Tinubu promises to review railway master plan to include Anambra

…bags chieftaincy title of Dikesimba of Anambra

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, promised to revisit the national rail master plan to include Anambra State that was originally excluded from the project.

The president made the pledge in Awka, Anambra State, where he promised to address key developmental challenges confronting Anambra State and the Southeast Region.

The infrastructural projects include erosion, underutilisation of gas reserves and Anambra’s exclusion from the National Rail Master Plan.

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Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesman, in a statement, said Tinubu, speaking at a civic reception held at Alex Ekwueme Square during his State visit, President Tinubu assured the people of Anambra of the Federal Government’s commitment to upgrading road infrastructure and fostering stronger national unity through inclusive development.

The president, in his response to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s requests, acknowledged the persistence of abandoned federal road projects in the Region.

He emphasised the strategic importance of completing roads linking Anambra to Kogi State to facilitate easier access to the South-South and Abuja.

“Abandoned federal road projects that link Anambra to Kogi then can become the fastest gateway between Abuja and Anambra South and South-South. I agree,” he said.

President Tinubu addressed the State’s exclusion from the National Rail Master Plan, assuring residents that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would rectify the omission.

“I am standing before you to say that the Ministry of Transportation is aware and will include the connection in the Master Plan and give it attention,” the President stated.

The president pledged federal support for ecological investments to tackle erosion and acknowledged the State’s vast gas reserves, noting that its omission from the National Gas Master Plan would also be addressed.

Commending the State Government’s efforts in improving security, President Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with Anambra and the Southeast to ensure peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

‘‘With our progressive ideological alliance, we will continue to partner with your state to deliver shared prosperity in Anambra and to all Nigerians.

‘‘As your President, I have always said and am saying the same thing now: In our national anthem, we sing, “Though tribes are tongues may differ in brotherhood, we stand.

‘‘We will continue to be brothers. We are one family, a single family, diverse, living in the same house called Nigeria. We are only staying in different rooms. Our diversity must lead to prosperity. We must work together to be a united Nigeria,’’ he said.

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Tinubu also expressed deep appreciation for the chieftaincy title “Dikesimba of Anambra State”, conferred on him by traditional rulers of the State in recognition of his contributions to national development and unity.

The Traditional Ruler of Obosi and Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, conferred the title.

He also recalled a 2005 title, “Omenife of Awka,” bestowed on him by Eze Gibson Nwosu.

During the visit, President Tinubu inaugurated the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, an academic centre named after the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

President Tinubu also toured and inaugurated multiple components of the Solution Fun City in Awka, including the Anambra Country Club, Family Fun House, Water Park, and Amusement Park, which were built by the Soludo administration.