*Drops ‘His Excellency’ appellation
By Myke Agunwa
Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the governor-elect in Anambra State, said he is dropping the appellation “His Excellency” from his name.
Doing so, according to him, to underscore that his government would be stripped most of the high-power officialdom associated with government officials in Nigeria.
He would prefer to be called by his first name, Charles or Charlie, or should go for his alias, ‘Charlie Nwa Mgbafo’, while advising those who still prefer to be official, to make do with “Mr. Governor”.
Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who won the Anambra governorship election on November 6, gave the indication of the tone of his government at the inauguration of his 80-man Transition Committee.
The team, is chaired by the former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, and has renowned political-economist, banker, politician and public affairs commentator, Pat Utomi; former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Anselem Odinkalu.
Also, the Committee is parading former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association and foremost human rights activist, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), among several heavy weight and technocrats, as members.
The committee, was inaugurated at Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu, on Thursday.
At the occasion, the governor-elect, told the assembly that he would prefer personal touch to officialdom, with the first casualty being “His Excellency” tag.
He said: “I was called “His Excellency” a while ago, but may I plead that that “Excellency” tag should please wait for now.
“That is part of what we will discuss in this committee. You may just need to learn how to call me by my name, but if that isn’t good for you, then, may I request that you simply call me ‘Charlie Nwangbafor.
“If that one is so difficult for you that you must be formal in addressing me, then you can address me as ‘Mr Governor”.
He also reiterated to keep every promise he made during the campaigns for his election, saying he would hit the ground running with the implementation of his manifesto, from his inauguration on March 17, 2022, as a contract between him and the people of the state.
Reminding the committee of the huge task ahead, he said his vision was for a better, newer, liveable and industrialised Anambra State.
Insisting that the vision was achievable, he enjoined the members, drawn from the highest level of the professions in Nigeria, to come out with the best workbook that would make Anambra a wonderland in Nigeria.
He said: “My manifesto is not just for campaign, but a contract I have signed with Ndi Anambra and since they have chosen me amongst all the other qualified candidates that contested the last election.
“I am committed to undertake the transformation of Anambra and ensure impactful leadership.
“There is no stopping of my work plan for a better Anambra. Anambra must be transformed to that mega industrialised economy.
“Our roads both in the rural areas and cities, markets, environment challenges, must be addressed”.
