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By Madu Obi Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has urged the organized labour to make a fundamental shift from traditional "protest unionism" to a model focused on national development and wealth creation. Addressing workers during the 2026 workers' day celebration at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the governor called for a more collaborative relationship between the state government and its workforce. "I leave a message with you: our labour unions should head towards development-oriented unionism and do away with protest unionism. I know the origin of unionism. We are in the business of making demands and that is why agreements did not work in the past", he said. According to him, for the state to thrive, labour must become a partner in wealth creation, rather than a mere adversary in negotiations, advising workers to be the change they wish to see. "What have you done as a union to ensure that the workers themselves are delivering their services?, he asked the union officials. "Do your own part; don’t abdicate it", he urged them. Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, Governor Soludo noted that the feedback from his campaigns in Anambra markets had been overwhelmingly one of gratitude, arguing that the state government policies provide a "holistic benefit" to all the nine million residents of the state, including the organized labour force. He also highlighted key achievements in infrastructure, such as in road construction, healthcare especially the free antenatal care and delivery services, as well as economic stability, noting that the South East is officially "back to work, with the end to the 'sit-at-home' syndrome" in the zone. "When we lift the boat for everyone, the Anambra workers are the greatest beneficiaries," the governor stated, affirming his commitment to continued investment. While acknowledging that resources are not infinite, Governor Soludo signaled that more help is on the way for the social sectors, stating that his administration has already recruited more teachers at once, than total numbers in previous administrations. He promised to recruit more teachers as soon as possible, citing education and health as the pillars of Anambra’s future. "When our resources improve, sooner or later, our schools will get more attention- we must prioritize it", Soludo said amidst cheers from the workers. He also did not shy away from the need for reforms within the civil service, adding that to ensure that productivity matches the state's investments, government would intensify the deployment of technology for monitoring worker attendance. "We must reinvent our public service, but people have to show up," Governor Soludo insisted. He expressed his affinity for the workforce while maintaining a firm stance on productivity: "I love the workers. We will get to it, [but] we have to do more to demand for more", he concluded. Speaking on behalf of organized labour, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, emphasized that the core of their struggle remains the pursuit of fairness, dignity, and equity in the workplace. Comrade Nwafor advocated for fair remuneration, job security, and social protection for all members, lamenting that persistent insecurity has continued to weaken the foundation of development, thus forcing many workers into a survival mode. He called for security to be significantly strengthened to protect the workforce, which informed the choice of the theme. While acknowledging the various challenges, the chairman recognized and applauded Governor Soludo for his bold vision for Anambra State, assuring that organized labour would continue to stand with his administration in a constructive manner. The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, among others.

By Madu Obi The Solution Fun City in the heart of Awka, the Anambra State Capital, built by Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo during his first tenure, has become a money spinner for the state, with the management of the outfit smiling to the bank on daily basis. A visit to the unique recreation outfit shows that hundreds of families, both rich and poor within and outside the state, converge in the sprawling 12.7-hectare leisure center to make themselves happy at a token on daily basis. The Fun City boasts of 38-metre Ferris wheel, roller coaster, drop tower, Olympic-sized swimming pool, water slides, indoor arcades, cinemas, virtual reality zones, bowling alleys, and a world-class country club. It competes credibly with the famous Hi-Impact Planet and Giwa Gardens. It does not merely add to the landscape of the state capital, it had also helped transform the skyline of the city. The Solution Fun City has been described as the largest combined amusement and water park complex in the South East. Weekends are usually the busiest in the Fun City as all the sections in the facility are fully in action. While the children are seen having fun in their designated areas, their parents are in the well - equipped country club area doing their show. Although a member of the management spoken to could not give details concerning revenue generation, he simply acknowledged that "business is very good". Despite initial criticism of the project by some government opposition, which described it as a mere amusement part, it has turned out to be one of the best investments ever made in Anambra State since its creation in 1991. "In a country where leisure has long been rationed by income, Solution Fun City dares to ask: what if joy had no gatekeepers? The minimum entry price is ₦400. This is a place for the market woman, the student, the civil servant, and the politician, sitting side by side on the same Ferris wheel, sharing the same view of the sky. Soludo did not build a fun park; he built an argument, made in steel and water slides and cinema screens, that Anambra is open for leisure investment, and that the Southeast can produce world-class infrastructure", another staff of the organization said. According to him, the Solution Fun City, structured as an independent company with a professional board, is designed to survive its creator, with revenues from it expected to fund similar complexes across the other two senatorial zones of Anambra South and North. "That is the mark of a leader who understands the difference between governing and building", he stated, adding that "governing ends when one's term ends and the building continues."

By Madu Obi 2027 presidential hopeful of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Peter Obi, has paid tribute to Nigerian workers, describing them as the backbone of the country and critical to national development. In a message to commemorate International Workers’ Day, Obi commended the resilience and sacrifices of Nigerian workers, noting that despite harsh economic realities, they continue to sustain families, institutions, and the broader economy. He expressed concern over what he described as the declining value of labour in the country, stating that the current minimum wage no longer guarantees even a modest standard of living. According to him, rising inflation, food prices, and transportation costs have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power, leaving many unable to meet basic needs. Obi emphasized that no nation can develop beyond the strength and wellbeing of its workforce, stressing that productivity and progress are rooted in the quality and commitment of human capital. He warned that when workers suffer, the nation inevitably bears the consequences, noting that empowering workers would lead to national prosperity. The former governor of Anambra State also highlighted the political power of workers, urging them to utilize their voice and vote to influence governance. He also called on Nigerian workers to support leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion, encouraging them to reject corruption, poor governance, and divisive politics, insisting that collective action can help build a nation where hard work is respected and fairly rewarded. He reiterated that a truly productive nation must be founded on justice, fairness, and respect for labour, urging citizens to work together towards achieving such a society.