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By Ukpa Ewa | November 11, 2025
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra State, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, has congratulated Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his re-election, describing it as a well-deserved victory for the people of Anambra who have chosen continuity, stability and visionary leadership.
Dr Ihejiofor, speaking in Awka, said Governor Soludo's administration has remained people-focused and committed to transforming the socio-economic realities of the state through prudent resource management and innovation-driven policies.
"It is Ndi Anambra I wish to congratulate for recognizing true servant leadership and sustaining it. Anambra is rising again, the light that was once dimmed is shining bright under Soludo," he said.
He commended the governor for building a governance structure that prioritizes human capital and grassroots development, adding that the re-election was a mandate for deeper transformation.
The commissioner expressed optimism that Soludo's second tenure will bring visible progress across sectors, as the governor has made significant strides in infrastructural development. He particularly mentioned the Homeland Security Law, describing it as a novel framework that empowers the state to tackle insecurity from its roots.
Speaking on the future of the agriculture sector, Dr Ihejiofor said the coming years would witness a "tsunami of private sector inflows" into farming and agro-industrial projects. He noted that the 400-hectare Special Agro Processing Zone and Agricultural Transformation Centre, already under development, would create massive demand for local raw materials, encourage farmer industry integration and boost productivity.
He explained that as the enabling environment for agribusiness continues to improve, farmers will benefit from new funding opportunities, training and access to technologies that promote climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems.
Looking ahead, Dr Ihejiofor said he hopes to see the expansion of urban and vertical farming, greenhouse cultivation and aquaponics systems in the second term, innovative approaches that can enhance food security and maximize land use. He also expressed a desire to see mushroom farming developed as part of a waste-to-wealth initiative, given its high economic and nutritional value globally.
On the progress of Soludo's palm and coconut revolution, the commissioner revealed that seedlings distributed in August 2022 are expected to begin fruiting by 2026, with some early planters already recording results in Orumba South, Orumba North, Awka South, and Anambra East.
"By August 2026, most farmers who received the seedlings should begin harvesting. That will mark the start of a new phase of agricultural prosperity for Ndi Anambra," he said.
Dr Ihejiofor, however, enjoined citizens, corporate bodies and community stakeholders to continue supporting the Solution Agenda, emphasizing that sustainable development requires collective responsibility.
"Let's join hands with Governor Soludo to actualize the vision of building a Dubai-Taiwan of Africa," he added.
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