High Expectations, As First Tourist Town Debuts in Anambra

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

No fewer than fifty thousand new direct jobs will soon been created in Anambra State, following the arrival of the Soulcity project in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the State.

The Executive Director of Soulcity Integrated Resource Ltd., Chief Nnamdi Nwokoye, disclosed this while speaking at the groundbreaking and unveiling of the new smart mega city in Obosi.

The well-attended event, which held on Tuesday, September 17, was graced by community members and leaders, as well as top government functionaries, both at local, state, and federal levels, who gathered to witness the groundbreaking that marked the official commencement of construction at the new smart city.

Located close to the 2nd Niger Bridge, at the serene heartland of Obosi, the Soulcity (nicknamed “Tourist Town”) will comprise a massive tourist centre, a wonderland, shopping malls, centre for arts/culture, residential areas, water resort areas, hospitals, hotels, schools, amusement parks, markets, and a mini stadium, among other facilities that make it stand out among others.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Chief Nwokoye, said the new city would be one of a kind in Anambra State, Southeast, and Nigeria at large, given its masterful and touristic design, massive potentials, and general aesthetics, coupled with availability of 24-hour power supply and airtight security.

While commending the state government for its collaboration and enormous support so far to the project, Chief Nwokoye, who said he had lived many years of his life in Lagos, explained that his vision to embark on the project and his choice of Anambra as its location were inspired by Governor Chukwuma Soludo's “Akụ Ruo Ụlọ” (Think Home Philosophy) advocacy, and the corresponding transformation that is ongoing in different sectors of the State since his assumption of office.

According to him, the project will complement the efforts of the state government and also boost the state's economy in several ways. This, he said, is in addition to over fifty thousand direct jobs and over hundred thousand indirect jobs that will be created by the project that will attract investors from different parts of the world. Further in giving the overview of the project, he said the Soulcity, which is a smart city, has every outstanding feature of a first-class smart city, such that one can also comfortably stay therein for more than five years and do everything he wants, without going outside.

While calling on Ndị Anambra and investors from all over the world to come and invest in the Soulcity, Chief Nwokoye also re-emphasized the need to encourage and support the thrive and more of such investment and developmental initiatives, and do away with anything that is investment-unfriendly, so as to help beam Anambra's light and potential brighter to the world.

Earlier performing the groundbreaking on behalf of the Governor, the State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, described Soulcity as a welcome and auspicious development, adding that it also came at the right time when Governor Soludo's vision for Onitsha 2.0 is already taking the center stage, which will definitely increase the needs and demands for landed property, residential houses and other such facilities in the entire area, including Obosi, which is one of the closest towns to Onitsha. He described the Soulcity Obosi as an idyllic and serene destination, particularly citing the scenic waterways in the vicinity, even as he encouraged individuals and organisations to seize the opportunity to invest in the region.

According to the Commissioner, the project also aligns with the Governor's “Akụ Ruo Ụlọ” advocacy, and his strides to further harness the investment potentials and higher drive the tourism sector of the State.

While commending the Ndị Anambra who have embraced the ‘Think Home’ philosophy, Commissioner Onyenji, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Jerome Iloka, further reassured the Management of the Soulcity and all the current and potential investors of government's continuous support, investment-friendly environment and adequate protection of their investments in Anambra State. He also re-emphasized the Solution Government's open-handedness to welcome many more investors, both from within and outside the country, as the State is speedily on the progressive rise.

On his own part, the Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Onitsha Area Office, Mr. Suleiman Nicholas, noted that the agency has granted all necessary approvals to the Soulcity Integrated Resource Ltd., permitting the siting of the facilities and their seamless and efficient operations in the area, especially the parts that have to do with waterways.

While commending the level of collaboration and relationship between the investors, the government and other relevant stakeholders; Mr. Nicholas also noted that the Authority is taking proactive measures to maintain the waterways in good condition and ensure their safety and viability for activities. He also expressed confidence that the development of Soulcity would not only enhance economic activities in the region but also elevate the state's status as a hub for modern infrastructure and investment.

Speaking on behalf of the community and land owners in the area, a stakeholder in the community, Ogbueshi Chris Ezeolu expressed gratitude to the investors for choosing Obosi as the site for the Soulcity project, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth and social transformation in the area. He assured the investors of the community’s continuous support and solidarity in the project, while also urging the government to prioritize community youths in job opportunities to created by the project. The octogenarian further expressed optimism that the development would attract and spark off more investments to the region, thereby making Obosi a model for sustainable urban growth; even as he also called for cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure the project's success and sustainability for the benefit of all, both in the present and future generation.

Also graced by the Director of Diaspora Affairs and Entertainment, Mrs. Nneka Nwankwo; the Public Relations Officer, Ifeyinwa Ogwo, and other top personalities from the State Ministry of Culture Entertainment and Tourism; the official unveiling of the Soulcity project, by the Governor's representative, formed the high point of the event.

More photos from the event: