₦airaland Forum

OreMI22:
I came across claims on social media that Governor Soludo is planning to build another airport in Anambra State. Can anyone with credible information confirm whether this is true or simply misinformation?

If there are indeed plans for another airport, I believe the proposal deserves careful public scrutiny.

Building an airport is far more than constructing a runway. Aviation infrastructure must meet stringent safety and regulatory standards, while attracting airline operators depends on commercial viability, passenger demand, and supporting infrastructure. Governments cannot compel private airlines to operate routes that are not economically sustainable.

Anambra already has the Chinua Achebe International Airport at Umueri, while Asaba International Airport is roughly one to two hours away by road for many parts of the state. Rather than building another airport in such close proximity, it may be more prudent to continue developing the existing airport into a fully competitive passenger and cargo hub with modern cargo terminals, maintenance facilities, logistics infrastructure, and better transport connections.

Major Nigerian commercial centres illustrate this approach. Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Port Harcourt each rely primarily on one major international airport that has received continuous investment over the years, rather than building multiple airports within short driving distances of one another.

If the Anambra State Government has substantial resources available for infrastructure, there are arguably many higher-priority projects that could deliver broader economic benefits.

For example, Lagos has invested heavily in urban mass transit through the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system, including the Blue Line and Red Line, to reduce congestion and improve mobility. Addis Ababa transformed urban transportation by building the Addis Ababa Light Rail—the first modern light rail system in sub-Saharan Africa—which now serves hundreds of thousands of commuters. Abuja has also developed the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, connecting the city centre with the airport corridor and laying the foundation for future expansion. These examples demonstrate how strategic rail investments can stimulate economic growth, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the quality of urban life.

Anambra could similarly explore developing an urban rail or light rail network linking Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and neighbouring commercial centres. Such a system could significantly reduce road congestion while supporting commerce and industrial development.

Beyond rail transport, several other infrastructure priorities could have a transformative impact on the state's economy:

Dualize major highways and construct additional flyovers to eliminate traffic bottlenecks.
Develop independent power plants that utilize the state's natural gas resources to improve electricity supply for industries and households.
Encourage investment in modular refineries and downstream petroleum industries where commercially and environmentally viable.
Redevelop commercial districts by constructing modern shopping centres with adequate parking, sanitation, fire safety systems, and recreational facilities, reducing pressure on aging markets such as Onitsha Main Market.
Collaborate with neighbouring states and the Federal Government to improve rail connectivity between Onitsha, Enugu, and the Onne Port corridor, making it easier for imported goods to reach commercial markets.
Build modern intercity bus terminals in Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi similar to those recently developed in cities such as Umuahia and Enugu.
Invest in world-class universities, teaching hospitals, research centres, and specialist medical facilities that can attract professionals and reduce medical tourism.
Upgrade Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University with modern laboratories, lecture halls, student accommodation, and research infrastructure.
Encourage private investment in internationally rated hotels, convention centres, and tourism infrastructure to support business travel and conferences.

Anambra remains one of Nigeria's most commercially vibrant states, but significant investments are still needed in transportation, healthcare, education, energy, urban planning, and industrial infrastructure.

For these reasons, if another airport is indeed being proposed, I believe the government should clearly explain the economic justification, projected passenger demand, financing model, expected return on investment, and how the project compares with other pressing infrastructure priorities. Transparent public engagement would help citizens understand why another airport should take precedence over projects that many may consider more urgent.

gidgiddy:
Well known human rights Lawyer, activist and social commentator, Malcom Omirhobo, has taken to his X account to reveal his thoughts on Gowon as He turns 90. He said:

THE TRUE OBJECTIVE OF THE NIGERIAN CIVIL
WAR WAS NOT TO UNITE NIGERIA BUT THE
CRUDE OIL. BY CHIEF MALCOLM
EMOKINIOVO OMIRHOBO .


The true objective of the Nigerian Civil War was
not to unite Nigeria but to subjugate the Igbos
steal the crude oil under their control in the
then Eastern Region dominated by the lgbos
and put it in control of the North and pleasure of Britain


To hell with unity ! Are we united today 54 years
after fighting the Oil war called the Nigerian/
Biafra war ? The answer is NO, as you can see
we are at each others throat all the time.We are divided more than ever .

Gowon was a coward and clueless opportunist ,
after he and other Northern military men have
killed their lgbo colleagues in the barracks and
several lgbo civilians for no just cause across
the country, in fear, Gowon moved the Central
bank to the North and he and his co travellers
were set to flee to the North under the Code
Araba with which the North was ready to
secede

Guess what ? Britain our colonial master ,
called Gown back and asked him " you have all
loaf why settle for half " then Gowon started
talking about unity when in actual fact it was
the crude oil that was his objective. Today all
the Oil well in Nigeria are owned by the North
who do not have a single drop of crude oil, they
occupy all top and plum positions in NNPC
while the rest struggle for the crumb.

Empiree:
The State of Palestine Shall Be Restored

Free Palestine

Shomek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc4mSJQOF4w?si=8JFJWjf_OcLJspR9



Source: https://punchng.com/outrage-as-south-african-farmer-kills-two-women-feeds-them-to-pigs/?amp

babasolution:
Looking at the picture of Gowon and BUHARI in London, you can easily tell all that is so wrong with Nigeria.It can be summarised as SLAVERY.

Two former rulers of Nigeria, both have ruled the longest ,both of them about 9 years.yet they can't spend a second in the country they ruled.They are permanently based in their slave MASTER country.These are old men that are like suckling babies,they can't live without whitemans sustenance. Pls in the name of God how can such a country be better or great.A country with babies as rulers, Just forget it,it's simply not happening.

Compare to SA,imagine their former president spending their retirement in Netherlands or Britain.

Nigeria should snap out of that notion that south Africa is white dependent. It's not true.

Nigeria is a million times more white dependent than SA.

Nigerias can't survive on earth without the whiteman, compare the japa rates of both countries.

Nigeria just no be am

Nigeria is just full of white dependent tribes thinking highly of themselves when in reality,they are nothing to write home about

Richtaiwo:

Justiceganduje:
Food

Nchenches:
Igbos need representation of Igbo in the SS zone. It's to the advantage of the Igbos in the SE to have a stake in the SS zone.
Engineer Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu from Owerri zone was not stupeed when he STRONGLY backed the proposal for creation of Njaba/Orlu state in 2006.
It's only minions who don't see the advantages for all in present Imo State.

ChimaAdeoye:
Bia, this man,

I've heard that Governor Hope Uzodinma and other promoters of "Orlu State" have deceitfully included my hometown and many other Anambra towns and communities into their plan without consulting us. For clarity, I am not against the creation of your Orlu State from the Orlu zone of Imo State. However, they must not include other people who would later be discriminated against for not being from the "Orlu zone" once their dubious state is established.

How can you expect to annex us into your dubious state without consulting us and we gain absolutely NOTHING? The capital of the state isn't in Okija, Ihiala, or Ukpor, the name of the state is your hometown (Orlu) and most constituency representation and zones will be owned by Orlu people. So why are you forcefully annexing our lands into your dubious state agenda when we won't even get the state capital territory or anything at all from it?

It's outrageous and evil for Hope Uzodinma and his associates to plot the secret annexation of large parts of Anambra State—towns like Ihiala, Uga, Amaeshi, Umuchu, Achina, Oneh, Nkpologwu, Uli, Akpo, Azia, Umunze, Ihembosi, Okija, Lilu, and communities in Nnewi South LGA including Ukpor, Ebenator, Ezinifite, Unubi, and Ekwulumili—into their fiefdom of "Orlu State" without our consent.

They should create your Orlu State with your Orlu people! Trying to secretly annex us and other Anambra communities into your fiefdom only to later marginalize us as "non-Orlu zone people" is a plan doomed to fail. We are Anambra people and NOT interested in your "Orlu State". Please promote your Orlu State for your Orlu and Owerri people!

Enuf said!

GerogeI:
Nice discussion.
Are you guys aware that Emzor is planning to sink some 28 million USD somewhere in Ogun state, tomorrow she will start a media campaign to involve the rest of us when the usual perfect a sophisticated reason to either take it from her or destroy it.

Governor Soludo should please call that woman and give her free land and a serious advice.

Unbiased1:
I repeat my previous stance. Forget about Akwa Ibom and focus on Igbo land. If Akwa Ibom wants to build a seaport, that's their business.
Johannesburg is the city with largest economy in Africa but it is landlocked. Igbo land currently does not have a seaport but it is possible to build one in Abia in the future, all we need is money to fund the project. Let our people start looking inwards. If one gaint company builds its headquarter in Onitsha, a 15 or 18-floor structure, other big businesses will start thinking about doing same. All it takes it one person to start. Look at what is happening in Nnewi. Its indigenes are always proud to invest at home. If landmark builds one resort in Oguta and turns Oguta to a major tourism hub, someone like Obi Jackson will move to turn Okija to tourism hub, other business men will also start doing similar things in their respective communities. You can look up "Sun city resort" near Johannesburg. Sun City generates far more money than Landmark in Lagos. Thousands of tourists visit South Africa every year just to enjoy themselves in Sun City. Guess what? Sun City does not have a coast line or beach yet it attracts people from all over the world. So you see, forget about Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt and Calabar, Ndigbo have invested in other parts of Nigeria enough, it's time to think home and home alone.

ebufa:
It is left for the government to do the needful by building world class cities and "forming" the huge corporation you are talking about? I am not sure which Igbo economist that worked as a world bank consultant in southeast Asia ( idika kalu or Soludo?) Anyway I am sure Soludo knows about Chaebol corporation like Daewoo and LG and Samsung ,companies that were essentially conceived and birthed by government..........What I am saying is that we business men are like sheep left to graze blindly in the bush...it is left for Soludo to point the way forward! He has the yam and he also has the knife!

The work that man has on his hands is daunting........he is still building gutters and roads , nobody remembers his automobile and pharmaceutical production hubs.................Soludo needs a lot of help to hurry things along but I am not sure he has done enuff to galvanise that much needed help in terms of investment and human capital! Why will Soludo allow Stella okoli to carry the new Emzor factory to otta Ogun state? Give it to Peter Obi sha for getting SAB miller to invest.........though he had some leg with the company prior to him becoming Governor!
Its not all bad but a lot of work needs to be done!

ChimaAdeoye:
Nwanne,

God bless you! God bless Igbo people like you who still reason and are not copycats "follow the bandwagon mentality" like most of our people today.

The generation of Igbos immediately after Nigeria's independence in 1960s thought exactly like the generation of Igbos today. Everything in their own region is undesirable and the only thing they'd like to do is either go up north to drag northern jobs with them or go to Port Harcourt and Lagos to build palatial mansions with absolutely NOTHING in their hometown and places of origin. Then Nigeria happened to them and their properties in the north and other places were either destroyed or confiscated.

After the painful civil war in the 1970s, there emerged a generation of wise Igbo people. Who understood that charity begins at home. Just imagine for a minute if our leaders in the 1970s after the civil war reasoned like this present generation and also abandoned Igboland because the Federal Government and other Nigerians called Igboland "Rebel Territory" Just imagine if there would have been Imo airport, all the industries in Aba, Onitsha and Nnewi. Imagine if we would have secondary schools and universities that enabled most people in this forum now to read and write.

Just imagine what Igboland would have been if the Igbos themselves copied the attitude of the Federal Government and other Nigerians to refuse investing in their own region! That is why i believe that any generation that refused to learn from their history are bound to repeat the same mistakes and suffer the painful consequences of their folly.

Again, i have come to understand that some people must suffer bitter lessons to learn. That is why a feel no pity for the Landmark guy and other Igbos like him dragging other peoples land, while their own remains undeveloped.

abuzz33:
The solution to Igbo resurgence is to build world class cities that have strong service and industrial bases. There are three core cities in igboland. Enugu, Onitsha and Aba. None is inspiring. Go past the space shipped Secretariat building Sullivan built and it's already wearing a forlorn look. Onitsha with it's majestic Niger Bridges and wide expressway then you enter the city and primitive trading everywhere.

The greatness of cities is accumulation of capital both physical and human. Not one Igbo city can boast up to 10 corporations with over 50m in revenue. Not one Igbo city can boast three 10 storey buildings or iconic architecture. This is what happens when you don't have scale and rely on emigration as a strategy.

Soludo understands the importance of cities as an organizational force. Primitivity has to be weeded out. Organized public transport not Keke, organized business districts not out of control street trading. Big businesses form in organized settings not chaos.

Dede1:
Anthony Enahoro had a choice but chose to play stupidity as indicated in the post. When he was confronted in Washington, DC with the same speeches while he was on exile and seemingly a member of NEDECO or whatever it was called or known, the old man wept and begged every Igbo son in the hall at Howard University to forgive him.

I went up to him right in his ugly face and told him I shall take my grudge against him to my grave. The moronic halfwit was the first exponent of starvation as a weapon of war.

ebufa:
you are the one yapping rubbish! I spent 10 years in Onitsha and nnewi and the level of lawlessness was quite challenging! Soludo is trying but he has a lot of work to do to clean out the stables of dung! I call it franchised criminality,this is the reason why criminals find their way to political power easily in the southeast,,,,,,,,we know the past of billionaires like ifeanyi uba( a returnee fugitive from Dr Congo) is it Governor Uzodimma and his 419 past.........or is it Patrick Mbah of Enugu ( who is owing CBN) ....................money is not everything abeg!

ChimaAdeoye:
An Igbo proverb wisely states, "Those who fetch ants-infested firewood should expect a feast of lizards." These Igbo people investing their life's work in troubled parts of Nigeria with heavy anti-Igbo sentiments believe they are wiser than everyone else pointing these things out.

It's important to urge our fellow brothers and sisters to remember their roots, but they must also understand that actions have consequences. Personally, I've grown tired of pleading with our people to change their mindset. They seem solely focused on maximizing profits without considering the risks, diversifying their ventures, or contributing to their home state's development. Let them continue on this path, but they must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. Like the owner of the Landmark Beach Resort now facing repercussions of ignoring warnings of caution and pursuing unchecked greed which ultimately leads to inevitable losses. Today, he has suddenly remembered that he is Igbo with NOTHING to show anywhere in Igboland for his stupendous wealth.

Yet, it's still crucial to continue reminding them to seize opportunities available in Igboland to invest and diversify wisely. Life isn't just about profit and loss. Chinese businessmen once chose to invest in China over Japan, understanding the importance of developing their homeland. Similarly, Igbo individuals fixated solely on profit margins should recognize the pitfalls of blind greed.

nobaga:
No African currency has appreciated or depreciated as fast as Naira.

When the Government means business and clamp down on their cronies and distractors equally, Naira appreciates. Imagine, just by enforcing existing laws and regulations.

Politicians and their cronies have nothing else or productive investment at home to do with Naira. So they keep it and upload it whenever they feel like.

Get serious, American dollars is not our currency. Ban most transactions from the Central Bank to the Bureau du Change like we had in the 80s.

What do they buy with dollars? Junk, used goods, luxurious cars and humongous houses abroad while paying taxes on them to fund schools, police and essential services abroad.

You know the problem. Temporary Crack downs will not solve it. Step on the toes of those who command allocation into their pockets.

Birdbyrde440:
Last week it was trading at N1100/$, this morning it was trading at N1370/$, this evening it is trading at N1240/$.
Even small countries like Ghana don't experience such volatility and I'm beginning to think that truly there are forces in high places orchestrating this volatility because both official and black market rates keep moving up and down, A big nation like Nigeria is not supposed be going through this kind of volatility.
Let CBN open up the previously closed card channels so that people can buy usd and other cryptocurrencies with their cards, put the necessary cap on the amount that can be purchased per day and at the official rate of #1100 instead of using p2p channels whose price is determined by the platform in which trading occurs. Why is this too hard to do?