Following his inauguration on Thursday as the new governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, in fulfillment of his campaign promise, became the first governor in Nigeria to use Innoson vehicle, a Nigerian made automobile, as his official vehicle.
By this singular action, in addition to vigorously pursuing a policy where every child of school going age is in school, the new governor is set on making Anambra State a model state not just in the whole of the southeast but Nigeria at large.
It would be recalled that Soludo in a statement made while he was still governor-elect, said, “Igbo land is one and we must protect it. We want to bring back the zeal of patronizing our own. I have said it even during campaigns, and I meant it, that if I win, the official car of the governor of Anambra State will be Innoson motors.”
He proved to be a man of his word when during his inauguration an IVM jeep was used to convey him to the venue as his official vehicle as governor of the state.
The Governor had severally expressed interest in promoting made-in-Nigeria products as seen in his wearing of outfits made by local designers and stating firmly that to induce growth we must support our own.
He stated that the Anambra government will only patronize ‘Made in Anambra products, except in cases where there is no “Made in Anambra alternative.”
According to analyst, the use of a locally manufactured car would greatly reduce the cost and amount that is spent on importing vehicles, particularly at a time when inflation is at its highest level in developed economies like the US.
This could in turn allow the state budget and allocation from the federal government to be used to satisfy other important needs that the state may have. It is unarguably a cost-effective decision.
The move by the governor to use locally made vehicle could also serve as a boost for local manufacturers, hence improving the Nigerian automobile sector.
At his inaugural speech, the governor reiterated his commitment in ensuring that every child of school going age is in school, his speech, the governor said that the Government would not rest until every child that is of schooling age is in school, when the cost of living is down to near zero, when the people have access to health care amongst other promises.