Ohanaeze Ndigbo Celebrates Charles Chukwuma Soludo @ 62
Ohanaeze Ndigbo under the leadership of Amb. Prof. George Obiozor is happy to join the rest of the world in celebrating an Igbo icon, scholar par excellence, renowned economist, astute administrator, a committed Igbo patriot and pathfinder, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as he attains the golden age of 62years. Prof. Soludo is an uncommon statesman, a stickler for good governance and a firm believer in the principle of equity.
Born on July 28, 1960, Governor Soludo has consistently charted a course of service for the good of humanity. His sterling leadership qualities in managing the affairs of society and embodying the hope of a better society culminated in his well-deserved election as the fifth democratically elected Governor of Anambra State in 2021 even in the face of mounting challenges. Prior to his ascension as the Governor of Anambra State, Soludo had etched his name on the pristine walls of history as a seasoned scholar, administrator and development expert.
A former visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the University of Cambridge, the Brookings Institute, University of Warwick, University of Oxford and Swarthmore College (USA), he had worked as a consultant for a number of international organizations, including the World Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a core professional in macroeconomics having obtained a First Class Honours Degree, Master Degree and Doctoral Degree all from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and winning prizes for the best student at all levels.
Governor Soludo has been trained and involved in research, teaching, and auditing in such disciplines as multi-country macro-econometric modelling, techniques of computable general equilibrium modelling, survey methodology, and panel data econometrics, among others. He has co-authored, co-edited, and authored several books, journal articles and other special publications in the area of his specialty. He was also the former Governor and Chairman, Board of Directors of Nigeria’s Central Bank, member, British Department for International Development's International Advisory Group, member, Nigeria’s Presidential Economic Advisory Committee since 1999 among many other positions he has held in government.
At the Ohanaeze Ndigbo level, Prof. Soludo has demonstrated uncanny commitment and devotion to the Igbo cause in Nigeria; and has courageously advocated for the enthronement of true federalism in Nigeria as a way of addressing the gross injustice against the Igbo in the country. Prof. Soludo is a soldier of conscience and truth, as well as a fearless crusader for justice, equity and fairness. He has meritoriously served Ohanaeze Ndigbo in various capacities and was until recently the Chairman of the Ohanaeze Planning and Strategy Committee. He was central in drafting and presenting the Igbo position in Nigeria at the famous “Awka Declaration” at the Alex Ekwueme Square Awka in 2018 wherein Prof. Soludo remarked that: “The position of Ndigbo is to seek a transformed Nigeria that works for every Nigerian citizen, a level playing field for all Nigerians to enjoy freedom, liberty, fairness, equity and justice to maximize their fullest potential”.
Your Excellency, as you mark your 62nd birthday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the leadership of Ambassador Obiozor wishes you well. Our prayer is that God Almighty will continue to keep you in good health, peace of mind and grant you an uncommon knowledge and wisdom in the service to humanity to which you have been divinely appointed. Congratulations!
Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia is the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.