Soludo’s administration has introduced a new approach to governance that goes beyond traditional welfare programs. This idea combines compassionate leadership with innovative policies to create a system where no one is left behind. At its core, Soludo’s neo-welfarism is about empowering children, young people, and the most vulnerable citizens, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that Ndi Anambra benefits from the state’s progress in a sustainable manner.
Soludo’s idea is a modern, people-centered governance model that prioritizes:
1. Social Protection: By providing safety nets for the elderly, children, and pregnant mothers through initiatives such as workers’ welfare, pension reforms, free education, and free antenatal and delivery services.
2. Economic Empowerment: By creating opportunities for youth, women, families, and small-scale entrepreneurs through programs like One Youth – Two Skills, digital skill training at the Solution Innovation District, distribution of economic seedlings to families, microgrants for small businesses and cooperative societies, as well as tax exemptions for petty traders and okada riders.
3. Inclusive Development: By ensuring that development projects reach even the most underserved areas, helping to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.
Key Pillars of Soludo’s Neo-Welfarism:
1. Workers’ Welfare: Soludo has cleared four years of gratuity for state civil servants and addressed pension backlogs for local governments up to 2020. He swiftly implemented a minimum wage of N82,000 and introduced a monthly, non-taxable cash award of N10,000 for pensioners, ensuring they live a good life. In 2023, he increased the salaries of civil servants by 10%, provided portable water as a social good, and ensured that retirees from 2022 are paid their pensions and gratuities promptly.
2. Free Healthcare: This program offers free antenatal care, delivery services, cesarean sections, and health insurance for the most vulnerable groups, including commercial service drivers. So far, 102,643 women have benefited from free delivery service, and 344 have received free cesarean sections in public hospitals.
3. Youth Empowerment: Soludo has launched programs like One Youth – Two Skills to equip young people, with 5,000 youths trained and empowered with N2.5 billion, resulting in 3,000 declaring themselves Solution Youth Millionaires. An additional 8,300 youths are currently undergoing training and are set to receive start-up grants. Furthermore, 30,000 youths in Ndi Anambra have been trained in various digital skills at the Solution Innovation District, and the 1 Million Digital Tribe initiative has been launched to make Anambra youth competitive both locally and internationally.
4. Regenerative Agriculture: The Soludo administration has distributed 2.2 million palm, coconut, and other economic seedlings to families and farmers. The Farm to Feed program has been launched to boost food security and increase income for farmers and families.
5. Educational Support: In addition to upgrading and equipping schools and building 22 Smart Schools, Soludo’s declaration of free and quality education in all public schools puts money back into the pockets of families and helps bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. He also provides subsidies for mission schools.
6. Grassroots Development: Soludo has made 648 km of roads motorable under the zero pothole program, completed 11.8 kilometers of erosion control work, rehabilitated five large urban water systems, and established 15 small town water schemes and 109 rural water schemes. A total of 746 km of roads have been awarded for construction, with 462 km fully asphalted with a stone base, connecting Anambra into a unified community. He has taken infrastructure like roads, schools, and healthcare centers to underserved areas, including Okpoko, AwbaOfemili, and Olumbanasa.
Soludo’s neo-welfarism is not just about policies; it is about people. It is more than a mere governance style; it is a blueprint for a compassionate government. By prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable, his administration demonstrates that empathy can drive meaningful change. Governance is not just about numbers; it is about lives, and neo-welfarism ensures that Ndi Anambra feels the positive impact of this administration. This principle is further reinforced by Soludo’s rejection of a World Bank loan designed for the few.
Soludo’s neo-welfarism represents a shift in how governance is perceived and practiced. It showcases the power of empathy, innovation, and compassion in transforming lives and building a better future.
As Anambra continues to lead under this model, it stands as a beacon of hope and a shining example for Nigeria and beyond.
