Anambra 2021: Footballer, Musician’s Father and 8 other Facts about Charles Soludo, APGA’s Gov Candidate
Many Nigerians mainly know Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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However, beyond heading the nation’s apex financial institution, there are many other things to know about the economics scholar who is seeking to succeed Willie Obiano as the governor of Anambra state.
Source: Facebook
Ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra, here are 10 more facts you might not know about the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
1. First-Class Economics Graduate
Soludo (born July 28, 1960, in Isuofia- Aguata, LGA, Anambra state) studied Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He bagged B.Sc (First Class Hons) in 1984.
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For his National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC), he served between 1984 and 1985 at the Department of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife.
2. Best Graduating Student: Undergraduate/Postgraduate
For his first degree, the former CBN governor clinched the Departmental and Faculty prizes as best graduating student.
Soludo also bagged his PhD (1989) Econometrics/Monetary Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and won the Vice-Chancellor’s award.
3. Worked as a university lecturer for 15 years
Though he is known as a public policy expert and politician, Soludo spent 15 years working as a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ((February 1988- July 2003).
4. Authored over 82 scholarly publications
As an academic, Soludo has authored over 82 scholarly publications, over 220 conference papers and technical reports and authored, co-authored or edited many books.
5. Worked for many international financial institutions, including IMF, World Bank and AfDB
The APGA’s governorship candidate also worked as a consultant for the African Development Bank (AfDB), Abidjan, The World Bank, Washington DC, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington, DC, and so on.
6. Appointee of two presidents from different parties (PDP and APC): Obasanjo and Buhari
Soludo was ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Chief Economic Adviser from July 2003 to May 2004. In 2019, he was also named a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council.
7. Soludo’s quest to rule Anambra
This is not the first time Soludo will be seeking to be the governor of Anambra. In 2010, he contested in the Anambra state governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
8. A very good footballer
Well, this will leave many people surprised. In an interview published by The Guardian in 2016, Soludo said he was a very good footballer but had to “literally hide to play football.”
He said:
“The pressure was for you to go to school, get a job and help your parents to train your younger ones. Football or music was considered “useless” as most people could not imagine how people could earn sustainable livelihood from any of them. Not anymore!”
9. Has a musician son
One of Soludo’s children, Ozonna, is a musician. In the previously referenced interview, Soludo spoke about his son’s choice and why he allowed him to venture into the music industry.
Asked if he was at home with Ozonna’s choice of career, the renowned economist said:
“Sure! I am very much at home with it and I fully support him. Don’t forget, it is his life, not mine. I made my choice and live with it—for better or for worse. He has chosen his, and my job is simply to support and pray for him. I often find it funny when people ask me: “why did you allow him to go into music?” I often answer by retorting: ‘Is it for me to choose or for him to choose his career?’”
Soludo said his son’s music is “inspiring, timeless and beyond borders!”.
10. Married to Nonyelum Frances Soludo
While Professor Soludo maintains a public/popular profile, his wife, Nonyelum Frances Soludo, the potential First Lady of Anambra state, maintains a relatively unpopular profile.
Soludo hails 102-year-old woman backing him to become Anambra governor
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Professor Soludo hailed a 102-year-old woman, Iyom Josephine Ezeanyache, for attending his interactive session with Anambra residents in Abuja.
In a Facebook post on Monday, October 25, Soludo said the old woman said she has been a member of APGA since the party was formed.
The former CBN governor said the woman patiently listened to her presentation on Sunday, October 24.
Source: Legit.ng
