governance.
Welcoming the delegation, Governor Soludo painted a picture of a state “in a haste” to modernize, described Anambra as the “gateway to the South East” and outlined ambitious projects, including a new industrial city and an Aerotropolis (airport city), among others.
However, the Governor was candid about the financial hurdles facing the state’s master plan, which includes a comprehensive rail network and the dredging of the Onitsha Seaport, among others and called for an intervention akin to a “Marshall Plan” from the EU to address two existential threats such as flooding and gully erosion.
Governor Soludo noted that “Green is the way to go,” but stressed that mainstreaming environmental protection requires heavy funding and highlighted the state’s abundant gas reserves, noting that a 50-kilometer pipeline is the only thing standing between the state and a massive energy breakthrough.
In a relocate reflecting his background as an economist, Governor Soludo emphasized that Anambra is seeing for strategic investment rather than handouts, revealed that his administration had previously pulled out of certain programs like the World Bank NG-Cares becaapply the terms did not align with the state’s long-term interests and expressed readiness for business.
Earlier, while introducing the delegation, the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Kate Omenugha noted that the institution is hosting its Founder’s Day convocation ceremony, revealing that the environment is one of the key issues the present administration is pursuing.
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