During his lecture in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Soludo reflected on the dire situation of insecurity he inherited, where eight local governments were completely overrun by violent non-state actors, rendering campaigns and governance nearly impossible. He narrated how his administration took the battle to the criminals, dismantled over 60 camps, and restored normalcy in those areas.
He said his administration didn’t just use guns, but also got interested in finding out the supply chain of criminality and tackling the problem from the root. He blamed fake prosperity messages from certain religious quarters and the harmful roles of Okeite traditionalists, who deceive youths into believing in magical wealth through rituals and criminality. These, he said, are seriously being tackled by the government, resulting in the enduring peace and security in the state.
He further called out parts of Nollywood for perpetuating dangerous narratives about wealth through magic, with assurance that their sins will be forgiven and be free from any consequences that may result from it in later days, when a pastor prays for them — thereby corrupting the mindset of the youth.
Governor Soludo emphasized that ethical leadership must also provide security, adding that it is the bedrock of any meaningful development. He urged all sectors — religious, entertainment, and traditional — to play their part in reorienting the society.
Governor Soludo, who also reeled out his administration’s achievements so far in different sectors of the state — including infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, power and water resources.
The Governor was thereafter, conferred with an award as a ‘Fellow, Ethical Leadership and Security Management’, by the Management of the University, among others awards and presentations from other groups, including the Anambra students in UNN, among others.
